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Thoughts on a train trip…

I took a train into Chicago today for a training session that was held downtown. The long (hour and forty minute) trip each way gave me plenty of time to think – and it gave me a topic for this week’s blog post.

As I watched the train zoom past cars that were stopped at crossings, it struck me how efficient a train is when traveling between two specific points. It has a fixed route that takes the most direct path between point A and point B and all other vehicle traffic has to stop to make way for it. Other than scheduled stops at the stations along its route, the train stops for nothing enroute to its scheduled destination.

All that is great… as long as the train’s destination is where you want to go.

What, however, if where you want to go isn’t one of the scheduled stops for the train you are on? I think that many people, myself included, jump on board a given train before we give enough thought to where it might take us. Somewhere along the way, if we are observant, we see that the train’s destination isn’t going to be all that we were expecting… but then what?

Do we stay in our comfortable seats and determine to make the best of whatever we find at our final destination? Do we gather up our belongings and make a beeline for the door so that we can get off the train at the next stop and adjust our route? Or do we signal for an emergency stop, break out a window, and leap from the train so that we don’t spend another minute moving toward an unwanted destination?

Clearly, I’m at the point where I have recognized that my train is heading somewhere that I don’t really want to go. I’m determined that I won’t take the easy path and just sit back and hope that my destination turns out to be better than I expect. On the other hand, as much as a part of me would like to take the third option, declare an emergency and leap from the train that I’m on, I feel that my responsibilities take precedence over my immediate desires. Still, while I can’t deny a bit of envy for those in a position to take that third option, I think that the middle path has a lot to recommend it.

Recognizing that one is on the wrong train and determining to correct that is a significant step. Once you’ve decided to get off the train, you don’t have to take a blind leap, however. Instead, you can pull out your map and plan for your next change in route, calmly move toward the door and be ready to exit the train at the station that puts you in the best possible location to strike out in a new direction. That is my plan, anyway.

Until next time… Still seeking success,

Mike

Posted in Identifying My Purpose.

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By admin – January 25, 2010

Christmas Every Day!

During the just-completed holiday season, I spent a good deal of time thinking about what makes Christmas special to me. Yes, there is the obvious religious significance – I am definitely a believer. However, in a broader sense, Christmas causes me to reflect on all of the things for which I have to be thankful. That is an important realization for anyone who struggles (as I sometimes do) with a negative outlook on their life and situation.

I’ve found that when I look around me at everything that is right and positive in my life, those things form a powerful counterpoint to the relatively few negatives. I truly am blessed in many ways and I find myself very thankful for those blessings – once I’ve been able to break away from my self-absorbed obsession with the things that I want to change. I’ve often heard it said that one of the keys to a positive attitude is gratitude, but it wasn’t until this past holiday season that the truth behind that saying became evident to me. For some reason, sitting in a midnight, candlelight church service on Christmas eve, this thought became lodged in my mind. Since then, I’ve made a conscious effort to count my blessings more often and I’ve experienced a definite improvement in my overall attitude as a result.

My sincere gratitude for all of the great things in my life doesn’t in any way diminish my desire to change other aspects of my life, however. Rather, reflecting on those blessings that I already have gives me renewed hope and optimism that I will be able to achieve ever greater things in the future. Some of the best things in my life right now are those that I spent years wondering whether I would ever be able to enjoy (a happy marriage is at the top of that list). Knowing that I now have achieved that and so many other positive goals – whether due to my own efforts or to divine providence – makes me realize that the hopes and dreams that I have for the future are just as possible (and in many ways, much easier) to obtain than many of the current blessings that I too often take for granted today.

I therefore have a new resolution for the New Year… Continuously count my blessings, keeping the sense of gratitude and thanksgiving that this Christmas brought me foremost in my mind. Then it truly will be Christmas every day.

Until next time… Still seeking success,

Mike

Posted in Inspiration.

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By admin – January 11, 2010

A Lesson in Perspective – Highway Traffic!

So much in life depends on one’s perspective. I had a good reminder of this fact when traveling home for the holidays. My wife and I drove instead of flying on this trip, and our 600 mile route took us through several major cities and a lot of empty countryside. One thing that stayed consistent during our trip was the nature of the other drivers on the road… they were traffic hazards!

First, were the maniacs who seemed hell-bent on passing everything on the road (in other words, the drivers who were driving faster than me). Then were the menaces who impeded everyone’s progress with their infuriating slowness (these were the ones driving slower than me). I mean, come ON people! Is it that hard to pick up on the fact that I’m the one who always drives at exactly the perfect speed? Can’t everyone see that if they just drove sanely (i.e. exactly as I do) that we would all be better off?

I suppose that it was about halfway through our trip when it struck me that the preconceptions that I was forming about the other drivers (those nuts!) who were sharing the road with me might be just a bit skewed. To the maniacs, I was probably one of the slow menaces… and to the slow-pokes, I could very well be seen as one of the maniacs. Every driver’s perceptions depended upon how other’s driving compared to their own.

