Skill, Character, or Luck

This week I have learned to be intentional in what I do. In the readings and the videos I realized that I need to be better about being more motivated and focused on my goals and how I lead my life. Here are some things that stood out to me.

1. In the talk "Perseverance" By President James E. Faust he says, "Perseverance is demonstrated by those who keep going when the going gets tough, who don’t give up even when others say, “It can’t be done.” I remember when I was just starting out in school a couple years ago we learned about what it meant to have grit. This makes me think about those who succeed when everything seems to be stacked against them. That have grit. They persevere through the hard times. I had to write an essay on it and I chose to talk about those who were trying to become Navy Seals. The men who seemed to be the strongest and most able were not always the ones that made it. Sometimes it was the more small and scrawny (by most standards) who end up making the Seals. Why? They had grit. They could get through the hardest things and keep going. I want to have grit and persevere when it is the hardest and I think it can't be done. It makes me think of a scripture. Mark 10:27 "And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible." When I involve God and do my part by not giving up, then nothing is impossible for me.

2. The question "How do I find my passion?" ("How Do You Find Your Passion and How Do You Pursue It?" by Randy Komisaris) is one that I have said to myself many times. I am one that likes to try just about anything. At least in the creativity realm. I love certain things from everything I have done, but I keep myself from doing them extensively. So, I don't think I can find my passion because I haven't done things for a long period of time. Except for maybe one. That's graphic design. Even in that sense, I still take my time and stop because I am doing other things. I think I need to prioritize and be consistent.

3. In the "Mastery" book by George Leonard I was learning about the different kinds of people when it comes to mastery. I found that I am a little of all three. (Dabbler, Obsessive, & Hacker) It was interesting to see what kind of approaches I had to work and play. One thing that he talked about was being ok and happy with a plateau. Be comfortable and confident in each step along the way. Just to know that each step I am learning and growing. 

4. In the talk "A Hero's Journey" I appreciated that we must have integrity in all we do. Remind ourselves those ethics and things we won't do often. It's like what I have taught my children. If you are firm and steadfast in your beliefs and morals, nothing will change your mind. I remember when I was in high school I had an experience that tested my resolve. A friend, not of my faith, was a swearer. He found out I wasn't and said that he would give me $20 if I said the "F" word. I said no. He then said he would give me $100 if I did. I said no again. I made that resolve when I was in junior high and swore one time. I didn't like how I felt and decided then that I wouldn't swear. I have kept that promise to myself. 

Keeping that kind of resolve in business and life will keep me from getting into trouble that I have control over. I want to always have a code of ethics that is aligned with God. I never want to do something that is wrong in the workplace (and life) that I would be disappointed in myself over. 

Another thing that stood out to me was "So what does it mean to choose a hero’s journey? It means to live every moment of your life like it matters." There are so many times that people just live life to survive, not to live. I find that these days the most time spent is on the computer or our phones, doomscrolling. We spend hours on things that don't matter. Reading this talk made me take a good look at how I spend my time and what I should be doing instead. 

I appreciated the advice to go to people I know and love and ask them what I am good at and go from there. Sometimes we may have a lot of things we are good at but don't really know what we would be the most happy doing, because we are so busy with just stuff. 

"A calling must serve others." was another line that caught me. I want to have a calling and love it but I also want it to be for the happiness of others. I want to contribute not just for myself. When I serve I am happy. So that means that if I can use my passion to help others too, then I know I will be happier. This leads to the main questions "Did I contribute something meaningful? Was I a good person and who did I love and who loved me? Who did I love and who loved me?" If I can answer those in the affirmative then I will have lived a purposeful life. 

I look forward to taking what I have learned and assessing what I am doing with my life right now and come up with a plan. To also take that plan and do it. I think I will be referencing these resources over and over agian to help me stay motivated and inspired.