Happy Sunday Everyone:
I have been doing these for 10 years. It’s my own version of therapy. If I really think about it, it’s about not letting small/big events, moments, feelings, observations, just pass me by. These are better for me than anyone reading them because I have to sit on whatever the thought/topic is and digest it. Side note, I’ve always stayed with simple email vs. going to some other outlet where I can measure readers etc…At the end of the day, I know how many are on the distribution list, I have no idea how many people actually read these. For those that do, thank you, please know I appreciate you taking the time to do so.
Doing this for 10 years, I get in head spaces/places where I simply don’t feel like doing them. Call it writers block, lack of motivation, lack of content, thoughts…whatever, but sometimes I simply don’t want to do it. I was talking to someone last week very close to me, explaining how I was feeling about these. Their response back to me was “maybe you should quit doing them”. I sat on it for a minute, highly annoyed, and chose not to say anything back. I went home that night and thought “WTF”, that’s the worst advice I could get, just quit. The conversation was a blessing because it created one more Sunday Thoughts, this one.
This person truly meant no harm by their advice, but it did make me think about the advice we give people when they confide in us. Someone confiding in you is an honor, it should be looked at as such. You have the ability to move the needle on someone’s life by helping them choose a path. I can’t think of a higher honor, especially if that person does something with the advice you gave them, and it makes their life better. Going back to the quitting advice, I’ve thought a lot about it, I was running yesterday thinking the whole time about quitting. When do we quit? There are absolutely times when quitting makes sense. Big picture, quitting makes sense when whatever your quitting is no longer serving your life. Bad relationship, bad jobs, whatever, that makes sense to quit. This is more about quitting things you shouldn’t be quitting. As I was running, I was thinking about the concept of quitting on your best day i.e. going out on top. Then I thought how great that sounds, and how unrealistic it is. If I’m consistently having my best days, why the hell would I quit? So, although I like the concept of quitting on my best day, the bigger trigger for me, is recognizing this isn’t my best day, so no matter what, don’t quit. For all of us, if something or someone has a positive impact on your life, in your life, don’t quit it because of a moment in time. Be intentional about thinking through it. Because of this event, that conversation, my run, I’ll be more intentional when a quitting thought comes in to my mind. It’s not to say I quit things much, but I can get pissed and shut down, which serves no purpose. A friend I work with, Matt Y, just hit me Friday with advice his dad gave him “stay calm, think logically, attack problems”. It’s the oppositive of getting pissed, getting emotional, and quitting. Have you ever regretted quitting on something, I have, it sucks.
As important-when you have the opportunity to persuade, advise, coach, or help someone you care about make the decision to not quit in a moment of weakness, take that opportunity serious. Pull out a T chart for your friend, your loved one, help them see the light. For me, pros of Sunday Thoughts, helps me think clearly, puts more perspective in my life, helps other people reading it relate back to their lives, gives my family memories of me when I’m gone. Negative of me doing these, takes time, responsibility, and work. Do the pros outweigh the cons for me? Yes! So keep doing them.
This person that gave me the advice to quit is one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. I’m blowing the conversation out of proportion a bit here, but it serves as a reminder for me to not let people you care about quit anything good for them. The regret of quitting far outweighs any work required to keep going. It’s the ultimate example of easy vs. good. It’s easy to quit, its good not to.
Have a great Sunday!