Scott Perry's Blog, page 50
October 27, 2019
Exceptional
What does it mean to be exceptional?
It starts when you decide to stop accepting the way things are and not simply keep doing what's expected. That's the short, clear circular path of the status quo.
And there's nothing wrong with that path. Things are generally fine just as they are. So are you, for that matter. The path of the expected offers plenty of comfort and happiness.
But at some point, some of us see the potential not achieved and the promise undelivered and we decide that we simply can not abide. We discover that we are no longer able to settle.
So it begins, The Striving. The relentless pursuit of "better."
And that journey is neither short nor clear. It's rugged, unmarked, and endless.
And it can't be travelled alone. You can't be selfish and exceptional. You must be selfless. You have to be of service. That's why the path of exceptional delivers resilience and joy.
So, there you are. You have choices. Time to choose.
Which path are you on today?
Let's keep flying higher!
Scott
Looking for some fellow travelers on the path to exceptional? Consider joining us inside Difference Makers!
October 22, 2019
The Virtues of Gratitude
Gratitude is appreciation for what you have and receive. You may be grateful for a tangible object or an intangible concept. Regardless, when you mindfully and genuinely practice gratitude, it can bring profound benefits to your life — not the least of which is greater happiness.
Expressing gratitude acknowledges the goodness in your life. Even more, it helps you recognize that the source of that goodness lies outside of yourself. Once you perceive goodness flowing to you, you begin to feel connected with others and something bigger than you.
That sense of connection brings gratitude, as well as opportunities to let goodness flow through you to other people as well. When you contextualize yourself, your circumstances, and your surroundings within a broader framework that acknowledges others, goodness appears not as something to be manufactured for yourself but as a gift received from beyond yourself. And when you receive goodness as a gift, you’ll want to share it with others.
Sharing not only reinforces social bonds and a sense of belonging. It also increases appreciation and gratitude for what we already have, since we give not out of scarcity but from sufficiency.
When we see and act as if we have enough to share and still have enough, we are naturally grateful for what we have and what we have to give. And that gratitude boosts contentment, optimism, and resilience.
Be grateful.
Let's keep flying higher together!
Scott
This is an excerpt from the book, Endeavor: Cultivate Excellence While Making a Difference.
During the month of November, the Creative on Purpose Difference Maker Community is exploring the virtues of gratitude together. We'd love to have you join us! Click the button below to learn more and enter the coupon code LETSGO! to receive a 50% discount on a monthly or annual subscription.
October 20, 2019
What I've Been Reading - Fall 2019
This article contains affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase, Creative On Purpose receives a commission. Thank you!
"Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn
Books are my go-to source for inspiration and information in my endeavors. Here are four books that currently inform my journey in developing Creative On Purpose and help me enhances the lives of those who collide with it.
Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell, by Eric Schmidt et al
Schmidt, former CEO of Google, and his co-authors weave an engaging narrative that highlights the importance of values, trust, and relationships in building and leading teams that make a difference.
The Right Story: A Brief guide to Changing the World, by Bernadette Jiwa
Jiwa provides a pragmatic and effective approach to mastering the art of storytelling to persuade, influence and inspire to help make meaningful change happen.
The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life, by David Brooks
Brooks creates a compelling metaphor and crafts an engaging approach for leading a meaningful life by surrendering to a cause or calling that cultivates joy through serving others.
Conscious: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind, by Annaka Harris
Harris persuasively tackles the evolving definitions, philosophies, and science of understanding consciousness and makes a compelling case for why the pursuit of understanding consciousness matters.
These four books, more than any other of the dozens I've recently read, have had the biggest impact on my journey in building the Creative On Purpose brand and developing and delivering on its promise to help others fly higher in endeavors that make a difference. You can find them and other helpful resources in the Creative On Purpose Bookstore.
Let's keep flying higher together!
Scott
October 13, 2019
Of Sufficiency and Striving
Sure, things are pretty much fine just as they are.
So are you for that matter.
And yet...
Things could be made better.
So could you.
Sufficiency is no excuse to stop striving.
How are you stepping into possibility today?
Let's keep flying higher together!
Scott
October 4, 2019
The Status Quo Is Not the Enemy (But It Is in the Way)
The status quo is not the enemy.
But it is in the way.
Sure, things are just fine as they are. It is what it is.
At the same time, things can be better.
So can you.
So....
What if you took a look around and at yourself and asked, “What if...?” And then acted as if...?
Just because you and everything else are sufficient doesn’t mean we can’t strive for better.
How can you step into possibility today? Choose and then...step.
Let's keep flying higher together!
Scott
September 29, 2019
Do Your Thinking on the Ground
I don't recall where I heard it, but I love the exhortation to "Do your thinking on the ground."
Maybe it comes from a quote attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, "Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground."
Sure, keep your head in the clouds. Dream big.
But do it with your feet on the ground.
Meaningful change doesn't happen through dreaming, thinking, or learning.
Advancement comes through the activity of striding into possibility step by deliberate step.
Let's keep flying higher together!
Scott
September 22, 2019
What does it take to make a difference?
What does it take to make a difference?
It helps if you’ve considered the Ancient Greek aphorism, “Know thyself."
You also need to see things as they are. What’s within your control? What’s not?
Most things are not within your control, but some are within your influence. There are always possibilities to choose from.
And to make a difference you must choose and then step into possibility.
If you do that repeatedly with and for others with intention and integrity, you can help make things better.
Are you ready to make a difference? Let's go!
And let's keep flying higher together.
Scott
The Posture and Mindset of a Difference Maker
What does it take to make a difference?
It helps if you’ve considered the Ancient Greek aphorism, “Know thyself."
You also need to see things as they are. What’s within your control? What’s not?
Most things are not within your control, but some are within your influence. There are always possibilities to choose from.
And to make a difference you must choose and then step into possibility.
If you do that repeatedly with and for others with intention and integrity, you can help make things better.
Are you ready to make a difference? Let's go!
And let's keep flying higher together.
Scott
The Posture and Mindset of a Difference-Maker
What does it take to make a difference?
It helps if you’ve considered the Ancient Greek aphorism, “Know thyself."
You also need to see things as they are. What’s within your control? What’s not?
Most things are not within your control, but some are within your influence. There are always possibilities to choose from.
And to make a difference you must choose and then step into possibility.
If you do that repeatedly with and for others with intention and integrity, you can help make things better.
Are you ready to make a difference? If so, I hope you'll join me and other members of the Creative on Purpose Community for a free webinar workshop on how to adopt the posture and mindset of a difference-maker.
Feel free to share this with a friend and let’s go!
And let's keep flying higher together.
Scott
September 15, 2019
“That’s the gig."
"What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him." - Viktor Frankl
Work worth doing is fraught. There will be delays, obstacles, misfortune, and failure.
No amount of learning, preparation, or practice can prepare you for how to handle hardship. Only experience teaches the virtues of acceptance, patience, humility, and resilience. All of these are required to remain resolved and committed to work worthy of your time, talent, and effort.
If the work you seek to do is important. If it's going to make things better. If it's going to enhance the lives of others while you're cultivating excellence through it. It will be hard and, the effort will be worth it whether or not you succeed.
That's the gig.
Striving doesn't require suffering. But it rewards the will to embrace challenges. Accept that, and you can lean into all of this with passion, purpose, and a determined smile.
Let's keep flying higher together.
Scott
