Thought Tweet #863.5 A person who chases two rabbits is too busy to catch either.

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Playing with the ancient wisdom of Confucius...“He who chases two rabbits, captures neither.”

You don't have to chase two rabbits to be too busy. [There's plenty of other ways to multi-task your way to too busy.]

Many months ago I attached a Post It Note to my computer monitor. The note read, "Think in new ways!"

I wanted to remind myself to be open minded and creative. 

Some time later, while tagging a Thought Post with 'Wisdom: Surviving the Test of Time' I felt the need to cross out the word "new" and replace it with the word "old". 

I wanted to remind myself there's much value embedded in the wisdom of the ages and there's no need to reinvent the wheel.

Some time later, the Post It Note was crying out for more...like it was struggling between the "new" and the "old".

I quieted it by crossing out the word "old" and replacing it with the word "best".

Now, I am reminded regularly, throughout every work day, to 

Thought Tweet #845.5 “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

The Thinking Behind The Tweet 

I rarely tweet quotes made by famous people. However, from time to time I find a quote that resonates so thoroughly I cannot resist tweeting it. This quote passes that test for me. John Quincy Adams said this about 200 years ago. While I have not studied John Quincy Adams, I can imagine the experiences he must have lived...the son of the 2nd President of the U.S.A....knowing much about and likely meeting in person numerous great U.S. leaders like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin. And, of course, becoming a U.S. President himself. 

Why I find this quote thoroughly resonating... 

Actions: when you boil life down to find its fundamental elements you find Actions. You find positive Actions, which are well remembered by those who do them and those who are influenced by them. You find negative Actions, which are well remembered by those who do them and those who are influenced by them. And, you find Actions that died in thought before they occurred, which are also well remembered...often poignantly on one's deathbed.

Inspire Others: our company is named Spirited Leaders and the Baker family motto is Dum Spiro Spero. 

Dreams: Vision/Dreams/Imagining what could be...no question, that's a gift and a preoccupation shared by all leaders.

Learn more: Spirited Leaders place much value in life-long learning...[and I am an assessed Learner].

Do more: doing more is even-better Action...it's stepping up.

Become more: that's about growing and adding value and experiencing a fulfilled life.

If one person can inspire and help other people do these things then, clearly, that person is a leader.