Yesterday's Lesson

Often at work you find some down time (hence writing this entry) to perhaps converse with Co-Workers via AIM. Today, a Co-Worker of mine asked me a question I believe few ask ourselves and seldom take the time to contemplate in our otherwise "hectic" lives (which aren't so hectic).

"What did you learn today?"

If you were to take the 2 seconds it takes to ask yourself this question and really think about your answer-- I think you'd be surprised at the response you come up with. I think one of the many awesome things about being young and living is the endless lessons we learn each day that carry on into our futures making up our characters. It's realizing the lessons that really help us strengthen those characters and build personas that may withstand any test down the line. Can you learn to appreciate those lessons now, so that later down the line you don't say to your grand kids "If I could go back...and known what I know now...I'd do it this way." It's not about avoiding regret, but embracing that you will flub many times. It's how you look at your flub that says a lot about where you're headed. Do you stay down and hope no one saw? Or do you get back up and run it off, perhaps glance back to see what you tripped on and realize it happens to the best of us?

The lesson I learned yesterday was this: I learned that if I really want to succeed in my life (career and personally) I need to really engage in the activities (and people) I deal with. I've found that a lot of my past has been about getting myself to the next level without appreciating the steps I took to get there. I realized after work that I kind of myself going through the motions rather than actually trying to comprehend what it is that I am doing in the bigger scheme of things. I don't want that to be my role at work or in life. I have a lot of aspirations for myself, and I really feel like the only way I'll succeed is becoming good at what I do. My grandpa always tells me before I hang up the phone with him..."Be the Best" and I think I should really start. There's always room for being better. I'm grateful for where I am..believe me...it feels fantastic, but I'm extremely driven and I enjoy out doing myself. Funny thing is no one puts pressure on me-- I do it for myself. I have this image of where I want to be later in life (as everyone), and I know it's going to take work, but won't happen unless I continue to push myself. it's like working out. I believe there is a difference between being "hard on yourself" and "driven." I believe being "hard on yourself" implies that there is this stressful, almost burdening feeling to accomplish something, whereas "driven" implies taking the set backs and pushing forward despite adversity.

Pretty deep for Monday lesson-- huh?