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Saturday, December 26, 2015

FACE

Look into your crystal ball. Where do you see yourself in ten years? What does the portrait above your mantle show? How can you make that happen? What can prevent it? 

Art imitates life.

"Veteran in a New Field" - Winslow Homer, 1865

Purpose matters. Leaving war behind (coat and canteen, bottom right), the veteran moves forward with an abundant harvest. The scythe, the Grim Reaper's death instrument, becomes the hero's tool for prosperity. What must we leave behind and carry ahead?


Legend has it that a young Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) saved money to buy a blue bicycle in Louisville. Within a week, someone had stolen it. When he stepped into the ring, he vowed to 'whup' the person he felt had stolen his bike. He brought purpose into the ring.

What path do we choose? A victory is meaningless without a worthy opponent. To achieve at a high level, the true competitor competes against her internal standard. The acronym FACE describes our alchemy of fear and anxiety into challenge and excellence. At your best, compete to make each possession productive. 

Without FEAR, there is no courage. Without ANXIETY, we cannot know peace. Without a CHALLENGE, we cannot overcome. Without knowing EXCELLENCE, what standard do we pursue? 

Graphic from "Building a Purpose-Driven Business"

We can transform our world one day at a time. Purposefully.