Monthly Archives: May 2014

Good Enough is Good Enough – Perfection is Highly Overrated 3

Personal Development • Tags: , , , , , ,

Perfection 2Twenty percent of your effort will get you Eighty Percent of your results. I like those odds. If it was good enough for Pareto it’s good enough for me. Perfection is highly overrated. Why strive for perfection when good enough – is usually good enough? Waiting until you’ve written the perfect plan shouldn’t get in the way of you actually accomplishing something. Paralysis by analysis. You can over think things. One thing you have to know for certain is that nothing is perfect. There is no such thing as a perfect plan. Unless you are clairvoyant and can look into the future, there are somethings that will happen that you just can’t predict. And if you can’t predict them that means your plan has to be flexible enough to be able to deal with those unforseen events that may happen along the way.

“Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it”. I think Salvador Dali was on to something. Instead of striving for perfection why not just settle for progress. Why not just settle for good enough. You may not be on time because you had to take the odd detour to end up at your final destination – but you will be on target. And when all is said and done – isn’t that what you wanted to accomplish in the first place? So lighten up. Give yourself a break. Have a plan – and work your plan – and eventually you’ll end up just where you wanted to be. And most importantly, remember to stress less and enjoy the journey.

Copyright (c) 2014. Brian Smith-PLD – Reformed Control Freak. Looking for a speaker who can present an entertaining and informative session of a variety of soft-skills topics? Contact Brian today. You won’t be disappointed http://briansmithpld.com

Mothers Are The Ultimate Control Freaks

Coaching, Enduring Principles, Ethics, Leadership Development, Mentorship, Personal Development, Personal Values • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

IMG_20140511_145439A “BIG” high-five to all the Mothers out there. Without your love, guidance and dedication most of us would not be here. I hope everyone got the chance to be with their Mom or at least talk with her on her special day. I’m one of the lucky ones because I got to spend Mothers Day with my Mom. Having my four brothers and sister there was a bonus. It’s been more than 50 years since all of us where together on Mothers Day. Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s was an interesting time. Perhaps not as challenging as it is now – but with eight of us living under the same roof, it had its moments. And through it all my Mother was able to maneuver the ship through the occasional rough sea and stay the course without ending up on the rocks and sinking.  Mothers are the ultimate control freaks but they control in a very special way.

Mothers are Teachers: My Mom taught me the difference between right and wrong.  To be respectful of others. To be kind. To help those in need. She taught me how to be a man. And more importantly she taught me how to be a parent.

Mothers are Referees: In spite of growing up with four competitive brothers and one sister in the house my Mom still managed to keep the peace. She’d have to intervene once in a while and make us go to neutral corners and take a much deserved time out. My Mom walked quietly but carried a big stick. She just had to give you that certain look and you understood.

Mothers are Guidance Councilors:  My Mom was the voice of reason. She guided me with a soft-hand and a gentle push. I could always count on her to be my soft-place to fall so I was never afraid to venture out on my own and take chances.

Thank you Mom. I love you. I am forever in your debt.

Copyright (c) 2014. Brian Smith – Reformed Control Freak. Are you looking for a keynote speaker or workshop facilitator who can entertain and inform on a variety of soft-skills topics including: powerful communication strategies, time management and personal effectiveness or how to deal with difficult people and challenging situations better? Visit http://briansmithpld.com