Last weekend I attended Pam Slim’s amazing Power Boost Marketing Live Event!
While I’m still nurturing the seeds of knowledge planted over that awesome weekend in Arizona. I can’t help but continuously hear the phrase, “writers, write,” over-and-over again ricocheting off the corners of my mind. The same is true for whatever gift it is that you have: painters, paint. Runners, run. Salesmen, sell. You see where this is going.
My question for you is two-fold: what do you do, and are you doing it?
Yesterday I received the news that someone close to a member of my family was just told that they have 12 hours left to live.
This morning I was reminded by my devotional to, “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5: 15-16
The sad news, plus this timely devotional reminder has me examining exactly how I am spending my time. I am now left pondering one simple question: am I making the most of this opportunity?
Am I prepared to make the most of this day…this full 24 hours?
What if I only had 12 hours?
So often we say things like, “there’s not enough hours in the day.” We say this because we’re frustrated that we can’t seem to fit in everything that we have to do, and everything that we want to do into those short 24 hours.
Something deep inside of me knows…that if I had less than a day left to do what I wanted to do and say what I needed to say (I love you), I’d find a way to make it happen. But why don’t I live with that conviction every day?
The professor who changed my life signs his e-mails saying, “Make Today Count!” I’ve adopted this saying and conclude my e-mail messages the same; but today, and my prayer is that everyday, going forward it’s not just something I say, but something that I do.
So go on, make the most of today; but most importantly…
Make Today Count!
Seth Godin calls it “shipping.” Couples call it “commitment.” Friends call it “trust.” Either way…when you do what you say you’re going to do life just feels better.
Is this something I need to work on? Absolutely!
In the past I didn’t really focus on keeping up with my commitments because while I was overextended, believe it or not, I still had the bandwidth to do what I needed to do, and do it very well. These days, I’ve been working a ton on my passion project…you know, the work that makes me come alive. The work that I can get lost in for hours, and I’m not even getting paid to do. My calling. While this is great…the time I use on my passion project spills over into the time I have allocated for other things; and as a result, I’ve found myself slipping.
So…to counteract this, I’ve had to whip out the “P” word. PROMISE. I have a handful of people over the last 60 days in all areas of my life that I told I would do something and I haven’t gotten to it yet. Surprisingly, they are not mad. They know what I’ve been doing in my spare time and are so understanding. However, I know that long-term success comes from doing what I say I’m going to do. Shipping the project, keeping that commitment, and honoring the trust that I have worked hard to earn over the years. So if it takes using the “P” word to course correct…I’m game. All the while realizing that in the grand scheme of things this is not a game. My word is my bond and at the end of the day…those words say a lot about my personal integrity. I want to remain whole and it will start and end with honoring my commitments. It really is that simple.
Are you doing what you’re saying your going to do?
