Pain Is Inevitable

Cover of Pain Is Inevitable, Misery Is Optional

I had the honor of listening to a keynote speaker, Hyrum Smith - cofounder of Franklin Covey, at our Melaleuca Convention. If you've not heard of him, I suggest you get on the ball and do your due diligence. Mr. Smith gave a high energy, no nonsense, we can change the world presentation. I'm going to hit a few of the highlights in this post.

The basic principles that help a human being become more productive have not changed in 6,000 years. Wisdom is knowledge rightly applied. Anyone can be smart. Can just anyone have wisdom?

Emotions
There are three emotions that motivate us at any given time.
1. Fear (I have to do this)
2. Duty (I ought to do this)
3. Love (I want to do this)
Which emotion are you operating under?

Read the book The Journey From Fear To Love by Laurie Cameron.

Governing Values
Benjamin Franklin wrote 13 values that governed his life when he was 20. Mr. Smith also believes you need to know and live your values. It's important to know what your values are. Then you can take a look at your life, see where you are, and begin to bring your life into alignment with your values.

Imagine you are one side of the Grand Canyon and there's a huge I beam to the other side. What would you walk over that I beam for? That's a value. Take the time to create a list of your own governing values, your own personal constitution. Spend 3 to 5 hours on it. Mental toughness is critical. Pain is inevitable, misery is optional.

Character is the ability to carry out a worthy decision long after the emotion of making that decision has passed. In other words, do what you said you were going to do. Be your word.

Hold your hands up in the air about a foot apart. The right hand is what you want. The left hand is where you are. As you do what you said you were going to do, your left hand gets closer to the right hand. You've got to RUN ON THE GAP. Close that gap, be consistent, be your word. You'll be amazed at the things that will happen your life.

Forgiveness
Learn how to forgive. Forgiveness requires remembering then deciding it doesn't matter anymore - so you can move on.
Read Flags of our Fathers by James Bradley


Seven Habits
In case you were wondering -- the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People are:
1. be proactive
2. begin with the end in mind
3. put first things first
4. think win/win
5. seek first to understand, then to be understood
6. synergize
7. sharpen the saw

Choose to improve your life instead of react to circumstances. Where do you want to be? Decide and work backwards from there. What's important right now? Help someone else and in turn help yourself. Listen, then speak. Develop trust and work together to build a team. Create a balance by always working on yourself.