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Reality CheckPosted by: Michael Port
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When I realized that being an actor (it was my first career-- see an incomplete list of credits) wasn't as glamorous as I expected it to be I basically gave up. My current work, writing books, speaking publicly, and delivering large scale coaching programs may seem like it presents some of the same trappings, a little notoriety, money, and even influence. But the novelty has worn off, the sheen has become dull, and frankly it doesn't seem so glamorous any longer. But I still love it, want to do it every day, and continue to strive to stand in the service of my customers. Does it mean that I'll do it forever? No. I do, however, think it means I'm pursuing mastery in these areas. Mastery is generally not glamorous. So, I guess my point, or my question is this. Would you do what you do if it weren't glamorous?
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Comments
Posted by Robert on 2007-11-21
I think the statement "we judge ourselves by our best intentions and others by their actions" applies here. Let's face it, our ego will simply not allow us to believe we are mediocre despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Are we a legend in our own minds? Maybe so ...
I think the statement "we judge ourselves by our best intentions and others by their actions" applies here. Let's face it, our ego will simply not allow us to believe we are mediocre despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Are we a legend in our own minds? Maybe so ...
Posted by Courtney Ragonesi on 2007-11-21
I'm working on the other end. I have to convince myself that I am better than I think I am. I rein myself before I get out of the starting gate. People on the outside continually tell me I've got my operation together but I'm still figuring out what they see. It boils down to having a meticulous mind, a mind that once it achieves a level of achievement, it immediately wants more. It won't rest on it's laurels once reaching the destination in mind. Have an incredibly, awesome week!
I'm working on the other end. I have to convince myself that I am better than I think I am. I rein myself before I get out of the starting gate. People on the outside continually tell me I've got my operation together but I'm still figuring out what they see. It boils down to having a meticulous mind, a mind that once it achieves a level of achievement, it immediately wants more. It won't rest on it's laurels once reaching the destination in mind. Have an incredibly, awesome week!
Posted by Kevin McAleer on 2007-11-21
I think there is more to this statement than it first appears
First of all the paragraph does not tell us explicitly how many of the 2000 managers and executives responded. All the paragraph tells us is that "Over 90% of respondents". If only 200 people had responded, then all 200 could be the 10% in question.
Secondly, even if we assume that 2000 managers responded to the poll, there is no way of knowing how many actual executives and middle managers there are in total in the US. There is no way of truly knowing this, we can only guess. I'm willing to guess that there are more than 20,000 managers and this would allow the statement to be true because 2000 is 10% of 20,000, and it may well be that the 2,000 that responded to the poll were a self selecting group (ie the top 10% may have more time to spend answering polls, or the top 10% read business week.
Thirdly, 90% of the people polled may actually have been in the top 10% as the 2000 people polled do not constitute the entire executive/middle-manager pool of people out there.
Finally, I'm right because i'm in the top 10%, and we know these things!
Thanks Michael for this truely thought provoking article.
I think there is more to this statement than it first appears
First of all the paragraph does not tell us explicitly how many of the 2000 managers and executives responded. All the paragraph tells us is that "Over 90% of respondents". If only 200 people had responded, then all 200 could be the 10% in question.
Secondly, even if we assume that 2000 managers responded to the poll, there is no way of knowing how many actual executives and middle managers there are in total in the US. There is no way of truly knowing this, we can only guess. I'm willing to guess that there are more than 20,000 managers and this would allow the statement to be true because 2000 is 10% of 20,000, and it may well be that the 2,000 that responded to the poll were a self selecting group (ie the top 10% may have more time to spend answering polls, or the top 10% read business week.
Thirdly, 90% of the people polled may actually have been in the top 10% as the 2000 people polled do not constitute the entire executive/middle-manager pool of people out there.
Finally, I'm right because i'm in the top 10%, and we know these things!
Thanks Michael for this truely thought provoking article.
Posted by Cathy Norris on 2007-11-21
Why is doing something not as glamous as it once was leaving you unfilled? The world's view is so enticing but, is never fulfilling.
Why? Because we weren't created to be self-indulged individuals. King Solomon had all the worldly trappings but, he didn't find contentment with any of it. Where did he find contentment? Uncover that answer & you too may discover that glamourous if far better as an interrnal reward rather than than an external one.
Why is doing something not as glamous as it once was leaving you unfilled? The world's view is so enticing but, is never fulfilling.
Why? Because we weren't created to be self-indulged individuals. King Solomon had all the worldly trappings but, he didn't find contentment with any of it. Where did he find contentment? Uncover that answer & you too may discover that glamourous if far better as an interrnal reward rather than than an external one.
Posted by Erin Blaskie on 2007-11-21
I think that what sometimes happens is we forget that we can reinvent our current world. If the day-to-day stuff becomes dull, do something different during your day to make it not so dull.
I think glamour comes from within and you can either make your daily activities glamorous or dull - you just need to decide that each day when you wake up in the morning.
Dullness and boredom comes from a lack of challenge. Set a goal or a challenge for yourself that seems unattainable and perhaps that will give you the mojo you need to strive toward something exciting.
Hope this helps!
Erin Blaskie
Business Services, ETC
http://www.bsetc.ca
Giving Business Owners Freedom by Managing the BS, etc.
I think that what sometimes happens is we forget that we can reinvent our current world. If the day-to-day stuff becomes dull, do something different during your day to make it not so dull.
I think glamour comes from within and you can either make your daily activities glamorous or dull - you just need to decide that each day when you wake up in the morning.
Dullness and boredom comes from a lack of challenge. Set a goal or a challenge for yourself that seems unattainable and perhaps that will give you the mojo you need to strive toward something exciting.
Hope this helps!
Erin Blaskie
Business Services, ETC
http://www.bsetc.ca
Giving Business Owners Freedom by Managing the BS, etc.
Posted by Jean Cannon on 2007-11-21
I love what I do but it is certainly NOT glamorous. I have spent years climbing on and off fishing boats, wandering around farms and factories, checking out the waste disposal methods in offices and being on and off planes on a regular basis for many years. There is nothing glamorous about climbing onto the deck of a trawler at 4am in ultra warm clothes that I am prepared to get tuna blood on.
Speaking about my book is more glamorous - at least I am clean and well dresses but getting up to talk at a breakfast while others eat is less so.
Like you, Michael, I am energized by working with clients and doing what i believe I was put on the earth to do.
Bother the glamour! Helping my clients discover that being green is easy is FUN!
Jean
I love what I do but it is certainly NOT glamorous. I have spent years climbing on and off fishing boats, wandering around farms and factories, checking out the waste disposal methods in offices and being on and off planes on a regular basis for many years. There is nothing glamorous about climbing onto the deck of a trawler at 4am in ultra warm clothes that I am prepared to get tuna blood on.
Speaking about my book is more glamorous - at least I am clean and well dresses but getting up to talk at a breakfast while others eat is less so.
Like you, Michael, I am energized by working with clients and doing what i believe I was put on the earth to do.
Bother the glamour! Helping my clients discover that being green is easy is FUN!
Jean
