RUTS: Duplication and Repetition

Once again, here are some of the original thoughts that I had jotted down from a recent sermon that I heard on "ruts":
A path or routine you follow day after day
A rut is fixed, rigid
A rut is not creative
A rut is not flexible
A rut cannot change easily
A rut is a route that is safe and gets me there
** "A rut is a grave with both ends knocked out"

I've pointed this out every time I've spoken about in via the podcast or even in writing through the blog but, DID YOU NOTICE THAT LAST ONE?



Today, I'm going to discuss the FACT that even "duplication" and "repetition" can become dangerous ruts.  Like most ruts, they can be something that brings about good, positive results but, as already mentioned, they can also become very dangerous and detrimental.

 

If you are involved (or have been involved) in any "work-from-home opportunity" or "home business" then you are very familiar with the terms, "duplication" and "repetition". For those of you that haven't, "duplication" is the word used to describe a program that has an "easy to follow system" that can be "duplicated" (or followed and copied) by anyone that follows the system or pattern. "Repetition" simply speaks to the idea of then following and implementing that "duplicatable system" over and over again.

 

Many times those promoting duplication and repetition will compare the process to that of following a recipe. If you follow the recipe for an apple pie, you won't come out with biscuits and gravy.

 

Makes sense, right?

 

However, if someone gives you their own personal recipe for a cake they have never cooked because they have never cooked ANYTHING before then, chances are, the "cake" that is produced is not going to be much of a cake (if even that!) even though you follow the recipe exactly. And, no matter how many times you follow - or repeat - that "recipe", the result will always be the same.

 

Does THAT make sense?

 

It should and, yet, so many people "blindly" follow a "recipe" that is doomed for failure and are surprised and disappointed when they end up with exactly that...FAILURE.

 

So, if what you duplicate and repeat is a system that produces failure or inferior results then, guess what? You'll get the same thing. Sometimes, there actually may be a better way to do what has been done before. Rarely is this not true. At some point in time things change and improve (including ideas, thoughts and opinions).

 

I'm sorry but, if someone promotes their recipe for an "incredible - the MOST amazing - chocolate cake that has EVER been created then - guess what? - they should be able to produce a sample of their own product that has come from following that recipe. Right?

 

If you ask them for that "sample" and they tell you, "Well, I have never been successful at making that cake BUT I know someone else that has!" Then, if you ask them if it was the person that gave them the recipe and they say, "No, but it was the person that first introduced this recipe to the person that gave it to the person that gave it to the person that gave it to the person that told me about it"...will you be convinced of the "incredible and amazing" features of this recipe?

 

NOPE.

 

I know this flies in the face of just about every "opportunity" out there and the system by which so many in these "opportunities" swear, but friend, how does this mindset even make sense?

 

Be careful WHAT you follow, WHO you follow and WHY you choose to follow them.

 

Think about this: the blind can easily lead the blind in a rut. Why? Because, again, a rut controls your path and direction. That's the very nature of a rut.

 

Take the time to listen to the podcast (see the two links below) to get more of my thoughts on this, but here's the thing to be aware of even with "duplication" and "repetition": BOTH of these (duplication and repetition) could be a rut or turn into a rut if you are not careful.

 

I will close out this series in the next article, be sure to join me then. Until that time, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

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Can I Be Happy?

"Is it possible for me to be happy even if I'm not living the life I had envisioned?"

This is the question that we are addressing in today's podcast and in today's blog. We talked yesterday about the fact that life doesn't always bring us happy endings - regardless of how badly we wish it to be so!

We also have recently discussed the fact that there are many things that happen during our day (and our lives) that are out of our control and yet, at the same time, there are many things that we CAN control. The example I gave on the podcast was that of your boss coming to you and telling you that he/she wanted you to focus all of your attention on a project for the rest of the day and turn in a report by the afternoon.

Wait a minute! This is not what you had planned but...he/she is the boss and it is out of your control! HOWEVER, how you react to that IS within your control!

You can mope and pout and fuss and gripe and, likely, not put very much effort into the task that has interrupted your "planned day". What's that going to get you?

On the other hand, you can attack this new challenge in a positive way determined to do your best and to leave your "imprint" on a job well done!

IT'S YOUR CHOICE!

Are you living the life that you had envisioned a few years ago?

Some of you are - God bless you! You are likely living a very fulfilling and happy life because you are living the life of your dreams!

There are also some of you living the life that you envisioned but you have found that it is not quite what you thought it would be. Is it still possible for you to be happy?

Then there are many more of you that are NOT living the life that you have envisioned - life has taken you on a completely different course. Is it still possible for you to be happy?

I don't know what the numbers are, but I came across some statistics a few years ago that showed that the majority of people were not using the degree earned through college. They were doing something else that had nothing to do with their planned path in life.

Perhaps that is you! Is it still possible for you to be happy?

PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THIS:

There is a fine line that is walked by people like me that want to encourage and push you to be the best that you can be. If we're all not careful (and this includes you as you read and listen) we can create such a state of uneasiness and frustration in our lives (due to the fact that we are not living out our dreams) that we can become miserable and spend countless years in this state.

YES, you should always stretch and do the BEST that you can do and not be afraid to reach for your dreams! YES, you should do everything you can to not "settle for less" and "demand more" of yourself and your life. (This is so important because so many people have given up on their dreams and just settle for a life of mediocrity).

HOWEVER, we must do all that we can TODAY to make sure that we are not so focused on our future that we forget to LIVE TODAY TO THE FULL and to make the BEST out of what we have TODAY!

Do you see what I mean?

By the way - I mention this on the podcast and I want to do so here as well. THIS message (today's and possibly the last couple and for sure tomorrow's) is one that is badly needed by our teens! The idea of "I'm not doing it if I'm not having fun" is exciting to think and dream about - but for the majority - it's not their reality. What then?

For example, in any "work from home opportunity" that you may involve yourself in - it is important to notice that those people that are used in their advertisements that are doing so well are in the top 2 - 3% of those involved in that business. Is it still possible for you to achieve that level of success? YES! But is it likely? NO!

"But, Mike - that is negative thinking!" No, not really. Please pay close attention to the point that I am trying to make today.

In the example just used, is it still possible for you to be happy and successful even if you are not in that top 2-3%? I think it is!

HERE'S THE KEY - What are you doing TODAY?

Remember, although there are things out of our control - there are many things that ARE within our control.

In tomorrow's podcast and blog I will discuss this idea of HOW we can be happy and successful in our lives even if we are not living the life that we had envisioned.

Until then - make the most of your TODAY and, as always, remember...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike