Rolling Reflections 33
Source: Common Sense on Mutual Funds – Jack Bogle
Lesson: “Everybody talks about long-term investing, but nobody does anything about it.”
Reflection: The parallels perceived from reading this book and in relation to strength training, health, and career advancement have been consistent. Long term planning is usually rooted in the development or unmasking of principles that can be repeated over time that can lead to a larger goal. I think our society idolizes the end outcome and markets to unrealistic means of getting there. We market the shortcut. We likely have to market it because it often doesn’t work. The path and simple answer doesn’t have to market itself because it’s efficacy is common knowledge. Progressive resistance is the key to becoming stronger in any field. Our thought processes, bodies, and spirit needs to be challenged. This will allow for maybe not a rebirth, but the development or awakening of who we can be.
Source: Dan John – 40 years and a whistle
Lesson: Three Secrets to Success “1. Show up! 2. Don’t Quit 3. Ask Questions
Reflection: I’m not sure I have anything to add to this formula. I personally struggle with the ask questions portion of the formula. I think all three of these secrets need cultivation. It takes a modicum of courage to show up. I think we have perceptions about the way events or interactions will go, and clearing the mental hurrdle is often the first step. Endurance is necessary to prevent quitting, but this takes practice as well. The secret beyond the secret of not quitting also comes from Dan John which comes from Dick Notmeyer (spell) – Little and often over the long haul. Asking questions also takes practice. I reflect on many of my meetings with people I look up to and having a million questions, but not knowing where to start. I think we naturally are better with conversations and this will often spur questions.
Source: Earl Nightingale – “success is really nothing more than the progressive realization of a worthy ideal. This means that any person who knows what they are doing and where they are going is a success. Any person with a goal toward which they are working is a successful person.”
Lesson: I need to picture who I want to be
Reflection: I had a coaching call with Dan John and he asked what my goal was and what I hoped to get out of the call. I knew he was going to ask the question when I prepared for the call. At that time I wanted him to tell me what to do with my life. I feel like I’ve put myself in this situation multiple times. Wanting divine intervention that will tell me all I need to know. It’s like the Christmas story where you see the life ahead and it provides you the opportunity to make a change now. We all have the ability to change, but I’m uncertain there’s ever an intervention that gives us the insight we desire.
Performance, like life, has speed limits – Dan John
Seeking Progress 