Major_Minor

The pace of modern life has accelerated to breakneck speeds in the digital era.  With the proliferation of technology, we are always tuned in, always accessible, and always accountable in our work lives.  In addition, with an increasing number of dual income households, our home life has become a high-wire juggling act of children’s activities and social events.  There is nothing inherently wrong with this as we all try to move forward in life.  But with all the noise and constant demands on our time, it can become difficult to maintain perspective.  It is easy to get so wrapped up in the whirlwind of competition and comparisons that we lose sight of the big picture.  Every now and then, we have to step back and take a deep breath.  Are we working to satisfy our own ego or to make a better life for our family?   Are we more worried about what other people think of us and our children than what we think of ourselves?  In short, are we properly focused on the truly important things in our lives?

The sermon at the Georgetown Prep Chapel once again drove the point home (If I made any money from the Resilient Worker, I would pay them royalties!)  The priest talked about proper perspective and the danger of “majoring in the minors”.  How true!  In business, we often start off with the lofty major goals of solving our customer’s problems or advancing the progress of mankind.  But we too often slip to focus on the minor goals of making money or impressing our colleagues.  In our family lives, we start off with the major goals of instilling our children with moral values and raising them to maximize their potential.  But it is easy to slip into the minor focus of winning a competition or attending  a top-level high school or college at all costs. In our personal lives, we want to maintain strong, lasting friendships and build a foundation of trust.  But too often we focus on the shortcomings of others and unleash judgment instead of compassion.  Help your customer with their problems and the minor outcome of money will follow.  Build a foundation of confidence and resilience in your children and they will succeed in any area of life.  Focus on trust and forgiveness in your friendships and you won’t have to be shackled with the negative energy of jealousy and judgment in your relationships.  Life is too short to be swept up in the minutia swirling about you every day.  Focusing on the major things in your life is both healthy and uplifting.  Rise above the noise and be that shining example of hope in this world.

Your destiny is to fulfill those things upon which you focus most intently. So choose to keep your focus on truly magnificent things!–Ralph Marston

The minor outcomes and circumstances are not necessarily negative things.  I am not suggesting that we renounce our worldly goods and move to the desert.  Financial success can be liberating.  There is nothing wrong with owning a big house (sign me up!) or a fancy boat (sign up a friend!).  There is nothing wrong with urging your child to excel in competition or wanting your son or daughter to attend an Ivy League School to have a chance at a better life.   Dream big! But those outcomes should not be your focus. Keep providing value for your clients.  Keep loving and supporting your family.  Keep building relationships based on trust and respect.  You cannot go wrong by focusing on the major things in your life.  The minor things will take care of themselves.

It will not be easy.  The distractions and societal pressures will be everywhere.  You will be constantly tempted to focus on the minor things in your life.  Stay strong!  Be resilient!  Maintain your health and your positive outlook.  If you do, you are destined to have a major impact on this world.

Until next week, keep smiling.