#Life Lessons

by Winston Ash on #Life Lessons

Rainy Days

These days are my favorite. Everything about them: smell, feel and sights. The world cleanses itself. And I find calm, joy.

Stuck inside with nothing to do but work. I accomplish a lot and focus on getting tasks done that I have put off. The forced work is a relief. No one else is out and I get the chance to pull ahead. The flood of requests recede to a trickle. And in this space, I grow.

With time on my side; I read, study, and write. All the little things that most times I hurry through. Today though I relax into them.

Funny thing about rainy days. Clarity hits you in the face. The thought that if you couldn’t do anything else; you are doing exactly what you want to. And that – right there – is a blessing.

I love to think. I love to read. I love to analyze. These give comfort to my soul. Pattern recognition is a fun game that has huge leverage potential.

What Have I Found?

[Tweet “Learn from the greats.”]

One sentence that feels like a boulder lifted off my chest. Thinking about having to do everything over for the first time is daunting. I always feel overwhelmed. Stepping on the shoulders of giants and moving the ball an inch; that is something I can do with ease. The structure is there, follow the path and innovate at the end. It works because it has been done already.

 
by Winston Ash on #Life Lessons

The Way Forward 

Ask good questions. 

That is the right way. 

You are part scientist, part investigator.

Open mind. Eternally curious. 

And ready for the wonders of the world. 

Go forth boldly. 

Let no one stand in your way.

Bend your knee to no man.

Let truth be your guide. 

Reason your weapon. 

The beginning, Why?

 
by Winston Ash on #Life Lessons

Do Your Best

Deeper. Faster. Better. Smarter. Stronger. Healthier.
 
The common thread: Progress.
 
Yesterday’s results set today’s benchmark.
 
Striving for more. Always.
 
“Do your best.”
 
What is the alternative?
 
Follow that line. It goes nowhere good.
 
Which path?
 
Think.
 
by Winston Ash on #Life Lessons

Speaking with Words

My voice comes out in my writing. 

Writing is my favorite medium.

Words Matter. 

I relax when I can put a framework to my ideas. 

I enjoy the concepts behind big words. 

But I love reading the concepts put in simple terms. Is that a contradiction? 

Possibly, but that’s what fulfills me.

The constant struggle. Complex ideas, written simply. Simple and rare. Simple is hard. 

No one said it had to be easy. 

Some people like video, song, or dance. 

But I like writing. You get to judge me by my thoughts. Agree or disagree, either way I’m already in your head. And that’s what makes it fun. It’s my responsibility to do my job well. So you can enjoy the reading, no matter how complex. 

I write for the future. 

To document the place I was and to illuminate the way forward. 

 
by Winston Ash on #Life Lessons

IF

What comes to your mind?

For me, the dual identity of the word.

What you put in ends up being a self-reinforcing feedback loop.

Example. If I do this, then I will get that. 

Following that logic one step down.

If that thing is good, then all outcomes are positively reinforcing. 

The exact opposite is also true.

 
by Winston Ash on #Life Lessons, Founder Journal

No

I will say no. Every single day.
It’s a promise. 

Saying those two letters allows me to say yes to my life. 

No, thanks. 

To fast food, reruns, and sitting on the couch spaced out watching TV. And to the many other things that take away from the good works I have been called to do.

And that’s what it feels like to me. A calling. That higher purpose to provide value. Speak my mind. And help others through my example of success. 

Hard days are normal.

Yet everyday is a good day. I woke up on this side of the grass. And even under a foot of snow; the grass is greener. 

So, you want my answer?

No, to what you are offering. And yes, to what I want.