Put Your Own Dent In the Universe

Steve Jobs.

 

Really - nothing else needs to be said, but stick with me for a few minutes.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

  

"We're here to put a dent in the universe"

 

Steve Jobs

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are lots of reasons why the iconic Steve Jobs succeeded where many others may not have done as well. I believe it was his destiny - and his unreasonable vision. His image alone is enough to stir up thoughts of the incredible passion, drive, courage, and hard work that it took for him to deliver his dent in the universe. Countless stories tell us what it was like working with and around him. It couldn't have been easy.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world. The unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."

 

George Bernard Shaw

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

While on the tech side in Telecom, I witnessed first hand the impact of the iPhone transformation on equipment, infrastructure systems, customers, customer relationships, sales, and strategies. It was a phenomenal explosion with everyone trying to figure out how to handle the massive amounts of data coming through pipes that were simply too small or not stable enough. The data demands of the future had arrived and networks weren't ready.

Just a few years earlier we'd been wondering what would fill the data pipes that were already built. We talked a lot about "the next big app" and what it might be. There was no need to wonder - we had been unknowingly preparing for the iPhone and the Information Age. Of course there have been many other significant technology shifts (too many to mention!) which also put massive dents in the universe - and continue to do so.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Source: Cisco Networking Visual Index (VNI) and US Telecom Analysis

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Put Your Own Dent In the Universe

It's easy to say follow Steve's example and you'll deliver something equally spectacular. You don't need to be a genius to know that it takes more - much more - than a simple script. In addition to Steve's example of unreasonable vision, purpose, passion, determination, courage, and action - it takes heart - a willingness to go the distance without reservation.

How many times have you seen someone succeed when there was no possible way that they should have? That's what heart does - it bridges deficits. You can be passionate, visionary, determined, courageous, and you can take proper action, but without heart you may or may not get there. It's that something extra that makes all the difference.

 

What kind of heart do you have? Is it big enough to conquer your vision? Is it big enough to put your dent in the universe?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Hit me up with comments and feedback - whatever your heart desires.

Doing What Matters

With Mother's Day approaching, I'm filled with gratitude and deeper insight into what really matters most to me.

Quite frequently I ask myself "am I doing what really matters?" I've internalized the truth that time is short likely because I have so much that I want to do before my time is up. I don't have a familiar 'bucket list' of items to check off. I simply want to ensure that my daily life is meaningful with each step and breath that I take. I want every ounce of talent that I have to be used well and used up. Perhaps the death of my mother and other loved ones created my thirst for life's cherry Kool-Aid - sometimes with too much sugar and sometimes not. It still tastes good just the same.

A jolt of reality brought me face-to-face with how fast time flies when I realized that my daughter was turning double digits. It seems like yesterday that I held her for the first time yet she is tangible proof that 10 years have passed. This realization brought into sharp focus the question of doing what matters.

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many tomorrows.”

                                                                Michael Landon Jr.

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So what does it mean to do what matters?

For me doing what matters means challenging my status quo and pushing myself beyond any boundaries that I've previously set or breaking down barriers that may have been built around me. I wasn't meant to play it safe because somehow safe feels wrong. I find a sense of security in taking risks and in pioneering new pathways. My passion is ignited by the 'unknown' and my purpose is to discover useful ways to convert the 'unknown' into viable solutions that improve lives. How do I know? Because it's all that I've ever been or done - and all that I ever want to do.

It's easy to get sidetracked...
 

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

“...many times we are pushed into functioning in an area that is not our highest and best use because somebody needed us to be something that we were not created to be...”

                                                               Bishop T.D. Jakes

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Right now what matters most to me is focusing on being the best mom that I can be for my daughter - hovering, hugging, cajoling, pushing, soothing, commenting, role-modeling, scheduling, and investigating next steps for her education and for her career. Yes - she's only 10 years old, but if history is any indication of speed then she'll be 20 years old before I can blink (and I'll be 10 years older!...) so there's not a moment to waste!


What really matters to you?

Is it family, health, career, wealth, education, community, business, contribution, problem-solving, relationships, friends, supporting others, or all of the above and more?


Are you doing what really matters right now? If not, when do you plan to start?