What could have been

That thing you almost did that would have harmed your career…that horrendous car accident you barely avoided…it sounds counter-intuitive and depressing to spend moments contemplating these near tragedies.

But one effective way to amplify gratitude even faster than being thankful for what we do have or did achieve, is considering how fortunate we are for what DIDN’T happen that could have disrupted or even ended our lives.

The fact that you are now alive to tell even one such story is worthy of gratitude.

The equality farce

Treating people as equals and creating equal opportunity despite gender, race, etc. is an admirable version of equality.  But that’s as far as it goes.

Treating all projects, endeavors, and hours of the day with equal importance is a flaw that un-successful, overwhelmed, stressed-out people share. Those who have achieved mastery, fulfillment and are in control of their lives distinguish and prioritize the critical, few, most significant things, from the trivial and unlimited choices for allocating their time and attention.

Focus on what’s most meaningful and significant, and give that the UNEQUAL attention it deserves.

Return on Knowledge

I once heard a business owner tell a consultant that he preferred not to offer training to his employees. “What if I train them and then they leave?!” he said.  I never forgot the consultant’s reply: “Worse still…what if you don’t train them and they stay?”

What a great perspective on investing in sharpening skills for ourselves and others.  Investing in people seldom creates anything other than goodwill, gratitude, and (go figure) upgraded skills.