January 3, 2021
Question: What are some of your most important rules for living?
Answer: This is an easy one, since I have a set of “rules for living” that I keep posted to review every day. Some are statements that I created for myself, some are quotes that have inspired me to live with more intention. Here are a few:
- “Striving to be 1% better every day.”
- “Achieving more than one ever thought possible.”
- “Dream Big. Live With Purpose. Inspire Others.”
- “Be you. For you. And be cool with it.”
- “Do more. Be more. Give more. Love more.”
- “Do what you say you will do.”
- “Do or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda
- “Done is better than perfect.” – Sheryl Sandberg
- “Be who you needed to be when you were younger.” – Brad Montague
- “Give your best, to the most, for the least.” Charles Eames, as shared by Brian Johnson
- “Be who you are and say what you feel because people who mind don’t matter and people who matter don’t mind.” – Bernard Baruch
- “Our job in this lifetime is not to fit into some mold that others have determined is best for us. Our job is to find out who we already are – and become it.” – Steven Pressfield
- “The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” – David Viscott
- “In any given moment each day, you have two options: you can choose to step forward into growth (+1) or backward into safety (-1).” – Abraham Maslow
There are more, but these are the important “Rules” that define how I live my life every day.
Part of the reason why I was inspired to do this “The Year of You” journal was a video by Brad Montague, “A Pep Talk about a Pep Talk” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnzsXWAxRPI. I’ve been in higher education for over 30 years; in fact, I have been on a college campus every year since August 1981! And yet, I wondered what else was there left for me to do. I know that I want to make an impact, but how?
In the video, he asks two questions:
- What is your “Space Jam?”
- What will you create to make the world more awesome?
And after some deep contemplation, it’s coming together, which I will share in another post.
If you have about 6 minutes, check out the video, then share your thoughts about the video and/or how you would answer the questions?
The Dream Dean 
“Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped.” – African Proverb
“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” – RBG
Be kind.
Understand that your version of the truth may not be the truth for others – approach everyone/thing with an open mind.
You’re never too old to learn something new.
Take time to enjoy the small things – for in the end, they are the only things that matter.
Use your voice and privilege to address injustices and inequalities.
Time is not infinite – call your relatives, write letters, make someone’s day better.
Lead with not only your words but your actions too for they are more important.
Thoughts on the video:
Loved it! (and shared it on Facebook.) The pandemic and losing my job in May has given me the opportunity (and ample time) to look at my life. My health had taken a back seat while I was fulfilling all my other roles and I’m taking time now to start finding healthy ways to address my stress, relationship with food, and other medical things I’ve put off. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I thought I knew what my Space Jam was – but I’m reevaluating that and we’ll see where I go and what I’ll create.
Wow – to that video.