What Will I Accomplish Today?

What Will I Accomplish Today?

Forward-thinking individuals often ask themselves …

I wonder what it is I will accomplish today?

I do that every time I sit down to write a blog or produce a podcast.

My musician friends ask that at the beginning of every practice session.

CEOs, CFOs, and the top men and women in every company continue to ask this question – every day.

It’s one of the key growth habits, if you want to be a producer, a front-line leader.

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration

A Few Words about Self-Control

A Few Words about Self-Control

Break it down – here’s the thing about self-control.  It means:

     Discipline

       Willpower

         Restraint

           Self-will

             Strength of mind

               Strength of will

Self-control is an exhaustible but buildable resource.  Does this mean that self-control, once it’s used, is gone forever? Not at all.  It recharges with rest. In fact, the more often self-control is used, the stronger it gets.

The key word in self-control is SELF!

It is up to you and me to develop self-control. 

Again, a key word is DEVELOP!

It does not happen automatically. 

There is a price to be paid.  The question is this … will we pay that price?

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration

I'm in the Second Act of Life

I’m in the Second Act of Life

I once was a pretty decent singer.  I could hit high A’s, and low D’s.  That is no longer the case.

I’ve directed some very fine orchestras and choirs.  And now, others have that privilege. 

I used to play a good game of baseball and softball.  I don’t move as swiftly now as I did then. 

I guess I’m in the second act of life, and it’s a good act.  Stay tuned.

I’ve found my niche in this Second Act.  I’m an official blogger and podcaster.  It suites me very well.  I move at my own pace, I settle in and go where my thoughts take me, and I’m having a good second act.

And I’m experimenting in the kitchen and finding new foods and combinations and tasty treats to fix and eat for Carolyn and I.

I think this is pretty good way to close the curtain on my life.  I love what I’m doing.  And I can do this for another bunch of years, or so my cardiologist says.  He says he can give me another twenty years. 

Wow.  A second act that lasts twenty years.  Look out world.  I’m only getting started good.

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration

A Seagull Speaks

A Seagull Speaks

I’m re-reading Jonathan Livingston Seagull.  It is one of my favorite books. 

Here’s what strikes me.  Jonathan was willing to separate from the flock to pursue his dreams of flight on a new dimension.  Oh my, he crashed on numerous attempts, but he kept analyzing, experimenting, thinking and trying. 

He was criticized by the flock, he was banned, he was ridiculed, he was spoken of in demeaning ways, all because he went contrary to the ‘rules of the flock’. 

And yet he persisted. 

It happens, you know.  Your ideas may run contrary to the rules of the day.  And what are you going to do about that?

Sometimes, growth and improvement, whatever that looks like, are more important than the norms and the “group habits”.

Ask Wayne Gretzky – hockey great.  He was famous for his antics on the ice in practice.  He pushed the limits of how far he could lean without falling over.  He tried the ridiculous, the unusual and the obscure. 

It worked, for he was sometimes referred to as The GREAT Wayne Gretzky.

Consider this as you pursue your dreams, and you might want to read Jonathan Livingston Seagull.  It might hold some fresh insights for you.

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration

What Is Your 'Why'?

What Is Your ‘Why’

I write because of an intense desire to offer Hope, Encouragement and Inspiration to mankind, one word at a time.  That is my major “Why” in life.

What is your ‘why’? What propels you to do whatever it is you do?

Figure that one out and then pursue your passions and dreams like a bee on honey.

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration

Define Your Mission

Define Your Mission

One of my favorite books is The Winds of War by Herman Wouk.  In this book, Mr. Wouk recounts a scene in which General E. J. Tillet, military author and one of the Commanding Generals for England during WWII, is speaking to the main character named Pug Henry.  Tillet is making an observation about Hermann Goering that is applicable to our topic. 

He said this about Goering, “He’s wasted a whole bloody month bombing harbors and pottering about after convoys.  He’s only got till September the fifteenth.  His mission is mastery of the air, not blockade.  Define your mission!  Define your mission and stick to it!” 

Whether you are practicing a golf swing, practicing a difficult piece of music, building an empire, or seeking to marry the person of your choosing, this is applicable.

Define your mission and stick to it.

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration

To See a New Way

To See a New Way

Now here’s a growth moment.  Seeing things in a new way. 

If you’ve heard the saying – “We’ve always done it this way” then perhaps, it is time for a new way.  Perhaps the old tried and true is worn out.

This is true in a musician’s practice routine.

This is true in a golfer’s swing.

This is true in a writer.

This is true in designing bridges.

Perhaps, a new perspective is needed, a different look at the how and why.

Fresh insights are what is called for.  Don’t abandon the physics of the thing.  Just reconsider the different ways you can use those same physics and create new and better, improved and more sustainable.

Thoughts for Improving

Whatever Needs Improving!

P Michael Biggs

Steps and Skips Blogsite

Hope ~Encouragement~ Inspiration