So, due to my day of what seemed to feel like running in place for 8+ hours, I decided to visit two mini chapters. To start with, I selected "Consistency on the Fundamentals". Check it out, and the next paragraph or two of ramblings will make more sense.
Sharma explains that throughout all levels and styles of greatness the re-occurring theme is that these individuals exhibit passionate consistency on their fundamentals. They show up day in and day out, and take care of the 'big rocks'. The things that will set them up for success. In my new role as a Department Head, this is one thing I have been spending a lot of my time working on. Although previous leadership did great things, I tend to have a very particular and detailed look at the fundamentals of any and all organizations. Many fundie tasks (I like that, "fundie") have been neglected, so not only do we need to revisit these neglected tasks, we need to learn how to move forward and manage these tasks weekly, and in some cases daily. I have had to go through all the procedures we use, and take a very critical and analytically look at the processes. Break them down, decide what is critical, recommit to abandoned procedures or implement new ones. This process is incredibly time consuming, especially when you have to stay current with what is going on in the hear and now. Life doesn't slow down for you to catch up. Which is why I understand and accept the craziness of the last few weeks, and probably the next several. I'm establishing my fundies. Which will just set us all up for success in the future. Gotta have the fundies, man.
Second mini chapter I scoped out this evening, "Consistency over Intensity". Oddly and perfectly enough, Brian uses the Personal Training metaphor to help explain this chapter. The number one thing that stuck with him as he trained to be a personal trainer is that consistency is better than intensity. Now that's not to say that once you are consistent, you can't jack up the intensity. But as he says: "It's way better to simply put on your shoes, head out and do a nice, mellow workout, CONSISTENTLY then it is to go all gonzo and then never go back." I have been doing a pretty good job at work, but I need to remember this mini-chapter, all day, everyday; because as I meticulously go through and recommit our fundies, I need to just be consistent. Even if that means that everyday (for awhile) feels like today did. Just pluggin' away. I can't get it all done in one day. Ugh. That was painful to type. But if I'm consistent, things will happen, and I won't burn myself out in the process. So self, although you brought home work and just came in the office to print work related things, and totally got side tracked by blogging/Philosophers notes...it's okay. I've consistently been at it since about 9am today...I think I've done enough. Tomorrow is another day.
So. Conclusion. Consistent Fundies Consistantly. Reminds me of the story of the stonecutter.
A stonecutter hits a rock with his hammer. The stone splits. The casual observer sees this and things, "Wow, That guy is really strong. I can't believe he broke that huge rock with a single blow!"
The reality (obviously) is that the stonecutter didn’t break it in a single blow—he’d been hammering away at that rock for a long time. Many, many blows went into the rock before it finally split.
Most people see someone who has achieved some level of success--whether it’s enlightenment or celebrity status or financial wealth--and think, “Wow, they sure must be lucky.”
Obviously, the stonecutter isn’t strong enough to break a rock in one blow and no one is “lucky” enough to reach any level of excellence without an equally diligent and consistent effort.
So, hit the rockAgain. And again. And again.You will break the rock.
Rock on. Make Tuesday a GREAT one! Much Love.
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