Some food for thought… In how many situations in life other than driving does this hold true? I think that it is very common any time we encounter a new situation or person. To a certain extent, we can’t help but view these encounters from the perspectives with which our past experiences have left us. However, if we’re aware of this effect… well, maybe we can give the maniacs and the menaces (whether human or situational) that we will inevitably encounter the benefit of the doubt. Maybe we can avoid jumping to conclusions too quickly. Perhaps we’ll even recall that there are multitudes of different perspectives from which we can choose to view a given person or situation.

In the coming weeks, with the insights from my trip fresh in mind, I plan to maintain greater awareness of the perspectives from which I am viewing the people and situations around me. I have a feeling that it will be an eye-opening experience.

Until next time… Still seeking success,

Mike

Posted in Perspective is Everything.

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By admin – January 5, 2010

Happy New Year – Resolution Time!

Hope everyone has a very Happy New Year in 2010. One of my resolutions this year is to become more regular with my blog postings. I’m tempted to say that I’ll make one entry a day… but to be more realistic, I think I’ll start with one per week.

Upcoming posts will feature some interesting insights I gained from my recent trip home for the holidays. For now… good night and God bless! Happy New Year!

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By admin – January 1, 2010

Finding Your Purpose – Preview

In my search for my higher purpose, one of my first steps was to look for books that have been written on the subject. One that jumped out at me immediately was Barbara J. Braham’s “Finding Your Purpose.”

Although I’ve only read half of the book so far, I can see that it holds promise. This was made evident to me in one of the opening passages: “Mission, vision, vocation, calling, bliss, meaning, passion—these are just some of the words that have been used to describe our human need to identify and express our purpose. Ultimately, finding your purpose is a spiritual quest. It represents your ability to connect with something greater than yourself. “Why am I here?” goes far deeper than what career is best for you. The remainder of this book will help you look inside yourself for your answers, which is the only place you will find them.”

That last passage rang particularly true for me. Really, where else but within ourselves are we ever going to uncover our true purposes? I already know from personal experience that I can definitely recognize what is NOT my true life’s purpose. Therefore, it stands to reason that the opposite will be the case as well.

In future posts, look for a full book review of Braham’s “Finding Your Purpose.” I look forward to completing her book and to passing along my impressions of her work. So far, it is off to a very strong start.

Until next time… Still seeking success,

Mike

Posted in Identifying My Purpose.

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By admin – August 24, 2009

Find An Inspiration

When it comes to finding one’s purpose in life, it is always helpful to have others to look up to – those who have discovered their own purpose in life. Such inspiration is even more meaningful when its source is someone you know. My wife is such an inspiration to me.

Amy is a teacher. She is the librarian at the high school where she works. She also is the yearbook advisor and the webmaster for the district website. For this coming school year, she will also be teaching a creative writing class. I’ve met very few individuals who have found such contentment and enjoyment in their work lives.

Does Amy ever have a bad day at work? Absolutely! I’ve heard all the stories about disruptive kids and (sadly) even more disruptive parents. There are bureaucratic hassles and general craziness with which she must deal on a daily basis. However, this never changes the underlying reality that she loves her job. I see it in the way that she spent countless (unpaid) hours this summer preparing for her new class. Not out of a sense of duty or obligation, but with a very recognizable air of excitement.

At times, I give Amy a bit of grief about the fact that she has so much time off in the summer. When she asks me if I would want to trade places with her, however, I think about how I would feel after three months off of work… how much I would fear returning to work after that long of a period off. I know how I feel on Sunday nights after just a weekend off of work. I also know how I feel after just a couple of weeks vacation… the dread of what I have to return to. Amy, however, though she may make the occasional complaint about how quickly the summer passes, is always eager for a new school year to commence. She has, through self-awareness or just simple luck, somehow found a profession that meshes seamlessly with her life purpose.

I am envious.

Where my work life is concerned, one of my greatest desires is to find a job that won’t leave me dreading Monday mornings or looking forward to Friday afternoons. I am confident that such a job exists for me – for all of us – because I’ve seen that it is a reality for others. If you ever waver in your search for your own purpose (and a job to match it) just look around you. I’m sure you will find examples, much as I did, of those who are living life in alignment with their purpose. Just look for those who smile when they talk about their work…

Until next time… Still seeking success,

Mike

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By admin – August 23, 2009

Success Secrets of the World’s Biggest Ball of Twine

My wife and I recently returned from a trip to Minnesota that featured a stop in Darwin, MN – home of the world’s largest ball of twine (rolled by one man). I love that kind of stuff… though my wife was slightly less enthusiastic. :)

One thing that struck me about the ball of twine was the dedication of its crafter, Francis Johnson. Over the course of 29 years, Johnson created the 17,400 pound ball. This was clearly a labor of love that culminated, well after Johnson’s death in 1989, in a tourist attraction that rejuvenated the economy of Darwin, Minnesota. I doubt if this result was uppermost in the mind of Francis Johnson when he began his incredible undertaking, but his dedication nevertheless resulted in a huge boon to the small midwestern town that he called home.

