I was thinking this morning that I would make 2011 ‘The Year of Every Little Thing’. When I mentioned it on twitter my friend, Linda Franklin, responded saying;
‘That sounds like a plan. Every moment counts right? … I keep reminding myself how important this moment is – even when something not so great is going on.’
That got me thinking and I distilled that idea into the quote above. My first thought when she wrote that was actually Stephen Covey’s lesson about Production vs Production Capability. The idea is that you have to produce, it’s true, but if you don’t have the capability to produce you won’t. So not only do you have to figure out how to use your time in action, you have to know how to use your time to find resources, come up with ideas and replenish energy and drive.
So, if you are one of those who think down time is wasted time, think again. Just as muscles need to recover to be of use to you in your next physical challenge, your mind, your heart and your purpose in life ALSO need to rest and recover to be of value.
So, enough guilt about down time, enjoy it and let it replenish you, ok?
“You Can’t Talk Your Way Out Of Things You Act Your Way Into.” – Stephen Covey
I first came across this quote when I was working as an asst. animator at a company making educational software for children. The Art Director and the Producer of the product had dug themselves big holes by their behavior and were trying to talk, instead of act, their way out of it. It was perfect timing to find the quote. But as with all perfect things directed at others I soon found it was just as applicable to me, not at work, but in my personal life.
I think many men, maybe women too, but I see it more often in men, believe the words they speak, the ones that exhalt the moral, the good, the noble. But that man isn’t nearly as adamant when the situation arises where he has act in those same ways instead of immorally or unethically. It’s as if he thinks the words are what count, that he is his words, not his actions.
Truth be told, words do count. But they don’t count if the man can’t back them up with actions. I know that has been a struggle of mine over the years, and I also know how good it feels to have my words and my actions in harmony with each other. I don’t do all that well with it, but the repeated attention to it has brought me closer, and that is how anything is achieved.
Speaking of words, here are the most amazing city names from which the Napkin Dad Daily has had visitors this past week.
