Getting All Self-Helpy on Your Ass
July 11th, 2008 by jeff
I was thinking to myself yesterday that I am always at my best at the beginning of anything - a job, a relationship, a project. I’m gung ho. I’m full of self confidence and completely focused. Then as my enthusiasm wears off and the grind of the day-to-day sets in, I forget all that stuff my inspired self got me to do. My new bitchy, whiny self is hideously unattractive and makes me want to teleport through time and punch him in the testicles. But, I think if you do that, the universe implodes upon itself or something.
Anyway, in an effort to stem the tide of mediocrity, I decided to make a list of things to tell my future self so that he would know not to be such an idiot - little reminders form a more clear-headed version of Jeff. I then added a reminder to my calendar every month so I’ll be prompted to read it. Oh, and if I don’t, my computer will electroshock me until I do. Harsh but effective.
Here’s the current list. No doubt I’ll add to it as time goes on, but hopefully not so much that it ends up looking like the Texas state constitution. I don’t really want a clause in there about the value of a horse versus a cow anyway.
Tell the truth.
At all times and in all circumstances. Don’t exaggerate and don’t hide. Be honest because those who appreciate you will love you for it. Those who don’t aren’t necessary.
Enjoy your life – have fun.
Life is short. Have as much fun as you can and let yourself be free to breathe deeply and remember how amazing this world is.
Be genuine. You are great as you are.
People love you for YOU, not for who you pretend to be. Being genuine is the same as being confident.
Be focused on what you want and go get it.
Stay on a goal and work at it. It may take time and you may have setbacks, but don’t deviate. Remember during the arena campaign how the mission statement kept you focused and from going crazy.
Trust people to help you.
You love to help people. Let them help you back. Ask for help when you need it and trust people to get it done.
Ask for what you want. Don’t assume.
If you want something, ask for it or just go get it. Don’t make assumptions about what others think or what they are doing. Find out for yourself.
Take chances.
Life wasn’t made for the passive. You love adventure – always have. You know this. Which leads me to…
Be brave.
Try things even when they scare the crap out of you and love every minute of it.
Allow others to have their own lives.
Allow people to have theirs and trust that they know what they are doing. They will respect you for allowing them to be themselves and you’ll respect them for being able to handle it. Remember that not need to control everything is a really attractive quality in a person.
Be healthy.
Drink lots of water. Eat well. Exercise. Breathe.
Find solutions instead of worrying.
You solve problems. Go find solutions. Don’t sit around and worry. It doesn’t fix anything and it’s frustrating for you and others.
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There’s my pep talk for my future idiot self. That guy really needs the help. Trust me.
This is an excellent list. Can you remind the rest of us to come read it once a month too? Then the world will be a happier place.
Be genuine strikes right at my heart. Sometimes I catch myself thinking will this person like this or what if I offended them. I want people (and maybe someday that special someone) to love me for me and not who I pretend to be. That is a profound statement for me.
All the rest are great too. I just ran into the help one the other day. I’ve had someone repeatedly offering to help with the monster meet-up and while I already have her recruited for one job I figured since she keeps asking let me see if she’ll do this other one. I felt a little guilty about it, but she asked and I just decided to take her up on that offer.
Yep, we definitely all need monthly reminders to read this list.