In the first article today I comment on “faked success.” I think we often have empty definitions of what success really is. Perhaps this old poem says it best.
Success
He has achieved success
who has lived well,
laughed often, and loved much;
who has enjoyed the trust of pure women,
the respect of intelligent men
and the love of little children;
who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
who has left the world better than he found it
whether by an improved poppy,
a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;
who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty
or failed to express it;
who has always looked for the best in others
and given them the best he had;
whose life was an inspiration;
whose memory a benediction.
1905 by Bessie A. Stanley
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Last week a Palm Springs, CA man who was never in the military was charged with wearing the Navy's highest honor. Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles say 39-year-old Steven Burton was photographed wearing the Navy Cross along with the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and other medals.
This guy made his grand entrance at his high school reunion. I guess being a bank teller wasn’t the image he wanted to share with his former classmates. Unfortunately for Burton, another classmate was a real Navy commander and after a few questions decided to contact the FBI. Authorities say Burton could face up to a year in federal prison if convicted.
Are we really caught up in that much pressure to appear “successful?” Is it embarrassing to be a faithful and happy family man who drives a UPS truck, or grows organic vegetables, or works on an assembly line? Or a woman who has chosen to be a stay-at-home mom rather than climb the corporate ladder? Would being a marriage counselor or a grade-school teacher be viewed as adequate success?
What parts of our lives do we want our old classmates to know about? Are good health, spiritual vitality and loving relationships enough to be proud of as a life well lived?
For years I have borrowed this definition of success: “Success = the progressive realization of worthwhile goals.” That allows success for a college sophomore who is learning to learn, or for the person who chooses to teach reading in the ghetto, or for the artist who create beautiful works, or for the individual who delivers the mail – and a smile.
Stories of faking success are not new. Frank Abagnale, Jr. (inspiration for the movie Catch Me if You Can) successfully impersonated an airline pilot, a doctor, a prison inspector and a lawyer – and passed $2.5 million in fake bills – all before he was 21 years old. In the movie, the pursuing FBI agent observed that “sometimes it’s easier living the lie.” I suspect that’s true for many people.
Does your definition of success match where you are in life? Or do you find it necessary to fake success at your high school reunion? If you could write your life as a movie script, what changes would you make?
The sultan of Persia had sentenced two men to death. One of them, knowing how much the sultan loved his stallion, offered to teach the horse to fly within a year in return for his life. The sultan, fancying himself as the rider of the only flying horse in the world, agreed.
The other prisoner looked at his friend in disbelief. “You know horses don’t fly. What made you come up with a crazy idea like that? You’re only postponing the inevitable.” “Not so,” said the first prisoner. “I have actually given myself four chances for freedom. First, the sultan might die during the year. Second, I might die. Third, the horse might die. And fourth…I might teach the horse to fly.” Source: The Craft of Power, R.G.H. Siu, 1979
Wow – I like this guy’s thinking. Rather than giving in to victim mentality, with one creative suggestion, he creates four possible outcomes other than just being put to death.
So let’s imagine you’ve just been told your job is being eliminated? Can you propose a solution that would allow for multiple outcomes and would benefit both you and your employer?
Welcome to 48 Days radio where each week I look through the submitted questions and then blast through as many as possible right here to give you the unique tools for your own success. As you can see, questions about work are never about just work. Work is simply one tool for a successful life.
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I would like to start a side business offering seminars and training to businesses and individuals. Many of the concepts I am qualified to teach have come from my recent readings. I am concerned about my rights to teach material developed by others. What legal and ethical issues should I consider when developing such a business?
I'm 58 & have served as a minister over a period of 40 years. It is my passion & I truly love & enjoy serving in ministry. After 4 years w/ a local church, I was fired on 12/30/08. I have applied to teach at Christian schools & junior college but no luck. I applied yesterday to be a hospital chaplain -- maybe I'll hear from them. With my CDL, I could be a chauffer for a limo or bus. Do you have any ideas, suggestions or options?
If there is something in the public domain that someone has taken and redone, is the original still public domain? Can someone else take that and change it and do their own thing?
I am a retired elementary teacher. I need extra income, but am limited on money and limited physically. Any suggestions as to what job I could do to make more than $8 an hour and to withstand my health issues would be greatly appreciated. I have always wanted my own business, but do not know what that could be. Where do I start?
I really would like to get your book, 48 Days to the Work You Love, but can't afford it right now, do you know if its available in local library? I’m a 53 year old single mom, still trying to find out what I want to be when I grow up. Working now, but not fulfilled.
I have read "48 Days to the Work You Love" and "No More Mondays" I totally understand the concept of doing what you love and what God gifted you to do, however, I have thought and prayed for the past several months and I honestly don't know what my passion is and what gifts and talents God has given me.
************************** If you have a question, just email me at askdan@48Days.com and you can ask about starting your own business, getting a better job, or finding your purpose in life.
And you can click the link below to listen to this week’s broadcast immediately – no downloading – no wait.
Coaching with Dan
Many of you ask if I still coach people individually. Yes, I do. Feel like you've taken too much time to get to the success you want? Is fear holding you back? These are common issues with the hundreds of people that contact us each month looking for a new start. Give us some brief information and I'll recommend one of my coaching packages or recommend one of the other coaches in our 48 Days network to launch you into the next successful season of your life: Coaching with Dan
************************** Lessons of Life -- "I was walking down fifth avenue today and I found a wallet, and I was gonna keep it, rather than return it, but I thought: well, if I lost a hundred and fifty dollars, how would I feel? And I realized I would want to be taught a lesson." - Emo Philips
************************** Downshifters – Yes, this is a great new term for those workers who are disenchanted with working harder just to own more “stuff.” These downshifters are giving up stuffitis and trading hours at work for time with family. The proportion of U.S. society making this change has grown from 5% in the 1960s to 26% today. Source: World Future Society
************************** i-resign.com. This is a fun and factual site to help you leave your job. You will find legal, financial, personal and security advice for leaving your job. If you want examples of resignation letters, including serious, straight to the point, and humorous, go to: I-resign.com
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At 48Days.net you’ll see over 4200 other excited people who have ideas – and plans to make 2010 their best year ever. If you want your life to be different in 2010, get involved with people who are on the same path. There is no cost – just lots of people who are committed to helping each other succeed.
************************** What makes you unique?
Don't put your time in an area that doesn't even "fit" you.
The most popular resource we have continues to be the 48 Days Career Profile. With your unique strengths, what kind of work should you be doing?" You can find out here.
After being laid off from three jobs in the past year, Dewey was hired to work in a warehouse.
Unfortunately, one day he lost control of the forklift and drove it off the loading dock. Surveying the damage, the owner shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, Dewey, but I'm going to have to withhold 10 percent of each of your paychecks until we recover the costs of the damage."
Don't put your time in an area that doesn't even "fit" you.
