Sometimes your job can wear you out.
No kidding right?
The deadlines, stress, boss, whatever…It can suck the life
out of you and no amount of vacation can balance the anxiety. No matter how much you love what you do, it
just happens. Even if you work for
yourself; the stress is still there.
out of you and no amount of vacation can balance the anxiety. No matter how much you love what you do, it
just happens. Even if you work for
yourself; the stress is still there.
Then it happens. You
have a moment. The thing that reminds
you of why you do what you do. That
glimpse of satisfaction or success that swoops in, just in time, to remind us
why we take the beating each day. Like a
small ray of sun that passes through the clouds; giving us enough hope and
satisfaction to continue to endure.
Those small payoffs are the things that make it all worthwhile.
have a moment. The thing that reminds
you of why you do what you do. That
glimpse of satisfaction or success that swoops in, just in time, to remind us
why we take the beating each day. Like a
small ray of sun that passes through the clouds; giving us enough hope and
satisfaction to continue to endure.
Those small payoffs are the things that make it all worthwhile.
For me, it’s coaching.
Going to work each day, surrounded with talented people or folks that
“know it all”, it’s refreshing to get an opportunity to share my knowledge or
experience with someone who is looking to grow or understand something new. Above
all, I enjoy the passing along of ideas, experience and perspective. It’s certainly not an ego thing, but
reassurance that people still have a passion for growth and forward
momentum. I want to invest in the future
of my craft and in order to do that I need to make sure others, the future, are
equipped with some of the knowledge I have figured out along the way. Not my jaded perspective, but the honest take
on where things are and have been.
Going to work each day, surrounded with talented people or folks that
“know it all”, it’s refreshing to get an opportunity to share my knowledge or
experience with someone who is looking to grow or understand something new. Above
all, I enjoy the passing along of ideas, experience and perspective. It’s certainly not an ego thing, but
reassurance that people still have a passion for growth and forward
momentum. I want to invest in the future
of my craft and in order to do that I need to make sure others, the future, are
equipped with some of the knowledge I have figured out along the way. Not my jaded perspective, but the honest take
on where things are and have been.
I employ you to never pass up a coaching opportunity in
life. Just don’t do it out of ego. Do it
because you care about the advancement and momentum of others. Do it because you want to pass the baton or
allow others to not have to trip and stumble like you did. Do it because people passed on opportunities
to do it for you. One of the reasons I
started writing was because I wanted to pass things along to those that might
gain from my perspective and experience. Especially those who don’t know me or
perhaps those who are too afraid or too proud to ask questions. It feels good when thousands of people read
my blogs, but the true satisfaction comes from the things I can’t measure
through the analytical back walls of my blog or book sales. For me, it comes from knowing that others
might have been able to push through a wall because of something I wrote or
said.
life. Just don’t do it out of ego. Do it
because you care about the advancement and momentum of others. Do it because you want to pass the baton or
allow others to not have to trip and stumble like you did. Do it because people passed on opportunities
to do it for you. One of the reasons I
started writing was because I wanted to pass things along to those that might
gain from my perspective and experience. Especially those who don’t know me or
perhaps those who are too afraid or too proud to ask questions. It feels good when thousands of people read
my blogs, but the true satisfaction comes from the things I can’t measure
through the analytical back walls of my blog or book sales. For me, it comes from knowing that others
might have been able to push through a wall because of something I wrote or
said.
All we have in this world are our experiences and unique
perspective. It’s important that we
share those things with others. It can
be direct or even through a story that pulls from life experience. It doesn’t
matter what you use or how you use it to connect. All that matters is that you are sharing the
valuable information that you have to offer and not squandering it and holding
it captive. Knowledge and life lessons
do nothing for the world when you take them to the grave, so you might as well
unload them on the world while your heart is still beating.
perspective. It’s important that we
share those things with others. It can
be direct or even through a story that pulls from life experience. It doesn’t
matter what you use or how you use it to connect. All that matters is that you are sharing the
valuable information that you have to offer and not squandering it and holding
it captive. Knowledge and life lessons
do nothing for the world when you take them to the grave, so you might as well
unload them on the world while your heart is still beating.
Don’t just wait for the world to ask you for your opinion on
things. Start with asking others to
share their knowledge. No matter how
much of an expert we are, knowledge needs to be equally gained and gifted. There is a fine line between having people
connect the dots on their own and the phrase “let them figure it out
themselves”. You want people to
advance. You NEED others to get passed
the stumbling blocks that hindered you.
We cannot progress without this happening. I’m not saying we need to hand it over and
spoon feed knowledge to others. They do
need to experience things for themselves, but that doesn’t mean we have to sit
and watch them circle the drain because we have a sick desire for some level of
hazing. Manuals and history books are written
for a reason. They help the next group
progress. Your history is uniquely yours
and most people will never write a book, so we might as well share what we got.
things. Start with asking others to
share their knowledge. No matter how
much of an expert we are, knowledge needs to be equally gained and gifted. There is a fine line between having people
connect the dots on their own and the phrase “let them figure it out
themselves”. You want people to
advance. You NEED others to get passed
the stumbling blocks that hindered you.
