Thomas Ruediger Thomas Ruediger

Surround Yourself

Surround yourself with people who believe in you. 

There are many of them out there. 

Spend your time with them! 

Start with the mirror.  That’s what the person you will become looks like. 

What do you choose to see?

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Thomas Ruediger Thomas Ruediger

Does Logic Work?

If (insert major premise), and (Insert minor premise), then… (insert conclusion). 

Are you now convinced? 

Am I? 

How come?

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Thomas Ruediger Thomas Ruediger

Did you see your shadow?

Giving a groundhog the predictive ability for the end of winter is a cool Pennsylvania Dutch tradition (superstition?), maybe 200 years old or so. 

Not sure how Phil feels about being plucked out of his warm bed to prove it to us.

If I didn’t see my shadow today, it could be that the sky was overcast.

It also could be that I wasn’t appreciating the day.

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Thomas Ruediger Thomas Ruediger

Who am I for?

I’m not for everyone. 

Can I describe for whom I am?

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Thomas Ruediger Thomas Ruediger

Extra

Ever pay more for dinner out when it would have been better at home?

A cute (and expensive) pair of shoes that hurt your feet?

A bigger house?  In 1950 the average size was 1000 sq ft and had 3-4 people. In 2020 the average was 2500 sq ft and had 2-3 living in it.

Why do I pay extra?

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Thomas Ruediger Thomas Ruediger

Caring enough

Do you care enough to make a difference?

Feel like you’re alone?  Highly unlikely, isn’t it?  And you can make a difference on your own.  Not as much as if you were on a team that cared about the same thing, but more than if you wait until tomorrow. This story is all over the place, here’s one place.

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Thomas Ruediger Thomas Ruediger

In the last place

Ever lose your keys or phone?  Ever notice that you found it in the last place you looked? 

The last place can be satisfying.  Goal achieved.

Often it is in the first place I looked.  Way more efficient!  Why is that not more satisfying?

Celebrate the small wins!

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Thomas Ruediger Thomas Ruediger

Lines

Is it:

  • In the sand?

  • A goal line?

  • A boundary?

Also:

  • Who put it there?

  • Am I bound to it?

  • Can I move it?

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Thomas Ruediger Thomas Ruediger

Bird in the hand

Is the alternative two in the bush?  Maybe it’s three.  Maybe they aren’t even birds.

 

Why is the status quo more appealing than the pursuit of other or the pursuit of better?  Might be the possibility of failure.  How much time am I spending avoiding that possibility?

How much effort (and time) am I spending attending to the bird I have?  What does working with one hand occupied with the bird have on my ability to make a difference?

Might be worth considering how tight my grip on the bird is.  Might be worth considering the value of perceived certainty.

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Thomas Ruediger Thomas Ruediger

Self discipline

Is it a characteristic, a choice?

Both?

Neither?

Happy Wednesday.

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Thomas Ruediger Thomas Ruediger

Great Monday

Am I humble enough to consider that I am wrong and confident enough to pursue better?

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Thomas Ruediger Thomas Ruediger

Enough

Enough is as good as a feast?

Or is more better?

(H/T to Mary Poppins.)

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Thomas Ruediger Thomas Ruediger

What’s in it?

What do I lose by counting to 5 before acting or responding?  What do I gain?   Happy Thursday.

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Thomas Ruediger Thomas Ruediger

Response

Positive enthusiasm or blunt realism?  Which is better for my next interaction?

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Thomas Ruediger Thomas Ruediger

Feeding

"If I feed one thing today, do I feed an opportunity or a problem?"

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Thomas Ruediger Thomas Ruediger

Vulnerability and Value

Good morning!

Do I trust others enough to be vulnerable and speak my opinion as if I am right?

Do I value others enough to listen to their point of view as if I am wrong?

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Thomas Ruediger Thomas Ruediger

Changing the world

For better or worse, a little or a lot, on purpose or by chance, you are changing the world.

Think about a thing big enough to make a positive difference today but so small that it is impossible to not achieve.

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Thomas Ruediger Thomas Ruediger

What is my focus?

We're in a recession, in a period of higher inflation and interest rates.  Why is that a worry?  

It's cold outside.  Is that a problem?  

Growth has always followed recession.  Spring has always followed winter.  

Am I enjoying my season?

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