Learn from Everyone...Follow No One..Watch for Patterns...Work Like Hell

Head's up - this post is a bit different - I saw something that made me think, and thought I'd share... :)

When it comes to anything, I do my research. I’m just that way. I don’t buy one recipe book and make recipes, I go to 20+ blogs, multiple books and magazines, recipe sites and databases and more, and slowly build my own recipe book of favorites. If I find a recipe for slowcooker spaghetti, I try to find 4-5 different recipes and compare them, to see what would be the best mix for my palette. Before we got our puppy Reuben I needed to learn more. I watched training videos on Comcast on demand, borrowed a book from my sis, visited training websites, talked to pupper-having friends and made my own booklet and schedule that works for us, based on all of these sources. I’m not saying I was right or wrong to do things this way, or that I did anything groundbreaking or genius, it’s just how I do things. It’s how I planned my wedding (multiple books, chats with friends, websites, etc.), it’s how I began pre-cooking, and it’s how I’m slowly becoming a runner.

Where is all of this coming from? I watched this TED talk. I LOVE TED talks. This one struck me because of one of its core messages:

1. Learn from Everyone
2. Follow No One
3. Watch for Patterns
4. Work like Hell

While he was talking about comics in an incredibly interesting, visual way, these messages just leapt out and resonated with me so much.

• I feel like a lot of people start at #2. And it is probably my #1 pet peeve. Why not ask someone who’s been there before you? When I wanted a puppy, I called my sister, my friend Teresa, I talked to my mom. I researched online. When I needed to buy a new camera for work, I reached out to my bro-in-law, a photographer. Why not learn from other people? Drives me crazy.
• And those people who do #1- #3. They’re ready, they’ve planned it out; all that’s left is execution. Nope, they’ve tired out, and #4 goes by the wayside making #1 - #3 all for naught. (well not ALL for naught... but you know what I mean!)
• I also find it annoying when people do #1 and then #4. Like whoa – slow your roll, find something that works for YOU. Do the research. Find out what you believe. Avoid the magic bullet: take information and act. Get your own information and form your own opinions.

Where is all of this going? Well, as you can see and as I’ve always known, I’m a very process-oriented person. Do this, then that and voila you get this. I like this system because note that there is no #5. There is no ‘5. Realize Success.’ No one knows if “working like hell” will actually yield the results you’re looking for. But to me, when you do it “right” (i.e. follow the steps above) it increases the likelihood for success because you’re in it. You’re invested. And so you want to succeed so much more.

This is why I like blogging and this community. No two blogs are alike. No one is following the EXACT same exercise program, nutrition plan, etc. But we’re all learning from each other, doing our own thing, patterns are highly visible (themes include: health, cardio, strength training, etc.) and we’re all working our butts off and motivating each other to keep going. Do we reach success? Sometimes. But ultimately, I feel like we’re all enjoying the ride, evidenced by the fact that we blog our progress and congratulate each other’s small victories.

Q: What do you think of the four steps above?

Q: Are you a process-oriented person?

(stepping off soapbox)

Sorry friends! Felt passionate about that and had to share! On a lighter note, here's my day yesterday: work, 4-mile walk at 4 mph during lunch, work more and straight home for chill time with the family, a bit of cooking, a bit of TV and a bit of tidying up. Lovely Tuesday fo sho! Something that made me laugh: The Blonde Duck's blog post - I love when she addresses her readers as "invisible friends." hehe Something that made me smile: Your sweet comments about new pupper - I think she's a doll! Thanks again! On another note:

TRUE STORY! Sigh. Groan. Grrrrr.