“The mind commands the body and is instantly obeyed. The mind commands itself and meets resistance.” (St. Augustine of Hippo)
Leading others requires first leading yourself.
This will be constant work. You’ve never arrived at a place where you don’t risk slipping backwards. Find ways to preach to yourself, to remind yourself of principles and truths, to encourage your own heart, to push through difficulties, to get up again after a fall, to begin again after a stall.
This is how a spark of motivation gets converted into discipline.
A few important “reminders to self” for you:
- All leadership of others begin with self-leadership, which the most difficult kind of leadership to do consistently well.
- You are precious and important and are also not the center of the universe. This is true for everyone else, too.
- The reason you are easily fooled and misled is your well-honed power of self-rationalization and excuse-making.
- Your giftedness is to help others. Your ego is not your amigo.
- There is neither progress nor true joy when you park your butt in your comfort zone. Do not confuse pleasure and joy.
- We live in an age of exponential technology advances, and people are still fundamentally people.
- History is biography.
- Cause and effect are rarely close in time or space.
- Lies are the foundation of evil. Don’t lie, especially to yourself. Don’t tolerate lies.
- The view out the windshield is bigger than the rear-view mirror.
- “Sewage flows downhill and smoke rises” is commonly true in human organizations, so don’t be surprised.
- Compete with yourself and cheer on everyone else.
- One person with conviction can weigh as much as the majority.
- Riding a tiger is exciting. The problem is the dismount.
A few aphorisms from my grandfather, who was worldly wise with only a 5th grade education:
“You have a belly button, so you’re entitled to your opinion. That’s about all you’re entitled to.”
“The world is a small place. Remember that before you pee in somebody’s cornflakes.”
“Men trade far too much for a few minutes of pleasure with an extra zip at the end. A man does well to keep his pants on.”
“There are many clever bastards. Beware.”
“I’ve never been hurt by tipping generously.”
“Pair up working hard and thinking smart to go far.”
“Don’t worry about laughing loudly.”
