Onward and Upward

Earlier today, the US soccer team's run of anxiety promoting, heartburn inducing, cardiac-arresting, come-back wins - came to an end.  And hence, their long-shot run at winning the coveted World Cup is alas, not gonna happen.  Sob sob/sniff sniff.

Oh well, it was (mostly) fun, while it lasted. 

So now what!?  Wallow in self-pity?  Scream at the moon?  Kick the dog?  Huff and puff and fuss and muss about the injustice and bummer of it all?  Nah - it's done.  It's over.  Onward and upward.  

As much as that "onward and upward" cliche can sometimes be used in a  kind of flippant, callous and condescending manner - in this case, it fits; like it does in many situations at work, in business and in life.  Sure - sometimes things can happen (especially when we are on the losing end of things) that need serious reflection, and can cause a lifetime (or at a minimum, a short-time) worth of coulda/shoulda/woulda wishful thinking. 

But not here.  Not in this case.  In this case, it was fun while it lasted.  (Albeit sometimes agonizingly fun.)  No one got hurt. The world is still going.  It's time for us to move onward and upward.  Repeat: onward and upward.   Because in the big scheme of things - what with all the other crazy stuff that we have to deal with at work, family, and life - this is just one of those times/situations/events - that deserves the OU treatment.

Onward and Upward is Good.

Wooden It Be Good!?

Yesterday, one of my role models, John Robert Wooden, passed away at the phenomenal age of 99.  For those that don't know, Wooden was an inspirational figure for many (make that millions of many).  And why?  Because simply put, he epitomized servant leadership. 

Sure - he was human, and had flaws.  And, as with any accomplished person, especially if they succeed at work, family, and life - he had his (few) detractors.  That said - 9.9 out of 10 who knew/know better, thought he was pretty awesome.  And for all the right reasons. 

Simply put - Wooden lived a life of genuine leadership, and an unfailing kindness to all.  His heartfelt teachings, which are plentiful, emphasis at their core the importance of "the fundamentals": hard work, discipline, patience, temperament, teamwork, faith, and family.  With that as his foundational mindset, he won 10 national championships.  More so, he won the hearts, minds and souls of countless men and woman throughout the world.  If you have the time, spend a little of it online reading the many accolades, attributes and admiration's about John Wooden.  And check out his highly revered "Pyramid of Success."   I think you'll find it worthwhile, and worthy of posting on your office wall.  

So on behalf of a grateful world, thank you John Wooden.  And in honor of John Wooden, the next time we get to acting like a brash brazen bully, and think we need to rant, rave, belittle, impugn, berate, chastise, torment, yell, ego-trip, or any of those other aggressive "styles" that all too often get used - instead, think about how John Wooden would do it.  In other words, Wooden it be good, to be like Wooden.

Wooden It Is Good. 

Keep It Real, Flaws And All

Maybe its just me, but it seems like lots of peoples are freakishly obsessed with how they look, behave, and perform.  I'm sensing a heightened paranoia over perfection, and perception.  Maybe its a case of the economic hibijibis that's got folks spooked; thinking that if they make a mistake, let alone show their flaws (which we all have, naturally) - that they might be toast.  

Sure - the age-old truisms are true:  perception is reality, and you don't get a second chance to make a first impression.  That said - imperfections are okay.  In fact, the Japanese have a principle called wabi-sabi - which effectively states that there is beauty, in imperfection.

While perfection is good for trains, planes, automobiles, operating rooms, and other life-impacting machinery, it's kind of a put-off in people.  Mistakes happen.  Imperfections abound.  And certainly, we're not perfect: we're human.  In fact, I'd argue that it's better to be human (and real), than robotic. 

Keeping It (Genuinely) Real is Good.