We cannot progress without this happening. I’m not saying we need to hand it over and
spoon feed knowledge to others. They do
need to experience things for themselves, but that doesn’t mean we have to sit
and watch them circle the drain because we have a sick desire for some level of
hazing. Manuals and history books are written
for a reason. They help the next group
progress. Your history is uniquely yours
and most people will never write a book, so we might as well share what we got.
Truth be told, I've been scared my whole life.
Scared with school, career, choices, getting married,
becoming a father, etc. You name it; almost every experience in life has come
with a certain amount of fear. Fear of
failing, losing, getting fired; break ups, screwing up the kids, etc. The list
goes on. To say that you are not guilty of any of this is a lie. We are all
scared shitless about something. Fear
comes with life. I can't count the number
of times I've thrown up before doing things or skipped meals and lost sleep
over my nerves.
becoming a father, etc. You name it; almost every experience in life has come
with a certain amount of fear. Fear of
failing, losing, getting fired; break ups, screwing up the kids, etc. The list
goes on. To say that you are not guilty of any of this is a lie. We are all
scared shitless about something. Fear
comes with life. I can't count the number
of times I've thrown up before doing things or skipped meals and lost sleep
over my nerves.
In time, certain experiences or events become less scary.
Either through repetition or growth, you eventually weaken their hold over you
or you manage to grow beyond most of your fears.
Either through repetition or growth, you eventually weaken their hold over you
or you manage to grow beyond most of your fears.
Yet, fear is always there. It never completely goes away
and that's good.
and that's good.
My niece stayed with us for a few weeks this summer. I
really enjoy having her visit! I love
her like she's my own and when I look into her eyes; I see a lot of my
brother. It hurts, but the joy of
getting a glimpse of my brother is worth the pain.
really enjoy having her visit! I love
her like she's my own and when I look into her eyes; I see a lot of my
brother. It hurts, but the joy of
getting a glimpse of my brother is worth the pain.
If you have ever been to a theme park or attraction, then
chances are you have ridden something or have avoided riding something that
scares the heck out of you. As we climbed the stairs towards the top of this
very high ride, you could see the tears well up in her eyes. She was scared. Clinging to the handrail as
she took each step, there were moments when I considered letting her off the
hook. I thought about taking her to do
something else, while my wife and kids finished the climb to the top of the
ride, but that would have been a terrible idea. You need to challenge the
things that scare you. Even fun things.
chances are you have ridden something or have avoided riding something that
scares the heck out of you. As we climbed the stairs towards the top of this
very high ride, you could see the tears well up in her eyes. She was scared. Clinging to the handrail as
she took each step, there were moments when I considered letting her off the
hook. I thought about taking her to do
something else, while my wife and kids finished the climb to the top of the
ride, but that would have been a terrible idea. You need to challenge the
things that scare you. Even fun things.
At the height of her fear, I said "Phoebe, I will
guarantee you that this will be your favorite ride of the day". Less than
4 minutes later, at the end of the ride, her teary eyes were gone and replaced
with the biggest smile you have ever seen.
guarantee you that this will be your favorite ride of the day". Less than
4 minutes later, at the end of the ride, her teary eyes were gone and replaced
with the biggest smile you have ever seen.
She didn't want to ride it, but now she's glad she did.
I'm not necessarily telling you anything you don't
already know. We all know that fear needs to be challenged in order for you to
grow. What I am saying is it's pretty
important to be scared and if you are not scaring yourself on a regular basis,
you're not growing. It's so easy to take the coward’s way out and not take on
new experiences or do things differently. You have to keep a certain amount of
butterflies in your stomach. Your palms
need to be clammy. Your blood pressure
needs to be raised and raised often.
already know. We all know that fear needs to be challenged in order for you to
grow. What I am saying is it's pretty
important to be scared and if you are not scaring yourself on a regular basis,
you're not growing. It's so easy to take the coward’s way out and not take on
new experiences or do things differently. You have to keep a certain amount of
butterflies in your stomach. Your palms
need to be clammy. Your blood pressure
needs to be raised and raised often.
I hate making myself do things I don't want to do. Even
though I often write about change and I often ask people to push themselves, I
don't like change just as much as you don't like change. Like most of you, I
would be perfectly content just grinding out my day with no surprises or roller
coasters. Give me the same 9-5 workday where all I do is rubber stamp
things! But you can't live like that.
It's not healthy. That mundane and
cyclical life will eventually kill you. It will make you lazy, stagnant and
lame. At some point you will snap and go crazy.
though I often write about change and I often ask people to push themselves, I
don't like change just as much as you don't like change. Like most of you, I
would be perfectly content just grinding out my day with no surprises or roller
coasters. Give me the same 9-5 workday where all I do is rubber stamp
things! But you can't live like that.
