Ever find yourself in a loop of preparation procrastination? I have.

You know, when you buy a really cool leather bound journal…and never write in it. Or, when you purchase a camera and mic…and never create a video. How about writing a bunch of jokes…and never doing a standup.

Procrastination is fear. Fear of failure. Fear of being exposed. Fear of rejection. Training and preparation are required, but the preparation cannot be a substitute for the performance.

Try punching procrastination in the face, crushing the fear, and doing something meaningful today.

Listening is relatively easy. It’s when you open your ears.

Hearing is more difficult. It’s when you open your heart.

Presumption is dangerous. It’s when you do neither.

So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the Lord, and went presumptuously up into the hill.

Deuteronomy 1:43 KJV

From time to time we all say, “This is perfect!” But that’s not what we really mean, right?  We usually mean, “This is better than I thought it would be.” or “This is exactly what I expected.”

In reality, true perfection is just an idea…
The perfect product.
The perfect song.
The perfect relationship.
The perfect business.
The perfect life.

If perfection is what you’re waiting on…
You never ship the product.
You never sing.
You never go deep in a relationship.
You never start the business.
You never live.

“PERFECT” is great for a goals list, but it’s terrible for a to-do list.

The short game can be enticing. To novice players it appears that action, opportunity, and fortune are in the short game. The truth is… lack of empathy, self centered pride, lying, and cheating will soon limit your opportunities and steal your money.

The short game:
I got mine.
I will cheat to win.
I don’t care.
I will lie to make a sale.

The long game:
I give more than I take.
I never cheat.
I care.
I keep my word.

Abundance and fulfillment can only be found in the long game.

If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

Numbers 30:2 KJV

If you spend all your time “looking back” you will likely wreck the present.

If you spend all your time “looking forward” you will likely miss the present.

Look back and learn, look forward and plan… then do something meaningful today. We are not promised tomorrow.

Humans can do something that no other animal on earth can do. We can communicate our ideas and feelings to each other. It has allowed us to build civilizations and to birth modern technology. Our ability to communicate is the single most important thing we do.

Question: Why do we fail to communicate?

If we don’t communicate…
We can’t resolve problems.
We can’t persuade.
We can’t explain.
We can’t show empathy.
We can’t understand.
We can’t correct.
We can’t help.
We can’t love.

Answer: We don’t listen.

Listening is an act of generosity and kindness. 
Listening opens our eyes and reveals the truth. 
Listening is the bridge of communication. 

Next time you find yourself in a disagreement, instead of thinking of your next comeback, be humble and listen.

And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, [13] If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the Lord saith, that will I speak?

Numbers 24:12-13 KJV

Ruts are comfortable… it’s just how I do things. It’s my default behavior; my knee-jerk reaction.

Thoughts produce actions.
Actions produce patterns.
Patterns produce ruts.

Ruts built on truth, kindness, and generosity are productive and profitable.
Ruts built on lies, anger, and laziness are destructive and deadly.

Examine yourself. 
Do the right things.
Get in the right rut. 🙂

And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

Numbers 21:5 KJV

Name some significant people. Immediately Washington, Lincoln, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King come to my mind. Now, name the most significant people in your life. Different list, right? 

There are certain people who just “showed up” at critical times and had a huge impact on who you are today. Life changing words and generous actions can come from almost anyone at any time. A pastor, mentor, parent, boss, friend, doctor, or even your local barista can plant a seed. Keep your focus on those who have loved and helped you along the way. Be grateful for the significant people in your life.

Understanding the truth is great.

Believing the truth is better.

Doing the truth is freedom.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; [32] And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:31-32 KJV

Rings
Ornaments
Challenge Coins
Bracelets
Tattoos

Tokens are effective reminders until you turn them into decoration.

Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: [39] And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:

Numbers 15:38-39 KJV