10 New Ways to Be Practical
If you started over, what would you do differently?
One leader from Procter & Gamble said, “I’d . . . be less practical in my career choice, and more passionate; I’d pursue bigger ideas, and smaller paychecks; and I’d surround myself with people that share my interests, instead of my income bracket.”
Chasing big homes, big cars, and big money isn’t practical.
It’s time to redefine what works.
10 new ways to be practical:
- Choose joy by speaking truth with kindness.
- Connect with people who standout rather than fit in.
- Dance with honesty and stop pretending things are OK when they’re not.
- Gain clarity about yourself through structured self-reflection.
- Appreciate beauty by noticing virtue in others.
- Choose less conformity by poking the box. Admit it. Conformity is boring.
- Never fix the past. Always build the future today.
- Develop your best self and focus less on getting ahead.
- Lean toward giving.
- Taste your food.
Pedaling faster isn’t practical when you’re heading in the wrong direction. You’re doing things that seem to work, but don’t. We all do.
When is less practical more practical?
You won’t redefine what works in one giant leap. Pursue one item from the above list. Better yet, make your own list.
What are some ways you could redefine what works?
What would you do differently if you started over?
This is really good! I love the idea of pursuing bigger ideas, instead of bigger paychecks. I just recently did exactly that, leaving a well paying job to take a management position in a failing company. Many would say that wasn’t a very wise career move but life isn’t about being comfortable, it’s about giving value. At my previous job it was all about me. Here, I can change the future of not only this company but even more importantly, the future of the employees.
Thanks Mike. Do things that feel meaningful. It might surprise some people, but meaningful things bring value to others. Love this phrase, “life isn’t about being comfortable, it’s about giving value.”
I wish you well on this part of your journey.
Years ago, I went to a retirement dinner for a coworker of my husband. The room was full, and person after person stood up to say how much the retiree had helped them and how much they would miss him. I decided then and there that was what I wanted for my retirement dinner: a room full of people who I had positively impacted. You don’t get that by being practical; you get that by being passionate.
So True, Jennifer! That is the best of all we can achieve, is to have made a difference in people’s lives!!.
Thanks for a wonderful story, Jennifer. We would do well to imagine our retirement dinner. Who will be there and what will they say? Think about what you want to hear and start living in ways that cause people to say that today.
How timely! I am retiring this year to do the work about which I am passionate. I thought my job would afford me that opportunity, but things have changed. I am looking forward to continuing to enjoy your inspiration in my new ventures, Dan!
Congratulations Amy. It feels like the future looks bright when I read your comment. I wish you well.
Good list, Dan.
I might add something along the lines of “be disruptive,” where I mean that you look for different ways to do old things, that “continuous continuous improvement” paradigm where one keeps on keeping on. My belief is that being open to doing things a new way can be energizing to oneself – it is a reinvention framework.
Have FUN out There!
Thanks Scott. Glad you stopped in. Disruption scares the pants off some leaders. Maybe we need to scare a few more people.
Finding a new way to do an old thing is energizing.
I think there’s an elephant in this room. People at the top can talk about ” not chasing big homes, big cars, and big money”. Most of the people who implement their ideas are chasing a home big enough to live in, a car that can get them to work reliably and enough money to get by on. Abandoning money for interests and practicality for passions are luxuries they can’t afford.
Thanks Mitch. The question of why your observation is often true comes to mind. I think it’s about values. Choosing relationships over salary is one example. Sometimes parents choose a job where they can be home more an make less money to get it, for example.
I am reminded of the possibility that we can choose This & That…
This as in passion and That as In Wealth… It doesn’t have to be either/Or always.
If you see remaining wealthy as a responsibility while pursuing your practicality?