It's not healthy. That mundane and
cyclical life will eventually kill you. It will make you lazy, stagnant and
lame. At some point you will snap and go crazy.
Bully yourself.
Force yourself into scary situations. Put yourself in
what you perceive to be a "harmful" situation. This doesn't mean you have
to jump out of an airplane or wrestle a bear, but you need to challenge the
unknown. Discover and challenge fear in
everyday life. Apply energy towards tackling simple, yet scary, things. Send
that email. Finally ask her out. Raise your hand when they ask "does
anyone have any questions or comments" during a meeting. Again, I'm not telling you anything you don't
already know, but sometimes you just need to be reminded or bullied into taking
the first step.
what you perceive to be a "harmful" situation. This doesn't mean you have
to jump out of an airplane or wrestle a bear, but you need to challenge the
unknown. Discover and challenge fear in
everyday life. Apply energy towards tackling simple, yet scary, things. Send
that email. Finally ask her out. Raise your hand when they ask "does
anyone have any questions or comments" during a meeting. Again, I'm not telling you anything you don't
already know, but sometimes you just need to be reminded or bullied into taking
the first step.
Do it or I'll pull your underwear over your head.
Hi I'm Chase Patrick Murphy and I take pictures of bad parking jobs.
I not only take these pictures, but I share them with the world via social media. Friends of mine take these pictures too and send them to me. Some people tag me in these photos or post them on my wall. I'm a bad parking picture collecting addict and my friends and acquaintances are enablers.
Ok it's not that bad, but it's pretty close.
I used to have a boss who preferred to play a round of golf with someone before hiring them. He felt that you could tell a lot about a person by the way they conducted themselves on a golf course. I don't necessarily agree with that. I was already working there when he was hired and I don't recall us ever playing golf together. I'm not a great golfer and I have never taken a lesson. I have a converted baseball swing-turned golf swing. I swear loudly, drink and smoke cigars and I don't keep the best score. As a matter if fact, I cheat. Not because I want to win, but because I refuse to count after 8 strokes. I've made some amazing shots on the golf course, but I've also drowned dozens of balls in the drink that I never scored. Yet, despite how much of a hack I am on the course, I've managed to turn out to be a solid and successful manager of radio stations. I have friends. I'm likable and my wife and kids are fans. So what exactly could you learn about me from my backswing or wicked slice?
Not everyone has taken golf lessons, but all of us that drive and park (legally) have taken driving lessons.
Maybe how you park might be a better indication of what kind of person you are or how you conduct yourself in public?
Creative people are encouraged and encourage others to color outside of the lines and to think differently. Parking outside of the lines tells a different story. There are certain aspects of our daily lives that should be coupled with conformity. Poor parking jobs can serve as a glimpse into the lives of others. Your ability to keep it between the lines shows your concern for doing the right thing. It shows you care about your fellow parking lot neighbors and that the world doesn't revolve around you. Yes, you are a member of the conformist tribe, but it's for all the right reasons. Parking, no matter how well you do it, isn't a form of art.
Those who park like jerks aren't creative artists. They are jerks.
A slight crossing of the line with a bit of your tire going over the barriers shows that you are willing to go far enough to get it kind of close. Some just stop right there and assume that this effort was good enough. It will suffice. It shows you care a little. Backing out and trying it again shows you are willing to take the extra time to make it right. It shows you give a shit. Chances are, if you are a person that re-parks, you care about others. Yet, taking 3 stabs at it shows you either A) can't park at all B) you are a little on the OCD side.
My taking pictures of bad parking jobs goes beyond sizing people up. People that know me cringe when they park poorly. Many believe that they will be the latest victim of my Facebook #Tryharder jeering. They worry about it, even if I am nowhere near them. They will even go as far as to tell me that I made them park again. Even when we are miles and sometimes states apart. This means I have effectively planted the seed of change.
Altering behavior in people and getting them to think and act a certain way is an amazing thing. I'm not talking about Jedi mind control stuff. I'm talking about planting the seed of behavior modification and getting others to think about how their actions affect others. To care, just a little, about the other guy. Taking up two spots at a busy steakhouse on a Saturday night,causing others to change their dinner plans and go somewhere else, is a d-bag thing to do. We've all experienced the receiving end of this event; as we are forced to go to our backup dinner destination. Taking the time to park correctly is the same as, and as meaningful as, holding the door of an elevator for someone who is making a dash to get on.
In short, my little hobby of taking pictures of bad parking jobs has started a small wave of kindness. It could be considered a "pay it forward" moment. Just as anonymous as buying coffee for a stranger, but maybe not as rewarding as the gratification that comes along with the gesture that accompanies a purchase of some kind.
If you have been affected by my picture postings, whether you are altered by the moment I caught you or the fear of me catching you, know that I am in your head. This started out as something I just did and I didn't plant this seed on purpose, but I am humbled by the potential fruit it bears.
Oh yeah, and stop parking like a dick.
