I try to read as much as I can. This is something I've grown into since college. I can count on one hand how many complete books I read while in college. But now I feel like I'm addicted to books. I have about 10 on the floor next to my bed, 7 on my night stand, and 30 in my bookcase next to my bed. As I was flipping through several of them tonight, I came across something much more valuable. It was the little notes one of my daughters leaves for me. She will leave them for me on my pillow, on the stairs up to my bed, in my bag I carry to work, and any other place she feels like. As I was rereading them tonight something jumped out at me. Her message is very simple. Each and every note had the same thing, XOXOXOX written in different sizes and going different directions, written on the envelope and in the envelope, and sometimes even written on the note card within the envelope.
Here is the thing I take from this that most of the books I read don't get in the hundreds of pages between the covers. If you want to get your message across to someone, say it as simply as possible, in as many ways as possible, and as many times as possible. It's funny how we as adults can't seem to always understand this. I know for myself I'm always looking for a new and better way to do whatever it is I'm trying to do. The problem with this, though, is I do it without mastering any of the previous things learned. But as I read about great coaches, entrepreneurs, teachers, and anyone deemed successful they all seem to have this one philosophy in common: Get really good at a few things and do them over and over and over again. I once heard this described as boring consistency. I know it doesn't sound that exciting, but it wins championships, makes millions, and inspires students to the highest level of achievement.
So either my daughter is brilliant or she understands her dad just needs things repeated a few more times or maybe its a little of both. Think about this as you try to make a difference in this world. Are you confusing people with the clutter of your message or are you consistent and clear with your vision of excellence? What if today, just one more person bought into your vision and that had a ripple effect that began to change the world?
