Cross the line™
Posted in Advice, Love Your People | 15 Comments
cross: (verb) 1. to move from one side to another 2. to pass over mediocrity
With everything, there’s a line.
On one side of the line is a greater chance to give more, enjoy more, realize more. On the other side, there’s less of a chance.
And with each line, there’s a choice. You want to cross the line or you don’t. You want the better chance at meaningful – opportunity – impact – or you settle with the lesser chance.
Your choice.
It seems simple but…
Then there’ll be those times – those times when in the short run it’ll seem like you can’t cross the line (no matter what you do). But then, those misses (those hurdles) in the short run will sometimes help you over the line in the long run (in a way you couldn’t have seen). They’ll serve as lessons, giving you more depth to your experience – making you stronger.
But you won’t know that at the time.
At the time, you’ll just see that line.
And it might seem like a wall.
But it really is just a line (a line you want to cross).
And it’s yours to cross but you have to decide (make that choice).
It seems simple but…
Then there’ll be those people – those people who’ve decided they’d rather not cross the line and would prefer you didn’t either – sprinkling in a little doubt, withholding a little encouragement, stepping in the way.
Then there’ll be that inner voice – that inner voice that’ll try to tell you you’re not that special and things like that are for other people. (What are you thinking?)
Then there’ll be the work – the work that’ll be the real challenge that some people never face because of those times, those people, or that inner voice that keep us from putting in the effort and bouncing back when things get tough.
But there’s the line.
And it needs to be crossed.
And you can cross it.
It’s up to you.
(Which side will you choose?)
Watch & listen to the author’s Cross the Line™ presentation (4.5 minutes).
__________
How to Cross the Line…
- Choose to commit. Make the choice to improve your chances to go beyond mediocrity. Approach the things you do with the intent to deliver / succeed / serve.
- Work hard. Good things are rarely easy (cheap). Real effort and attention are the fundamentals behind everything. (There are no quick fixes.) Earn your results.
- Focus. Eliminate distractions. Minimize exposure to negative people, thoughts, and things that don’t serve your intent.
- Bounce back. Learn from your mistakes and challenges and remember your choice to cross the line.
Not easy, but simple. (And it needs to be done.)
Personal notes on Cross the Line
__________
Copyright © 2010 by Give More Media Inc. This was written by Sam Parker. If you’d like to tell people about it somewhere (e.g., blog, newsletter, Facebook, social media), please reference Sam Parker of GiveMore.com as the author and link directly to the article. Excerpts are great but please don’t publish the article in its entirety without advanced written permission (email Sam using the address at the bottom of this page).
LOVE THIS POST?
Join more than 15,000 subscribers (for free) and get this stuff by email. (You'll love it.)
Love it!
The ‘Line’ hit home with me today. I know some of “those people”. They do not want to “give more” everyday. They don’t want to do the work. They just want to glide by unchallenged. And that includes unchallenged by those who want to make it happen. Do not let “those people” hold you back! Do not let them discourage you or bring you down to their level. If they applied themselves to the job as much as they do to trying to knock others down…they could be stars. Be an example to them of what can be done when you give it your all.
That line really represents our comfort zone. The more we push beyond our comfort zone, the more we grow and learn. The more we retreat from that line, the more our growth, influence, and learning experiences wane and wither to the point that we suffocate by self imposed constrictions.
The commentary on the “inner voice” is great. It can’t be turned off, but being aware of the internal dialogue between the ears is so important. The ego is jabbering away so often that we don’t always realize when it is imparting fear and doubt that drowns our courage to challenge that line.
Most importantly, I love the part about the learning that can take place when we don’t challenge the line but prepare us for the long run challenges that we won’t see until after the fact. It reminds me of a quote from Steve Jobs’ regarding the lessons learned from pursuing his passions, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.”
Sam, Thank you for the hand up. Some people do this naturally; its in their nature. Others work at it in varying degrees. Others would do it. Some won’t do it. We all need the encouragement. Keep it UP.
Mr. Sam parker, i just like the way you present your thoughts. they are really nice and i think helpful. i am sorry but not yet tried any of these as always forgot after reading in my business schedule. and will surely talk to you once.. tk cre. keep writing. Prashant Rathi
Awesome!! Cross the Line – I’m taking the steps to open my own office. It’s crossing the line – but I know I’ll never develop and reach the potential I believe we’re capable of if I don’t do it and take my team with me!!
This stuff is awesome ! I share this with my fellow supervisor and team members. If only a few get it and pass it on we are all the winner. Tasked with raising morale in my department of 300 these thoughts/words are inspirational at the least. Thanks
Thank you for an excellent post. I will be sending this to the line crossers I know; it’s a good re-inforcement of this behavior.
I always cross the line. Is there any other choice?
http://bit.ly/917MJN
Here is the speech that Steve Jobs gave to the 2005 Stanford Univeristy graduating class. Lots of wisdom from a man who has crossed many lines.
I received this post from a colleague recently. Your thoughts sounded vaguely familiar. The more I read, the more I realized that these thoughts are in sync with the ones that have guided me throughout my adult years. Yet, within the past few years I had discarded them. These are MY thoughts-the ones that helped me get this far! I’m dusting them off, bringing them back and, most importantly, adding yours! Thank you so much! I am very grateful to have had this experience!
Sam, Can I say that you simply hit the nail on the head everytime!
Well done…I look forward to speaking with you in the coming weeks.
Thanks for the kind words, everyone.
Sam,
your message was timely today. We all think we’re making that decision to “cross the line” – when in reality we’re not. Today’s challenges and business results depend on those of us that are leaders in our work, communities and families. If you don’t care enough to commit to “cross the line”, don’t bother showing up.
Thanks Sam, for the reminder to cross the line, commit, contribute, nurture and engage.
Thank you Sam,
Everybody gets to the line and wonders ’should I cross’ those who do decide have no regrets and those who don’t are faced always with ’should I have crossed’.
It is never easy, nor is living our life’s journey in any way.
I am always pleased I made my decision to take the directions I take.
Genius. Replacing the thought of a ‘wall’ with a ‘line’ makes all the difference. It’s all in the perspective one has and the perception will be the reality. Thank you.