Inspiration versus Perspiration

 Inspiration versus Perspiration 

John Hattie's work revolves around a lot of moving pieces and ideals, but none more than "Know thy impact." Understanding what our words and actions can do, makes all the difference in the world in how we deliver them. At any level, in any position, we are impacting and influencing the people we talk to and interact with each day. It really doesn't matter who I am--it goes through every level of a Fortune 500 company the same as it does in a classroom. Whomever is speaking or interacting with others has an impact on them, like it or not it's happening. Every word, every look--it all contributes to your impact. 

And here's my question; What does your impact produce from others? Do you inspire them or make them perspire? 

I'm sure that I'm not the only one that has had "that" boss. The one that when they called me into their office or even walked by, I cringed and my stomach knotted up, feeling that I wasn't ever doing enough. 

But I've also had folks in my life that every time I talked to them, or heard them speak, I felt like I could take on the world. 

To me, these are the two polar opposites in leadership styles and beliefs that we see today. Some folks feel that the more they make you sweat, the more that you fear their mere presence, the more you will produce for them and fall in line. On the other side of the coin, there are folks that lift you up, and promote the benefits of a singular, upward direction for everyone in the organization.

Personally, I like to live on the positive side of this coin. I understand that the more I give of myself, the more that I do and (even more so) say to support and uplift those in my charge and interact with, the bigger and better the outcomes will come for all of us. 

So make the choice--do you want to build people up to be the best that they can be, or just make them sweat the impact of your presence and expectations. 

Lottery Tickets & Kindness

 Lottery Tickets & Kindness

So scratch-off lottery tickets have been something that I'll get every now and again. I am always expecting to hit it big, but here I am still going to work and still making payments on my used car. That's not to say that I haven't won a little something every now and again, including $500 one time!! 

Having no guarantee of what you will get in return, you put down a little bit of cash to get a ticket. Personally, I keep the faith that I would at least get my money back--but again no guarantee. This holds true no matter how much you "invest". And therein lays the gamble--you may get something back, or you might not. You may get a huge return on investment or bupkiss. But still, we put money in with the idea that we will get something back. 

Kindness parallels this model of uncertainty. 

I choose to be kind. I choose to invest my kindness in strangers and friends alike, without any guarantee on possible returns. I choose to be kind and give of myself not in the hopes that I may reap any kind of benefits, but that my kindness may inspire others to give more of themselves, and so on and so forth. It's as simple as a smile or holding the door for someone. One of the things I enjoy the most is paying for someone's coffee or meal at a drive thru and then watching for their reaction in the rear view. Most times, it's surprise and appreciation--others it looks like a ho hum, I got a free meal. Again, no guarantee that the kindness is returned or even appreciated--but I invested in someone else. I planted that seed of kindness, and now it's time to see if it blossoms or shrivels. 

So keep investing, keep scratching, and some day--you'll hit it big.