All Posts by Darrell Gurney

July 29, 2015, TGIW: Unhumping Hump Day…and Challenge

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

“Without a struggle, there can be no progress.” –Frederick Douglass

Perhaps the word “struggle” is a bit dramatic to use around making progress. I once heard someone say “Life is good. Struggle is optional.”

But there can be no doubt that good ol’ meaty challenges do and had better come up if we’re moving a dream forward. Otherwise, it’s probably residing in our mind as a fantasy vs. in reality.

Visioning, as opposed to fantasy, is actually a smart first step. But then, getting on the field and engaging in the sometimes fast, sometimes slow, step-by-step movement forward is where the dream shows up tangibly.

The old saying “Two steps forward, one step back” is often expressed with disappointment because we want full-steam ahead at all times.

Yet, that simple formula propels us at a continual 50% growth rate. There are many entities that would kill for such stats!

The key to the pace at which we move, however, may be our willingness to accept, allow, and even ASK for the challenges. “Bring it on!” might be the rallying cry as we throw ourselves on the sword of our own uplevelment.

What challenge request are you making of the Universe to cut YOU open and make YOU bigger today?

Got challenge?

“Challenge is the pathway to engagement and progress in our lives. But not all challenges are created equal. Some challenges make us feel alive, engaged, connected, and fulfilled. Others simply overwhelm us. Knowing the difference as you set bigger and bolder challenges for yourself is critical to your sanity, success, and satisfaction.” –Brendon Burchard

July 22, 2015, TGIW: Unhumping Hump Day…Unseen

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

“It’s not the towering sail, but the unseen wind that moves the ship.” –Sailors Proverb

We all have lots of “doing” in our kit bags.

It’s usually the first resort as well as the default, go-to solution.

Yet, what if there were winds behind us that we don’t catch because our sails of receptivity are not raised beyond our doing?

Would we be more willing to venture into deep waters?

Got unseen?

“All the strength and force of man comes from his faith in things unseen. He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions.” –James Freeman Clarke

July 15, 2015, TGIW: Unhumping Hump Day…and Effort

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

“It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.” –Theodore Roosevelt

Yuk!

Expressed that way, effort doesn’t sound too attractive…unless medicine without a spoonful of sugar turns you on.

Effort, as defined by Dictionary.com, is “exertion of physical or mental power; an earnest or strenuous attempt; something done by exertion or hard work; the amount of exertion expended for a specified purpose.”

Nothing wrong with effort.  It’s required to bring anything about.

On the other hand, many of us fall into “efforting”, which carries another flavor.

If you look up “efforting”, you’ll find urban dictionary definitions of the word as coined by TV newscasters and editors as a euphemism for their failing to get the job done. “We’re efforting to get the hurricane footage to you.”

Or you’ll find an intellectual analysis of how society is turning certain nouns into verbs, and why “efforting” should not qualify.

Yet, what makes the case for “efforting” as a verb and distinct idea is our penchant for seemingly earnest attempts without results.

The difference between effort and efforting is that the latter includes an element of struggle, pain and even anticipation of less than stellar outcomes. The “woe is me” factor is high. It’s, in effect, having our whine without the cheese at the end of the tunnel.

Effort, on the other hand, mixed with a healthy amount of openness and availability for unexpected and unforseen forces coming to our aid…that’s a recipe for damn good luck.

Effort is a no whine zone.

Got effort?

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” –Lucius Annaeus Seneca

July 8, 2015, TGIW: Unhumping Hump Day…and Ideas

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

“If at first, the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.” –Albert Einstein

What it takes to bring a new idea into form, much less into operation in the world, is not a job for light weights.

As Einstein observes, the idea initially faces the first-blush reviews of absurdity.

Then, there’s gaining awareness and traction for the idea in a world of so much noise, information overload, and social media mayhem.

Also, we can’t forget the existing structures, forces, methods and mindsets that are already so heavily invested in the old ideas.

Yet, new ideas come about. Every day. From nothing…but human creativity and hopeful spirit.

Most die from inattention. Yet some turn into products that improve living, companies that employ thousands, or worldwide movements that inspire millions.

It’s what we do with those (initially) crazy ideas that makes the difference…and it appears that simply sitting on them, letting fear kidnap them, or referencing them in “one day” statements doesn’t work.

What crazy idea have you been perched on that needs to hatch?

Got crazy ideas?

“The new idea either finds a champion or it dies. No ordinary involvement with a new idea provides the energy required to cope with the indifference and resistance that change provokes.” –Tom Peters

July 1, 2015, TGIW: Unhumping Hump Day…and Faith

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” –Saint Augustine

Bringing anything about from nothing, from simple formulation or concept, takes a lot of muscle…whether it be a new career, a company, a piece of art, or even an independent country.

One of those muscles is declaration, the saying of what shall be, no matter what.

That alone takes a rigorous determination, in a world that gives you any and every reason why not [whatever you declared].

Another of the most rigorously worked muscles of creation is faith.

Though we might wish we had a whole reservoir of it already in store, we notice the dearth and must generate it on the spot. It doesn’t come without working the muscle, and easy times require no faith.