The success secret that I gleaned from my visit to the world’s largest ball of twine is simply this: do what you love. Unfortunately, Francis probably died without realizing what his quest would eventually mean to his community. He didn’t live to appreciate the fame and fortune that would derive from his fantastic undertaking. However, I have to believe that his efforts produced their own reward for him. No one invests twenty-nine years of their life in a seemingly fruitless undertaking unless they enjoy it.

Not every labor of love will result in a tourist attraction that draws visitors from every state in the US (as, believe it or not, the twine ball does). However, even if our labors of love never achieve this level of recognition, we will nevertheless experience a great deal more  personal satisfaction as a result of pursuing them.

My takeaway from my visit to the world’s largest ball of twine is that I need to discover my own passion – and pursue it with the same vigor that Francis Johnson exhibited. If success does not result in my own lifetime… so be it. At least I will have lived a life worthy of mention in the company of a true original – Francis Johnson.

Thank you for the inspiration, Francis!

Until next time… Still seeking success,

Mike

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By admin – August 17, 2009

Survivor’s Guilt… Debunked!

For this inaugural posting in my “Pitfalls and Roadblocks” section, I’m focusing upon the phenomenon known as “survivor’s guilt.” This term has been coined to describe the guilt experienced by employees who survive a round of layoffs. While I have friends who have been the victims of recent layoffs, my survivor’s guilt is of a broader nature.

My survivor’s guilt is based upon the fact that, in the midst of a global recession, when many people are unemployed or otherwise struggling to make ends meet, I find myself dissatisfied with my current circumstances – i.e. full-time, relatively lucrative employment. I sometimes find myself thinking, “Am I being ungrateful? I have what many would consider to be a great job, but it just doesn’t seem to be enough for me. Why can’t I be satisfied with what I have?”

After long reflection, I’ve begun to recognize this type of thinking as the roadblock on the road to success that it is. In the end, we are all in business for ourselves. It is each individual’s responsibility to work to achieve their life purpose in the most fulfilling way possible. We should not feel guilty for seeking to better ourselves and our circumstances – regardless of the circumstances in which others find themselves.

It is not outside the realm of possibility that I could be the next layoff victim at my employer. If the cost-benefit analysis leads them to conclude that my position is better filled by a lower-cost offshore resource, then I could easily be shown the door. If that were to happen tomorrow, my wife and I would be in a great deal of financial difficulty. My responsibility, therefore, is to work to make the most of my potential – both in the context of my current position and in pursuit of my ideal employment situation. I don’t quite know what that ideal situation is right now, but I know that I have no need to apologize for pursuing it. Neither do you!

Until next time… Still seeking success,

Mike

Posted in Pitfalls and Roadblocks.

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By admin – August 16, 2009

Finding My Purpose – A Pet Peeve

The opening chapter of a success-oriented book that I read recently focused on the importance of aligning one’s occupation with one’s greater life purpose. The logic behind this advice was very straightforward. Basically, success requires a great deal of commitment and hard work, as well as a strong desire that will allow one to overcome any obstacles that interfere in the achievement of their goals. If a person’s daily activities are in alignment with a meaningful purpose that drives them forward, they will naturally put in the hard work and exhibit the commitment that is required to achieve extraordinary results.

This logic was very appealing to me. I completely agree with the concept that I will work harder and more effectively when I’m totally committed to the task at hand and see how it links to my greater life purpose. The big problem for me, however, arises when I try to identify exactly what my greater purpose is.

That is one of my greatest pet peeves where such books are concerned. Often, everything is based on the idea that one understands his or her purpose in life. If you do, and you then do X, Y, and Z, you’ll be able to overcome any obstacles and will be guaranteed success.

Okay, I buy it. It makes a great deal of sense to me. But if you haven’t yet discovered your purpose in life… what then? The books that I’ve read are deafeningly silent on that front. How exactly do you determine what your purpose in life is?

This is a secret ingredient of the recipe for success that I’m determined to uncover. In future postings, I’ll be revealing the results of my research into the subject of determining one’s purpose. I hope to come closer to identifying my own purpose as a result of this pursuit – and perhaps I’ll stumble across something that will help you do the same!

Until next time… Still seeking success,

Mike

Posted in Identifying My Purpose.

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By admin – August 15, 2009

About Me

My name is Mike Wayne. I’ve started this blog to chronicle my search for success. Why have I chosen this forum? Who knows, perhaps some of my discoveries along the way will be useful to someone else. Just as likely, maybe a visitor to this site will have some useful advice to share that I can put to use.

What will you find here? Clearly, “success” is a broad subject. The word means many different things to different people. So I expect that the postings on this site will be relatively wide-ranging as well. From book reviews to random thoughts and insights, my only criteria for publishing a post is that it be focused on some aspect of creating a successful life.

A little about me: I’m in my mid-forties and am married. I have a BS degree in Information Technology and an MBA. I work as a Project Manager in Chicago. I’ve held a number of different jobs throughout my working life, yet have never had a postion that I truly found fulfilling. I haven’t given up, however. That search is one of the key elements of my overall search for success.

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By admin – August 14, 2009