Running On Main Street

There’s a popular part of Nashville called 12 South. Shops, restaurants, things to take pictures of.

Lots of people walking around eating ice cream, carrying luggage, juggling children.

And then comes the runner. The perfect outfit. The perfect amount of sweat. The perfect amount of tan. Proudly weaving in and out of the hustle and bustle. Proudly (but in hopes of not too obviously) attracting the eye balls of every shopper and walker and wannabe.

This runner is running on main street…and running for something other than fitness.

Whatever you’re running after, it’s tempting to go after all the instant attention you might get on main street. The real growth often happens on the back roads.

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The Beach Schlep

Everyone’s done the beach schlep.

You’re staying at a beach house but the house is not on the beach. It’s a half mile from the beach.

All good. You get one of those carts with big wheels.

So then…What do you put in the cart? Do you go heavy? Keep it moderate? Lots of small items, or a few big items? Lots of snacks or lots of games? Does the cooler go in the cart or does it get carried separate?

You get to decide.

In any case here’s the thing…

Whatever you put in the cart, once you leave the beach house, you’re taking it all the way. Nothing will stop you. Nothing is getting taken half way and then dumped. No matter how long the walk, how many stairs, how deep the sand or how hot the sun…you’re going to the beach.

And this is a good metaphor for a lot of us working on projects.

Make as many decisions as you can before you start the journey. And then once you start, already have made the decision to go all the way.

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An Encouraging Word

No one is above needing encouragement.

And no one is above getting hurt by criticism.

An encouraging word is always available to give. We might never know if it was needed but it can’t hurt.

»» It’s worth considering how often we’re ready to criticize and yet how rarely we’re asked for our critique.

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Every Four Years

It weeds out a lot of people.

Most of the Olympic events aren’t popular except during the Olympics. A short window for glory after years of thankless, fameless, lonely work. It’s not for everyone. It’s not for most people.

Most people are seeking a type of glory that is much more readily available.

Insert the social media game…the allure that you won’t have to wait, that all the glory is just around the corner.

Pick your game carefully. Pick one that you’ll be glad you played even if you don’t get all the glory you hoped for.

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Can You Get A Little Bit Better...

Right before you go on stage? Or is it already all set?

I’m not sure you can get more skilled during the few minutes before you go on stage but you can change your focus, which can make you more effective. Especially if you shift your focus to something you’ve had practice shifting your focus to.

Serving. Connection. Excellence. Joy. If you can take a few moments to reorient yourself towards something better, it will be better.

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Saving Too Much...

For the end.

This was my problem running cross country in high school…I had a really great last quarter mile. Too good. I obviously had way too much left in the tank that should have been used during the race.

But I liked being able to go fast at the end…even though that wasn’t the point.

Some people like the thrill of the chaos at the end of a project (and learn to steer the project into that chaos). Gotta go fast. Gotta stay up all night. More coffee. We’ve only got little more time.

But if you’re able to burn that hot at the end you could probably spread it out over the course of the project and finish in a better place.

Hum Love on Spotify and Apple