As I write this, I'm enjoying a view out my window of a crisp early Autumn morning. It will be a sunny day, but cold. The Fun Farm is filled with color, but nature is losing its splendor for the season. I'm motivated to write, share, hopefully inspire, but there's also a strong temptation to go back to bed.
My standards are one thing, but the reality is another.
Some of you will identify with the irony, the struggle, the conflict between what is good, what should be done, what should be accepted and what should be kept at bay.
Spoiler alert - by the time you read this, it will be nearly 2 seasons later than when it was written. My point? I have certain expectations of myself. Things have to be done. I always prefer to get things done as soon as possible. The productivity, the progress, the feeling of accomplishment far outweigh the "fleas that come with the dog."
My standards are one thing, your reality is another.
Not to mention, who knows how much time they have for anything? Life sneaks in - and sometimes it ends. I promise you those who died yesterday had plans for today, even if in the simplest terms.
My perspective permeates all things I deal with day-to-day, year-to-year. Do things, do them right, do them once. I've spent a few decades learning to accept myself and continue to keep things in balance.
I'm not saying I'm an expert or even consistently good at such habits. There are many others who are much better at it than me, maybe many others who I could teach. They're good habits to pursue nonetheless. Making progress, even scant amounts, beats not doing anything at all.
My standards are one thing, their reality is another.
There's a flip side to all of this. While a certain level of progress is achieved, and my own definition of success, I also recognize it is due in part to my uniqueness. I've had 40+ years to develop this mentality. Can I expect anyone else to truly share the same view? Or, do I deal with others who constantly focus on the "WIIFM" ("What's In It For Me?") until something better comes along?
Expecting others to share your perspective is a hot topic. An extreme example is social media - SO many opinions, so many camps, so much extreme. Is it even social at all anymore? When you're working on your own path/career/company, do the WIIFMs get things done to a certain extent or can more be accomplished?
It can be frustrating - but what may be frustrating you may also what makes you unique! Your role doesn't need to be mass produced or easily duplicated. Forgive yourself - and allow others do be different. Their differences may be the special X that affects great change in their area. They're likely dealing with the exact same situation anyway.
My standards are one thing, a parallel reality is another.
Still, there is a lot of common ground to establish and grow from. Most practical matters in life are nothing but that. Eating, sleeping, using the facilities, putting on clothes, etc. The busier you are and the more focused on the tasks at hand, the less time you have for opinions or deep philosophy.
A wise man once said "You get what you expect." A cynical wise man once said "You get what you INspect." A grateful wise man once said "You get what you get (and you don't throw a fit!)"
Embrace that which makes you successful, promote the special X in others, and put the puzzle together.
Greatness can be achieved! How is your definition of it?