READY FOR THE RESULTS?

Of course you are. In fact if you're like most of us you can hardly wait. Whether it's your intention or your aim, chances are your motives and motivations are largely fueled by your insatiable desire for results. And why not? After all, results (in our results-driven society) are the coveted crown of both personal and professional achievement. And as a result, tend to garner all the glory.

Despite all the overenthusiastic adulation, however, results truly are a wonderful and worthy thing. But they're far from the only thing. In fact, according to Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, results are little more than an after-effect, a by-product, and an offshoot. They are "an effect brought about by something."

"An after-effect? An offshoot? Brought about by what?" you may wonder. Well, here's a hint. A process (again by definition) is a method, means, or manner. It is "a series of actions to achieve a result."

So...there you have it. There's your answer. A result is something that is "brought about" by a process. Here then, is the impending question. If results are in fact little more than the result of a process, why the *^&% is it that the results continue to pocket all the praise?

As I've said many times before if there's one thing Everyday Earnest Effort has taught me it's to fully appreciate the process, and trust me I ain't alone on this. In his book Do You!, Hip Hop mogul Russel Simmons echoes my sentiments again and again. "I'll say it one more time," asserts the award-winning author. "The actual work is the process by which you obtain happiness. Not the results. Please understand that. Don't think that there's gonna be gold at the end of the road. Instead, value the process, and you'll see that the road has been paved with gold all along."

Personally, I've gawked and gazed down that road for most of my life, fancifully dreaming of all that's possible. And sadly, it's led me to give up far too soon on things I dearly love. Because just like the young boy who in this age-old Zen story travels across Japan to the school of a famous martial artist, I too had one eye stubbornly fixed on the destination.

When the boy arrives, he meets with the master who asks, "What do you wish from me?" I wish to be your student and become the finest karateka in the land," the boy replied. "How long must I study?" "Ten years at least," the master answered. "Ten years is a long time," said the boy. "What if I studied twice as hard as all your other students?" "Twenty years," replied the master. "Twenty years! What if I practice day and night?" "Thirty years," was the master's reply. "How is it that each time I say I will work harder, you tell me that it will take longer?" the boy asked. "The answer is clear," said the master. "When one eye is fixed on your destination, there is only one eye left with which to find the way."

These days I'm happy to report I've reset my sights. Sure I still tend to glance down the road every now and then, but I'm no longer puttin the cart before the horse. Instead, I'm focusing on the process, I'm honoring that process, and through doin so, have gained an entirely new perspective.

Surely you've heard the expression "Stop and smell the roses." Well consider this if you will. The next time you feel the urge to arch over and take a whiff, reach down and grab a handful of the soil those roses are rooted in. Go ahead, give it a good long look, coddle it for a moment, then, gently let it sift back down between your fingers. Now understand, that without some things others simply cannot flourish and grow. Not roses. Not ourselves.

Results, like roses, in all their radiant splendor, will no doubt always shine brightest. That's just the way it is. Yet with that said, isn't it good to know what really, and I mean really, makes em shine. See ya soon. Till then, keeep it up.

STORY TIME

Ever feel empowered after readin a good book, hearin a great song, or watchin a gripping movie? How about after listenin to a motivating speech or talk, or seein the home team come from behind to narrowly win it at the buzzer? The reason I ask is because on the slipcover of a book I recently read were printed the praiseful words, "This empowering book..." Now, although it was a good read and all, I gotta tell ya, I'd be lyin if I told ya that it left me feeling empowered. Inspired? Yea. But empowered? Eh, not so much.

Of course maybe if I'd written the book. Maybe if I'd spent countless hours dauntlessly gazing at the empty page pondering the exhaustive list of potential reasons why I can't or shouldn't write it and wrote it anyway, then I'd feel empowered. Maybe in the midst of a long and turbulent string of sleepless nights wrestling with the unthinkable idea of what if I don't do it I did it anyway, then I'd feel empowered. Maybe if in spite of all my doubts and fears I eventually conquered all my doubts and fears by simply buckling down and focusing on the work at hand, then I'd feel empowered. Maybe, just maybe, if after the better part of a good long while I had remained fully committed to doin that work and through it all finally proved to myself once and for all that I could do it, then, I would feel empowered.

Remember Taylor from the last time around, the 18-year-old girl who loves playin soccer but hates those dreaded running drills her coach doles out to the team during practice? Personally I felt that was a pretty inspiring story. But I'm guessin that if anyone was empowered by Taylor's story it had to be Taylor herself. I mean after all, she made the commitment, she put in the effort, she endured the pain, she took the necessary steps to find her stride, and after two tireless months of puttin her nose to the grindstone she's the one who hit it. Empowering? Hell yea! For Taylor.

The point is, inspiration is one thing, and if ya need some just take a look around. Because what you'll find is that while Taylor's story is a unique and personal one, it's also one that's not all that uncommon. If you're lookin to be empowered, however, well, that's another thing altogether. That's a whooole 'nother story. One I'm sure is just waitin to be written. Get my drift. See ya soon. Till then, keeep it up.