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There is a Christmas carol that is less about presents and feasting and is more about the true Christmas spirit of goodwill and comfort to our fellow man.
The final lyrics have always stuck with me, two men walking through the darkness and snow and bitter weather, on an act of true Christian charity:
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing
Despite the hardships of their journey they refuse to quit, sticking with their course of comfort…
To Stick or to Quit?
I have also recently begun a journey out into a foreign landscape.
Taking a break from a lucrative corporate career as a management consultant and trainer, I gave myself “until Christmas” to immerse myself into the strange, new world of the blogosphere.
Christmas is just around the corner and decisions have to be made.
A lifestyle I have grown to love wars with all of the assets I am supposed to be accumulating.
There is an important contract waiting for my attention.
If I accept it and all it entails, I know that my grasp on this new world will slip through my fingers like melting snow… There will be no time – and scant energy – for posts and carnivals, stumbling and digging, comments and competitions…
Should I stick or should I quit?
The phone rings and like a truly dedicated procrastinator, I turn up the stereo and sing along to corny Christmas carols…
Good, Better, Best
As part of my journey through the blogosphere, I recently found a copy of Seth Godin’s “The Dip” for sale in a major, discount department store.
Marvelling at the evidence of the infiltration of the blogosphere into everyday life, I quickly purchased a copy. It wasn’t until I got home that I read the tagline on the bottom of the cover: “The Extraordinary Benefits of Knowing When to Quit (And When to Stick).”
He talks of a Dip “that will get better if you keep pushing” and of Cul-de-Sacs “which will never get better no matter how hard you try”.
It is a book that encourages us to quit the wrong road and to stick with the right road. Not just to feel a sense of achievement, but to achieve at a truly extraordinary level.
In fact, to be the best in the world…
I cannot deny that to be number one is an attractive thing. To be “at the top” must ensure a wonderful view.
But as well as being the best, my interest, I have discovered, is now focussing more upon being good.
To be a positive and generous participant in this new landscape suddenly seems far more important than getting to the top of any pile!
A (Competitive) Christmas Spirit
And so as the Christmas month unravels, I put the corporate contract aside and focus not so much on winning as on living, not so much on being the best but being good.
And what better way to enjoy the blogosphere than in sharing the Christmas joy with others?
In true “blogger spirit” a wonderful group of people have given their time and efforts to take part in the Great Online Christmas Scavenger Hunt.
You will discover them – and their amazing sites – as you journey around the blogosphere.
Only one can win the prize, but may it bring smiles to the faces and a warm festive glow of all who take part!
And for the winner among you, may you turn up your corny Christmas carols on your iPod the next time you have a hard decision to make about sticking or quitting.
Tags: Christmas, giving, lifestyle, prize, winners
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Beautiful post Simone. I truly believe that in the end, focusing on being good, will lead to giving your best and with that, being the best.
Because, in the end, finding the best way to putting your own personal qualities at work for a positive good is what life is all about isn’t it?
I really love your sentence ‘to focus not so much on winning as on living, not so much on being the best but being good’, indeed an inspiring start of the December month!
Thanks for sharing!
Ellen
Wonderful post, I remembered one statement from Brian Kim, “Don’t think hierarchy, think journey”. It’s no longer about being at the top, but enjoying the journey, be happy and do what we can everyday!
Thanks for the sharing! I’ll stumble it!
Regards,
Robert
Hi Ellen and Robert,
Thanks for joining in the Christmas spirit with your positive comments :)
Hope you take up the hunt!
Have a great December,
S.
Dear Simone -
Selfishly, I would like you to stay with us in blogging. We would miss you and your unique articles! You can’t do both?
But, I can understand it is a big decision.
Sending you an article I wrote. Perhaps there is a nugget here for you to ponder. Either way, wishing you the very best thing to happen!
http://www.personal-growth-with-corinne-edwards.com/decision-when-you-dont-know-what-to-do/
Warmly and with good cheer -
Corinne
Hi Corinne,
Thanks for thinking you would miss me :)
Doing both is an option to a certain extent, but I have a fairly full-on focus to work and find that the mindset I adopt for consulting work doesn’t really translate well to blogging!
Thanks for the article – I also have a couple of decisionphobia friends I will forward it to!
S.
I hope you will stay with us. I would dearly miss you thought provoking posts and your friendship.
But, go if you must. And we will happily support you in your new quest.
blessings,
julis
julia ward – a BLINDING heart – a writer’s blog – http://www.ablindingheart.com
Good call Simone – a lot more fun out here in the real world!
Oh my God, you’re living my life Simone!
Last July I left a well paid corporate position in the telecoms industry to try for a ‘different way’. I wanted to get off the corporate ladder and spend my time doing something I enjoyed. I gave myself to the end of this year to work out whether I was able to put food on the table this way or whether i’d have to get back into the suit and the heels and strut my stuff in the coprorate world again.
Earlier this week a colleague from my former employer approached me to tell me there was a six month contract position coming up that they’d like me to take up. And now I’m going through the soul searching that you’ve just described.
Are you sure you’re not me living in a parallel universe?
Hi Julia,
Thanks for your encouragement! I definitely know which way my heart is leaning and your friendship helps knock the old scales off balance :)
S.
Hi Glenn,
Too true! Looking forward to lots more mutual fun in this “real” world.
S.
Hi Karen,
Great to hear of a soul mate experience!
So what are you thinking? Which way are you leaning? I’ve been fluctuating like a “two-bob watch” (not that I have any idea what one looks like) and I think I have plateaued to a decision…
Hard having so many choices, isn’t it? :)
Good luck with your decision!
S.
Simone,
Nice post. I jumped ship a month ago – quit a high-paying job, dipping into savings. I’ve never looked back. Living a life I love, blogging and doing other projects, is something I’d never give up. I worry less about money now than when I had a great income because I’m happy with my life now! Much of my energy is going into my blog, which is about my love of Math, and I wake up every day with happiness. That’s worth more than money to me.
Hi Sol,
You speak my language – despite being a maths wizz! :)
Here’s to great success and happiness!
S.
WOW… what a choice Simone. Have faith that whatever choice you make will be what you need at that time and if down the track it is no longer what you need or want, then a different choice can be made. Go inside and go with your intuition… you know deep within, when the mind chatter stops what you want and/or need. Look forward to hearing more about your adventures. Merry Christmas!