The Walkabout

The Second Habit

Stephen Covey’s Second Habit states:

Begin with the End in Mind

The above short statement underscores the importance of having goals in whatever we engage in. It’s interesting that the word goals becomes relevant largely when talking about careers, and other big projects in life. I however want to make the case for having goals, and taking a long term approach in many of our decisions.

Envisioning how things will be years from now is indeed a noble thing.

Relationships and Fellowship

It has been documented that over and above work, it is those who we relate with that end up having a profound impact in our lives. Late last year, I was discussing with a friend, about the importance of actually purposing to become someone’s friend.

This may not seem like something worth thinking about. It however becomes increasing clear that we need to be ready and willing to make the friendships work, largely by giving sans expecting payback for our benevolence.

Planting Trees…

Well, it is not Green Kenya stuff I’m getting into here.

A few weeks ago, some friends asked me to prune some trees outside my house and sell them the branches for firewood. I declined. My reasons were rather simple – 1) the trees in question will be needed for other uses several years from now and 2) I do not have replacements right now, whatever trees I have recently planted are too young. One of them reminded me that I may not live long enough to use those trees if I keep on saying such stuff.

All this got me thinking, “Do we only live for the here and now, with no regard for the future?” Furthermore, must our future be assured so that we can do good things that might outlive us?

I was reminded of a favorite wise saying that the essence of a life well lived is planting trees under whose shade we do not intend to sit.

The Challenge

The onus is therefore upon us to do things that will not only benefit us, by taking a long term approach to life.

What say you?

“The first Degree of Folly, is to conceit one’s self wise;
the second to profess it;
the third to despise Counsel.”
- Benjamin Franklin (Poor Richard’s Almanak)

The very thought of finding modern truth in ancient wisdom came alive in my mind after I read Jonathan Haidt’s ‘Happiness Hypothesis’.
In the book, Mr Haidt examines ten ancient ideas which have been tested and qualified by modern science. He then extracts lessons that still apply in our modern lives.

The author states that the overwhelming availability and abundance of wisdom undermines the quality of our engagement in life.
This book is worth reading, and has been highlighted in The Walkabout in a previous post. The introduction and several chapter summaries are available for free download.

One of my favorite bloggers at Diasporadical recently wrote that the reason we cannot understand tradition is that we invariably look at it through modern eyes.

Whenever I spend an hour or two with senior citizens in my neighborhood, I usually consider that time precious. Their take on life and its attendant issues may seem at first glance a bit out of fashion.
They however have had the advantage of time, having lived through it all and seen times change. They may not have adapted their thinking, but their opinion surely does count.

That said, we may want to look back at the truths that still hold true regardless of how much has changed. Having an attitude that acknowledges and accommodates the notion that change does not necessarily invalidate the past puts us in a position of advantage – living in modern times, with history according us valuable life lessons.

Traditional practices, ancient sayings… even old people may well be representative of a past we feel we no longer need. They however have a place in our lives , giving us insights we can reflect on and wisdom that still holds true.

These are the things that define our heritage, that help us cherish the days gone by,  ancient wisdom that we can invariably rely on in our daily lives.

Straight from the Heart, Straight to the Point

Well, this is a quick blog post that carries so much weight, it’ll be replicated on the Complit Design as well as Green Kenya.

Beginning July 6, I took time off because I saw the need to take a completely new approach to running things at Complit Communications. Much of this was partly inspired by the knowledge that The End of Something inevitably means the Beginning of Everything… if one takes the necessary steps to make that happen.

Good to Great

A more compelling reason to repurpose and refocus was reading ‘Good to Great’ by Jim Collins. I haven’t read the entire book, but its basic premise is that the curse of competence makes many people settle for just being good. That is essentially why many never become great – they are just content being good.

Additionally, I have been reminded that greatness is not a function of circumstance but a matter of conscious choice. That said, a great vision without great people is irrelevant. In line with this, I had to take time so as to decide on what needs to be done to realize greatness.

Less is More

According to Nido Qubein, “Nothing can add more power to one’s life than concentrating all their energies on a limited set of targets.”

