One Simple Question
I once read that an ordinance in one of America's major cities
forbids "walking about aimlessly, with no apparent purpose,
lingering, hanging around, lagging behind, idly spending time,
delaying, sauntering and moving slowly about."
I can't tell you how disturbed I felt. Some of my best days are
spent like that.
But then, I don't want my whole life to be basically described as
having "no apparent purpose...lagging behind...idly spending
time...delaying" and generally moving about aimlessly. On the other
hand, neither do I want to take myself too seriously. An occasional
day spent doing next to nothing sounds perfectly fine.
My problem is that I am usually busy. I schedule tightly and work
long hours. I plan my time and make lists.
But it would be a mistake to believe that, just because I am doing
many things, I am necessarily doing the right things. Or, perhaps,
the BEST things. At least if I'm busy, I want to stay busy at things
that matter.
News commentator Dan Rather asked himself a vital question several
times a day. Largely because of this one question, he became one of
America's leading journalists. Rather wrote the question on three
slips of paper. He kept one in his billfold, one in his pocket, and
one on his desk. The all-important question he constantly asked
himself was "Is what you are doing now helping the broadcast?"
If the answer was yes, then he continued with his work, project or
idea. If the answer was no, then he stopped what he was doing and
put his efforts into something else. He discovered early on that if
he did not focus his time, he would end up in a job where he was
under-utilized and dissatisfied.
What if you were to ask yourself a focusing question several times a
day? Your question might relate to work, or perhaps to another area
of your life that is important to you - family, relationships,
personal development, spirituality..
You might ask yourself if what you're doing now is helping you
succeed. Or if what you're doing now is helping you to be a better
parent or a better person. You decide. The point is this: one simple
question can focus and transform your life.
Try writing the question you choose on small slips of paper or on
the back of a business card. Carry it with you. Post it on your
desk. You might even affix it to a conspicuous spot inside your car.
Then read it several times a day. That one question will help you
choose activities that contribute toward your best self. And if you
are busy, at least you will be busy doing the right things - things
that matter.
Then, if you decide to spend an occasional day walking about
aimlessly, with no apparent purpose, lingering, hanging around,
lagging behind, idly spending time, delaying, sauntering and moving
slowly about, why not? The down time will probably do you good.
~ Steve Goodier ~
[ by: Steve Goodier -- Copyright © 2010 -- from Steve Goodier (LifeSupport@yahoogroups.com) ]
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