It’s been said that only infinite patience yields immediate results and, when it comes down to it, all the perfect planning in the world won’t be what gets us through the eye of the needle.

But seeing [whatever you declared] coming about in the midst of non-evidence…there’s the muscle needing a rub.

Got faith?

“Faith is permitting ourselves to be seized by the things we do not see.” –Martin Luther

June 24, 2015, TGIW: Unhumping Hump Day…High Roads

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

“I suggest taking the high road and have a little sense of humor and let things roll off your back. I think that’s very important.” –Sally Ride

Calm. Cool. Collected.

It’s been said that to take the high road is smart because there’s less traffic.

Here in Los Angeles that means a lot.

How much does staying out of the bumper-to-bumper game mean where you live and work?

Got C3?

 “Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.” –Thomas Jefferson

June 17, 2015, TGIW: Unhumping Hump Day…a Mouth-Watering Dream?

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

“Find a place inside where there’s joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.” –Joseph Campbell

Why don’t we take on getting bigger, playing broader, and risking more elegantly with a vengeance?

Because we see a lot of muscle-stretching yuk in front of us.

Pain and discomfort aren’t very seductive.

So we stay “busy” or glee-ddicted so as to numb out our stagnation. Our dreams remain as dreams vs. reality.

What if we could associate joy with the pain: of growth, of taking a chance, of stepping up or out?

It would require a Pavlovian retraining of course — like the dog who began to salivate after a bell was rung — because it won’t come naturally.

Which means even more unattractive effort.

Why choose joyful expansion? No reason…

Unless you have one so juicy that it rings your bell.

Got joypain?

“When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.” –Khalil Gibran

June 10, 2015, TGIW: Unhumping Hump Day…and Compression

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

“Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence.” –Buddha

Want to bring something new to life?

Have a dream, an initiative, a someday-turned-today to birth?

Then plan on challenges…even to the point where you think you might crack.

The old adage says “If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.”

So it goes for bold, innovative action.

The birth won’t come from being fully prepared.

The growth can’t happen inside a comfort zone.

The wings won’t work if carrying excess baggage.

A man once learned of the absolute need for challenges with growth. He thought he would help a would-be butterfly when, upon seeing the chrysalis begin to break, he aided in cracking it open even more, gently with his fingertip.

Yet, the poor insect just lay there afterwards, fumbling on the ground, forever handicapped.

Its wings were bloated…because the very process of cracking out of the shell is what would have squeezed out the excess fluid to enable its light and airy wings.

Ready to fly with something?

Nobody else can squeeze out our wings. The cracking through is up to us.

Got compression?

“If we listened to our intellect we’d never have a love affair. We’d never have a friendship. We’d never go in business because we’d be cynical. Well, that’s nonsense. You’re going to miss life. You’ve got to jump off the cliff all the time and build your wings on the way down.” –Ray Bradbury

June 3, 2015, TGIW: Unhumping Hump Day…Staying Curious

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

“I think, at a child’s birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift should be curiosity.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

Remember when it was all new?

Even if we don’t go all the way back to childhood, just consider when we were teenagers.

We became interested in new subjects and jumped excitedly into them: electric guitar, Shakespeare, a particular sport, music, politics, etc.

We found time to devote to them and were sponges, taking in everything we could learn in wonderment.

Then we went into college or “adult life” (an even more rigorous educational institution), and began to focus on a career.

Then we started “to work” (if we hadn’t already), and began to focus on a career.

Then some of us had kids, and could ONLY focus on family and a career.

And, for some of us, life became all about a small, confined box called work and career.

I will attend a reunion this Fall for a men’s organization I was a member of in college. Most of these guys went on to become lawyers. I think of one in particular who recited Shakespeare soliloquies left and right. I wonder if his lawyering crowded out his fascination with the classics.

What new or old wonderment can you awaken and engage in this summer?

Got curiosity?

“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.” –Albert Einstein

May 27, 2015, TGIW: Unhumping Hump Day…Win or Lose?

By Darrell Gurney | Blog

“When you are 16 there is no fear whatsoever. As you get older you play in more important games and that is when you start thinking about what will happen if you win or lose.” –Wayne Rooney

We’re often held back in our “playing” — whether in career, life, or love — by the fear of losing.

However, if we honestly examine any time we’ve played, did we really lose? If the answer is yes, maybe we can look deeper.

Did we become more aware of what it will take to eventually win at that game?

Did we grow in knowledge, experience, muscle-building and (necessary for that) the requisite scar tissue?

Did our playing simply for the sake of playing beat the stalemate or paralysis of waiting to figure it all out?

What if to “win” means knowing there’s absolutely no way we can ever lose (when all is taken into account)?

What if to “lose” means simply not playing?

IF, just IF that were the case, what hand, move or shot would you play, make or take today?

Got no-way-to-loseness?

 “It is not up to me whether I win or lose. Ultimately, this might not be my day. And it is that philosophy towards sports, something that I really truly live by. I am emotional. I want to win. I am hungry. I am a competitor. I have that fire. But deep down, I truly enjoy the art of competing so much more than the result.” –Apolo Ohno