The Real Con 089

Soft skills to live in a hard world. Seeking wisdom, discipline and more to leave my world a little better than I found it…

Hey everyone,

What a week. 8 flights. 5 days. 3 states.

Being on the go really helps one to discover and define your priorities. 

Getting up early and staying up late may be necessary, but they should not interfere with quality sleep. When I have limited time, I know I am ruthless with how I spend each and every minute of the day.

I sacrificed time at home, an easy schedule, dinner with my family for the ability to spend more time with my family next week. As individuals, as members of teams, as Americans, we must continually make and think about sacrifices. Trade offs. 

Here are 3 quotes, the most interesting thing I learned this week, 1 essay, and 1 question to reflect on.

3 Quotes

“Real power is not in momentary desires, but in complete calmness” - Leo Tolstoy, A Calendar of Wisdom

“If your choices are beautiful, so too will be you.” -Epictetus

“Only in the storm can you see the art of the real sailor; only on the battlefield can you see the bravery of a soldier. The courage of a simple person can be seen in how he copes with the difficult and dangerous situations in life.” - Daniel Achinsky

The Most Interesting Thing I Learned this Week

The United States is young. Younger than you might think. While it’s founding started in 1776, only since 1950 have all 50 states been a part of the Republic. 74 years. 

A republic is a state in which political power rests with the public through their representatives. It comes from the Latin phrase res publica, which is directly opposite of a monarchy.

"…when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views." - Benjamin Franklin

When Theodore Roosevelt joined the Rough Riders in 1898 and ran for governor, there were only 45 official states in America.

"A soft, easy life is not worth living, if it impairs the fibre of brain and heart and muscle. We must dare to be great; and we must realize that greatness is the fruit of toil and sacrifice and high courage... For us is the life of action, of strenuous performance of duty; let us live in the harness, striving mightily; let us rather run the risk of wearing out than rusting out." - Col. Theodore Roosevelt, Campaign Address, 1898

Sacrifice and Courage

“No great success can ever be won save by accepting the fact that, normally, sacrifice of some kind must come in winning the success.” - Theodore Roosevelt

The Constitution of the United States is not a self-correcting document. It requires the constant attention and devotion of all citizens. The story goes that upon exiting the Constitutional Convention Benjamin Franklin was approached by a group of concerned citizens in Philadelphia, asking what sort of government the delegates had created. 

His answer was simple. "A republic, if you can keep it." Democratic republics are not merely founded upon the consent of the people, they must be maintained by the active and informed involvement of the people. 

When Theodore Roosevelt and others joined the Rough Riders before invading Cuba, the government had to turn away men because too many showed up in 1898. The fighting was quick, one week to be exact. But it was necessary. 

Do not confuse your role today. Being actively involved does not mean you need to join an expeditionary mission abroad. 

It starts with yourself as an individual. Do you know how to make the right call? Do you know how to do the hard work when no one is watching? Do you have the courage to say what you believe?

You will fail as a member of any team if you do not have the understanding of what it takes to sacrifice as an individual. Should you always choose work over your family? Should you always choose work over your health? Never! 

Courage takes practice. It is not something you read about. It is something you do - everyday.

Sacrifice can be learning to make the hard decisions today for an easier day tomorrow. Courage can be speaking up to voice your concerns before the team runs out of time on a critical decision. Sacrifice can be saying no when family commitments take precedent. It is not easy, nor should it be.

But it is always worth it. 

Our actions should always speak louder than our words. Watch what you do as much as you watch what you say.

1 Question to Reflect on

Have you thought about how to live a life of action with the courage to sacrifice when you need to?

In Closing...

Any feedback, suggestion, or critique is welcome: feel free to reply (if you got this in your inbox) or send an email to [email protected].

Stay sharp,

Michael

#089

The Real Con

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