I don't know why, this thought, and this post has been on my mind again and again lately...
When I first heard the quote,
"You get what you tolerate."
I thought it was fantastic and true. Our organization, our teams, our business develops to the level that we TOLERATE the noise, the distraction, the lack of focus, etc., etc.
More recently, I have been thinking about this with respect to my own life...
What is the life that I have been "tolerating"?
What is my own behavior in my own life, that I have been tolerating?
It's a difficult question.
And, it causes me pause.
"YOU GET WHAT YOU TOLERATE…"
So if I raise the bar,
raise my own bar,
then maybe I can achieve more…
more happiness...
more whatever...
BUT, the more I think about that quote, the more I DISLIKE it...
And, I now dislike it... A LOT.
It suggests that we are not inherently motivated to reach beyond our expectations.
It suggests that we by default will settle.
It suggests that we ultimately set the pace.
And, I disagree.
I believe a more accurate & more powerful statement is…
YOU GET WHAT YOU INSPIRE
I believe people want to contribute at the highest possible level, and it is our role as leaders to help FAN their fire, not "turn up the heat".
I know that I want to live my life at the highest and best possible level, and in my own mind, I need to fan my flames, find MORE inspiration... and achieve greater wisdom and happiness.
I believe we are capable of much greater things that we can ever imagine.
I believe we can accomplish more than I could ever ask of ourselves,
and I don't want to limit myself or others to simply,
what I am willing to TOLERATE... How sad is that?
"You get what you tolerate", defines the roof on a building… limits the height of our achievement.
"You get what you inspire", fuels the rocket to reach new heights… and sets no limits.
It's one word –
INSPIRE instead of TOLERATE
but its a WHOLE different approach…
It's a whole different culture…
It leads to a much greater and more fulfilling VICTORY!
What do you do to INSPIRE your company, your team, your division, your family?
What do you do to INSPIRE YOURSELF?
What do you do to help FAN THEIR FLAMES and yours?
Look for every opportunity to speak to people with your highest goals and explicit values…
Don't shy away from showing people your vision. Don't shy away from allowing your vision to help inspire theirs.
Allow, encourage people to see their own canvas…
Encourage people to DREAM... and allow yourself to do the same.
Winning for us isn't about defining the ceiling… it really is about fanning the flames… and breaking through!
You get what you INSPIRE!
Harmony... it's in a single word,
and in the smallest detail.
Keep finding your spark...
And, fan the flames of harmony!
Nestor