For this reason, I’ve had to drop some projects. I need to concentrate more on that which makes more sense, matters most and I can be passionate about.

Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom

Being in the creative field, I believe that David Ogilvy’s advertising mantra pretty sums up what I have in mind:

Research: coming, as he did, from a background in research, he never underestimated its importance in advertising. In fact, in 1952, when he opened his own agency, he billed himself as research director.

Professional discipline: “I prefer the discipline of knowledge to the anarchy of ignorance.” He codified knowledge into slide and film presentations he called Magic Lanterns. He also instituted several training programs for young advertising professionals.

Creative brilliance: had a strong emphasis on the “BIG IDEA.”

Results for clients: “In the modern world of business, it is useless to be a creative, original thinker unless you can also sell what you create.”

Back to Basics

In the realms of greatness, I am keen not to lose sight of the fact that “the only way to remain great is to keep applying the fundamental principles that made me great.”

In days to come, we shall have posts that will add more value and which reflect this new purpose.

Thank you for your support, looking forward to your comments, suggestions and sharing.

Rom 12:1  I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship.

Rom 12:2  Do not be conformed to this world, but continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God’s will is-what is proper, pleasing, and perfect.

Rom 12:3  For by the grace given to me I ask every one of you not to think of yourself more highly than you should think, rather to think of yourself with sober judgment on the measure of faith that God has assigned each of you.

Rom 12:4  For we have many parts in one body, but these parts do not all have the same function.

Rom 12:5  In the same way, even though we are many people, we are one body in Christ and individual parts connected to each other.

Rom 12:6  We have different gifts based on the grace that was given to us. So if your gift is prophecy, use your gift in proportion to your faith.

Rom 12:7  If your gift is serving, devote yourself to serving others. If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching others.

Rom 12:8  If it is encouraging, devote yourself to encouraging others. If it is sharing, share generously. If it is leading, lead enthusiastically. If it is helping, help cheerfully.

Rom 12:9  Your love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

Rom 12:10  Be devoted to each other with mutual affection. Excel in showing respect for each other.

Rom 12:11  Never be lazy in showing such devotion. Be on fire with the Spirit. Serve the Lord.

Rom 12:12  Be joyful in hope, patient in trouble, and persistent in prayer.

Rom 12:13  Supply the needs of the saints. Extend hospitality to strangers.

Rom 12:14  Bless those who persecute you. Keep on blessing them, and never curse them.

Rom 12:15  Rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Cry with those who are crying.

Rom 12:16  Live in harmony with each other. Do not be arrogant, but associate with humble people. Do not think that you are wiser than you really are.

Rom 12:17  Do not pay anyone back evil for evil, but focus your thoughts on what is right in the sight of all people.

Rom 12:18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live in peace with all people.

Rom 12:19  Do not take revenge, dear fiends, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me. I will pay them back, declares the Lord.”

Rom 12:20  But “if your enemy is hungry, feed him. For if he is thirsty, give him a drink. If you do this, you will pile burning coals on his head.”

Rom 12:21  Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

Learn and Share

Late last year, a very inspiring tweep and fellow blogger handed me a copy of Jim Collin’s bestseller Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and others Don’t.

Owing to commitments and other hitherto scheduled reads, I gave the book to my dad, who has really liked reading it.

I have however started reading the book, and just flipping through the pages, I realize it has wonderful insights that apply both in business and in life.

Good to Great

What Others Say

This post isn’t exactly a review of the book. You can read editorial reviews at Amazon.

A quick glance at the first chapter [titled Good is the Enemy of Great]:

Good is the enemy of Great.

And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great.

We don’t have great schools, principally because we have good schools. We don’t have great government, principally because we have good government. Few people attain great lives, in large part because it is just so easy to settle for a good life.

The vast majority of companies never become great, precisely because the vast majority become quite good – and that is their main problem.

Worth Reading?

Yes. This is a book that will remind you that just being good isn’t enough, and show you the way to being great.

You then get to do the needful to become great!

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