ARE YOU HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

I was inspired when I read a Tweet from @SmashFit that said, “Leave behind what’s not working, and move your mind in the direction you were meant to go.” It made me think about the times I’ve taken a wrong turn (or rather no turn at all) at work, in my personal life or in day-to-day decisions. I think we’re all guilty of getting stuck in a rut at one time or another. The question is do we have the intestinal fortitude to dig down and go a different direction in order to better ourselves…leaving the staleness and/or problem behind.

At the race track teams work tirelessly to construct the winning set up for their car. If one shock and spring package isn’t working, they put it back and keep trying combinations until they’re running lap times at the top of the board and ultimately winning races. And just because a set up worked this week, doesn’t mean it will work next week at a different track. Teams are constantly working, trying to get better, trying to go faster.

Similar to the track, we should always be working to make our lives better. If something isn’t working, then a decision should be made to try something new and move on. We cannot let the fear of failing overwhelm us or prevent us from taking a different turn. We should also not let the feeling of comfort let us become stale. Sometimes it’s good to go a different direction; it spices things up and motivates a person. I challenge everyone to try a new direction to see if you can come up with the best “set up” for your life.

A WAVE AND A SMILE

At the intersection of 115 and Catawba in Cornelius, N.C. there is an elderly man who sits on his front porch and waves to each passerby with a smile. The first time I drove by and he waved to me I thought, “Do I know him”? Then I realized I didn’t, he was just being kind. That’s it, nothing more, nothing less. Just a simple wave and a smile – which in turn made me smile.

At the race track I witness throngs of fans burst with joy as their favorite driver gives them a wave and a smile. Although small, it’s a connection that people don’t forget. Imagine having the power to make thousands of people happy by handing out a FREE wave and smile. I suspect the gentleman on 115 has made thousands of people happy with his efforts too; he just doesn’t have the fame and fortune to show for it. But it’s not about fame and fortune; it’s about making another person feel recognized and appreciated…even if just for a moment.

We often don’t take the time to give a simple wave and a smile to someone. Why? Are we really that busy that we can’t find the one second it takes to do so? Or are we worried about what a stranger might think of us? I think if we took the time to acknowledge people, it would not only make our lives happier, it would make those around us happier. Kindness is infectious so please spread it around.

Signing off with a wave and a smile!

YOU WIN AND LOSE EVERY DAY

I was recently at a race in Pocono, Pennsylvania where a Roush Fenway team won the event. I stood in victory lane watching the driver, crew chief, team members and sponsors celebrate their win with screams, sprays of champagne, photos, hugs and smiles. I realized that a win (or loss) at a sporting event is probably the most revered and public display of winning and losing. However, each day we all win and lose, even if in the slightest of ways.

If you apply for a job and the company gives you an offer…you’ve won. If you order your favorite steak at a restaurant but they’ve run out…you’ve lost. Granted it's not on national TV, but it's still winning and losing. What’s alarming to me is we are not teaching kids to win and lose because nowadays the mentality in schools is “everybody wins”. There are no more blue, red and white ribbons at field day, instead, everyone gets a blue ribbon. Is this the best practice considering every day we all engage in activities that even in the simplest of ways, we win or lose at?

Not everyone participates in sport but everyone should look to sport for examples of how to be a humble winner and respectful loser. Everyday is a game and we all win or lose multiple times a day. The question is, how do you learn from the win or loss and how do you move forward to tackle the next competition?