Britt Morris Thinks...

Back It Up Tex!

It’s amazing what you can learn from a one year old.  They have a knack for making a decisions without hesitation, regardless of the consequences.  Although that fact can wreck a parent’s life, there’s a great beauty in their innocent recklessness.  Today I saw a valuable lesson painfully acted out by my toddler.  He’s been walking for a while now, always moving forward.  He’s always in pursuit of the next best thing to explore.  He constantly seeks that which will light his little heart of desire on fire. 

Today, that pursuit of happiness trapped him in a corner, literally.  He looked like a little Roomba vacuum cleaner bouncing off one chair, then the table, then the chair again.  As I’m sure you can imagine it doesn’t take much of this activity to elicit a blood curdling cry for help.  However, instead of just picking him up and setting him free, I helped him back out of there.  It was hilarious.  It was as if he’d never realized that he had another gear….reverse. 

Fast forward three hours to the front yard.  Imagine Michael Jackson circa 1983 in the Thriller video.  That’s right folks, we’re talking major Moonwalking.  If you’ve never seen a one year old moonwalk, you haven’t lived.  I use the term ‘Moonwalk’ loosely, a ‘cautionary back-peddle’ may be a more accurate description.  Suffice it to say we spent the rest of the day walking backwards and enjoying all the blessings being able to move in reverse has to offer. 

It gave me pause to think about my daily pursuit of happiness.  Sometimes I’m so focused on moving forward I get stuck and can’t see the true goals.  It’s nice to be able to take a step back sometimes and review your core values and the way they influence your goals.  I know I’m guilty of moving forward without really knowing where I’m going.  That’s an easy way to get stuck. 

So what’s my reverse gear right now?  It started by reading Todd Skinner’s book Beyond the Summit.  It’s something I’d really like to share with you.  I’d be happy to mail a copy to the first five people who post comments on the blog.  Wouldn’t you like to know what’s beyond the summit? 

Are you being mentored? Are you mentoring?

The definition of mentor is a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.  Do you have one?  Do you even need one?  Are you being one?  I believe whole heartedly that you need one and that you should aspire to be one.  You show me any person who's made their mark on this world and I'll show you their mentor.  Trusted counsel is one of the most important keys to success in this world.  I recently saw "Sugar Ray" Leonard and Chris Evert recall the ways their mentors encouraged them to be the best in the world.  Their sports were just games until they were shown how to focus their passion.  That's one of the great gifts a mentor can give you.....perspective.  A wise counsel will have vision that you may not be aware of.  Their experience and insight will help to guide you as you strive to grow.  I encourage you to seek your own personal mentor.  Look to church or business associates or any place you find wisdom and trust. 

So what about being a mentor to others?  Get involved.  You have a world of gifts to offer to the community around you.  There are students right here in DFW who can use your help.  Here's a great place to get started. 

Community In Schools

8700 N. Stemmons Fwy. Ste. 125

Dallas, Tx.  75247

Tel: 214-827-0955

email: betsya@cisdallas.org

website: www.cisdallas.org

"Data supports the conclusion that youth supported by committed, responsible adults are more likely to make better decisions, egage in fewer risky behaviors, enjoy healthier relationships, graduate from high school, and succeed in achieving their goals."  www.communityforyouth.org

Who knows, maybe your mentoree will be on a box of Wheaties???

The Early Bird Gets Whatever!

An interesting thing happened this evening toying around with the ever impressive, ever expansive, ever enigmatic Internet.  I was doing a little research for an article and Googled,  or rather meant to Google the phase "the early bird gets the worm".  In a Freudian slip I accidentally typed in "the early bird gets the work."  23 million hits later I realized how interesting this concept has always been to me. 

Most people seem to comprehend the idea that if you get to something first, you're going to be able to choose what to do with it.  But how do you get to something, especially something intangible first?  I used to think the phrase 'early bird gets the worm' meant getting up at the crack of dawn.  In some ways, I'm sure it does.  I noticed in a recent blog, examining the work styles of very effective leaders, many of them did begin their day very, very, very early.  But that's part of the point of this 'little blog that could'.  'Early Bird' is an idea, not a reference to an alarm clock.  What are we going to do when we have an idea that's first in line?  How are we going to grasp the proverbial worm before we let it slip away?  How many 'worms' are right before our eyes and we're not taking the right steps to bring them home to the nest?

  I read an article in college (I wish I could find it now) that proposed most human beings have around a dozen completely unique, untouched, un-patented, highly profitable, beneficial to human culture ideas a year.  How many do most people act on......zero.  It's amazing how we can turn something untouched, and un-patented into something unattainable. 

So here's my challenge to those of you searching for your 'Life's Work'.  Keep a folder in your Outlook or on your Blackberry or where ever you can scratch down an idea from time to time.  Make a habit out of having a home to place those singular thoughts we all tend to have during the day.  I promise by exploring your own creativity and documenting it, you'll free your mind to work in ways you never thought possible.  You may not be inventing bread, but you might invent sliced bread.......and what's better than that.