Category: English

We generally know “what” we want. “How” to achieve it, is a different story. At this time of the year we tend to review what has worked well for us and set our minds on doing better in the future. It’s only natural for us to want “more” in life, though this “more” varies greatly for each of us. Following are some examples of what we may want:

MORE love

MORE money

MORE prestige

MORE peace and harmony

BETTER transportation

BETTER relationships

A BETTER house

A BETTER job

What we want comes easily. How to get what we want is more elusive and requires more thought. Fortunately, we can cut any objective into smaller pieces to better determine how to achieve it.

For example, one thing many of us want is more money. “How” to earn more money tends to be fairly simple though not always easy. We simply need to “sell” more of what we offer to the world.

You may be thinking, “I don’t sell anything.” Though initially this may seem to be the case, we all sell something. We sell ourselves every day. We sell our capacity to be a good employee. We sell our ability to be a good friend. We sell the fact we are a good colleague. We sell our capability to be good parents. We are constantly selling. If we want more, we need only sell more!

Here is another example. Let us suppose, what we want is to have a better business relationship with each of our clients to increase our profitability with them. While there are many ways to achieve this, we can start with this question. What does our client really want? Some of the answers might be:

Better attention

Better payment terms

Technical expertise to optimize the use of our product

A product or service which better satisfies their specific needs
With these answers we can begin to create new strategies to provide them with better service, more favorable payment terms, technical support and products which better meet their specific needs. While it’s quite possible we cannot directly influence or provide each of these elements, this process leads us to focus on “how” to give them what they want so we in turn can get what we want.

“How” to achieve any objective depends on each individual and there isn’t a magic answer which works for everyone. One of the most wonderful things about life is that we are all different and there are indeed many means to achieve our objectives. When we clarify “what” we want, we can then determine “how” to achieve it and implement a plan daily to give direction to our destiny.

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL II 44

 

It’s not the rocks in the road, rather what we do with them which makes a tremendous difference in our lives. Obstacles impede some people while they empower others. We can see rocks in the road as barriers to avoid or as opportunities to grasp. When we use the stones in our path as building blocks rather than hindrances. We can ascend rather than descend.

It’s common to believe the difficulties of life inhibit our progress. Yet we see people who achieve great things in life are those who have encountered many rocks in the road and have been able to use them to build, rather than fall under their weight.

When we reflect on our own life, the moments of which we are proudest tend to be those when we encountered and overcame challenge.

What are the stories our parents and grandparents tell?

Are they tales of comfort and convenience?

Or, of trial and tribulation?

The only time we truly have no obstacles is after we are dead. Each living thing must overcome adversity. It could be the need for more water, more sun, more nutrients, or more food. Something is always necessary and it’s the same for every living being. In some way, shape or form we must all move and shake in order to rise and fly.

Think for a moment of all the obstacles you have faced in your life. Some surely have been relatively easy, others particularly difficult. Some have been resolved, others are unresolved. Regardless, we rise with the dawn of each day and to continue to fight in our own way. The days, months and years slip through our fingers and somehow we continue despite all the rocks we encounter in the road.

There are only two alternatives for any challenge we currently face; we will resolve it satisfactorily or not. There is no other option. If we can use our marvelous mind to work it out to our satisfaction, then hallelujah. If not, we need to somehow adjust to the circumstances and carry on.

When we begin to see rocks in the road as an opportunity to get up and go, we can rise and continue. rocks in the road can inhibit or inspire. Each time we trip and fall, we determine our direction and build our character. Facing challenge is a sign we are truly alive. To achieve what we desire is not always easy, though it surely need not be so complex. Stone by stone, we can construct a stairway to heaven rather than to grovel on the ground.

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL II 43