Thought Tweet #482 Good things come in little packages: that's the key to excellent work-process success.

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Dr. Richard Carlson taught - "Don't sweat the small stuff".

That's good advice as long as it confined within the following context: (1) do small stuff and do it well & (2) don't feel distressed while you are doing it. There's nothing wrong with sweating while working out the body....although perspiration is a more-delicate word for that body exhaust. When the body works hard it sweats. When the mind works hard it also vents exhaust. This is particularly so when the mind is undisciplined. When we break work into small pieces we reduce the amount of that exhaust. And, of more importance, we increase the opportunities to receive [mental, self-generated] rewards for jobs well done.

Do human beings possess power of will?

Are we destined to a fate? or

Are we masters of our own destiny?

Destined Fate:

Very intelligent people have said things like:

• “All things are subject to decay and when fate summons, monarchs must obey.” [John Dryden], 
• “But blind to former as to future fate, what mortal knows his pre-existent state?” [Alexander Pope], and 
• “Fate determines many things, no matter how we struggle.” [Otto Weininger]. 

Some people accept ‘their fate’ without really thinking much about it. Others think deeply on the matter and say it as their well-thought-out conclusions. Many people believe, at least to some degree, believe they have little influence over their future.

Self-Determination:

Very intelligent people have said things like:

• “Our life is what our thoughts make it.” [Marcus Aurelius], 
• “Whatever you create in your life you must first create in your imagination.” [Tycho Photiou], and 
• “Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice.” [William Jennings Bryan].  

Some people believe what you can conceive and believe you can achieve¹. Under the 'Law of Attraction', achievement in life is yours to be had...it is a matter of your power of will. This sort of thinking is a key facet of major religions. It is also the backbone of most leaders’ philosophies and approach to life.

What applies to life must apply to business, a subset of life.

And, in business we spend a lot of time trying to be the cause of future effects. We plan, set goals, set priorities, take predetermined actions, measure results, etc.

So...which is it...A or B?

A: Our destinies are pre-determined by Fate?

B: We possess power of will and we can use it to determine our destinies?

or is it...

C: Both A and B are correct [in which case wouldn't it be nice to understand which one applies when, where, how, etc]

Footnote:

1. Napoleon Hill, 'Think and Grow Rich', (1937)

Thought Tweet #478 We simply must spend more time imagining Possibilities.

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Robert Collier wrote, "Think of things - not as they are but as they MIGHT be." ...'The SECRET Of The Ages', (1926)

If we follow Robert Collier's advice then we will get beyond our personal biases, especially our tendency to judge others harshly. And, we will create.

Robert Collier, 'The SECRET Of The Ages', (1926)