Top 10 Thoughts

July 21st, 2008 Posted in Life, Newsletter, The Energy Bus

I’ve been in Maine with my wife and kids and the experience has inspired a number of ideas and thoughts about business, life and family travel. In last week’s newsletter I included my top 5 thoughts from the trip. Well, after more traveling, bike rides, fishing attempts, sunsets and a few family fights I have 5 more to share with you.


Click here to read 1-5 thoughts in last week’s newsletter.

Here are my next five.

6. There Will Be Ups and Downs - We biked a 6 mile path around Eagle Lake in Acadia National park. The first part of the ride was all uphill which wasn’t easy for my kids, ages 8 and 10. Jade cried because her legs hurt. Cole had to stop several times because he was tired. My wife and I invoked The No Complaining Rule with them but honestly it didn’t work. They kept complaining and crying but to their credit they didn’t give up. We finally reached the top and took a short break before enjoying a nice 5 minute coast downhill. Laughter, smiles and joy filled cheers once again filled the air. However, when we reached the bottom we still had to navigate a series of small hills and challenging climbs before reaching the finish line. The kids were frustrated, exhausted and yet I could tell they felt good about their accomplishment. The ride, I told them, is a lot like life. It’s not going to be easy. To get to the top you have to work hard. There will be many painful moments and ups and downs. But if you are facing an uphill climb you can expect a downhill coast to be in your future. And if you are enjoying a downhill coast also expect more challenging uphill climbs. Life, like a bike ride is a series of ups and downs. The key is to stay positive during the climb, enjoy the ride downhill and always be ready to face new challenges.

7. Don’t Settle - When we arrived at our hotel in Bar Harbor we realized we had clearly chosen the wrong hotel. While on a walk that night we walked into a beautiful hotel right on the harbor. “They won’t have room,” I said. Yes, I was being negative. “Let’s just ask,” my wife responded. Turned out they not only had room, they were able to offer rooms at a lower price then the hotel where we were originally booked. www.TheHarborsidehotel.com was amazing and everyone there was filled with positive energy. I learned to not settle for less, expect more and always ask. We asked and it made all the difference.

8. Fish Where the Fish Are - After my children’s successful fishing experience in Kennebunkport (last weeks newsletter “you catch more fish being positive”) they were determined to fish again in Bar Harbor. But after many failed attempts we learned that there weren’t many fish in Bar Harbor due to the waters being over fished. So we decided to catch crabs instead. I told them you could be the best fisherman in the world and have the best fishing pole but if you are fishing in the wrong place they won’t do you any good. What a great business lesson!

9. Families Fight - Like all families my family fights. My kids fight with each other. My wife and I fight and we fight with our kids. I’ve realized it’s not about whether you fight or not but rather how you fight and whether you are a “real” family. This goes for teams at work too. Real families and real teams at work fight but they have a bond of love and trust that prevents the fighting from destroying the core. They fight, they make up and they move on. In fact, if you are a “real” family and “real” team, conflict often leads to growth. On the other hand, if you don’t have love and trust then fighting and conflict can actually destroy the family and team. Fighting exposes the deeper wounds revealing the lack of love and trust that exists. With fighting, remember that the core of love and trust must be more powerful than the issue causing the fight.


10. Enjoy More Moments - In The Energy Bus I wrote “We act like we are going to live forever, but instead we need to find forever in the timeless moment.” I heard of a study where they asked a group of 95 year olds if they could live their life all over again what they would do differently. The number one thing they said was that they would enjoy more moments. More sunrises and sunsets. Remember to enjoy the moments. It’s all we have. Here’s a moment I had the last day of our trip. Share your moments here on our blog.

Stay Positive!

-Jon

  1. 7 Responses to “Top 10 Thoughts”

  2. By Debbie F. on Jul 21, 2008

    My best friend from high school (and college) have been separated for many years. After she graduated from medical school, she moved away and we lost touch. But, I also was “tired” of her being so “bossy” and we had a fight. Over the years my dad told me when her parents passed away, etc., but always after the fact and I never made any attempt.

    Last year (2007) was not a good year for me, and it took reading the “Energy Bus” and several others that I realized that it was my reaction to situations, my perception of issues that were the real issue here.

    So I have started looking for her, and it’s taken me a long time to find her. I now have her home address and her work #; I have composed a letter and will be mailing it today.

    Thanks. I’ll let you know how things work out.

  3. By jan on Jul 21, 2008

    I like what Eckhart Toole says, “be friendly
    with the moment” and “don’t take yourself too seriously”

  4. By Arnie Goldman on Jul 21, 2008

    Today is the 26th anniversary of my brother’s death. He was only 13 when my father took him to a Detroit Tigers baseball game and on their way home, only a few blocks from their house, a young girl slammed into the passenger side. My brother died later that night.
    It’s taken a long time to accept the fact that his life was so short and the time since then much longer. But today, I try to remember the joy that Kenny brought to his family and friends and to appreciate the short thirteen years of his life.
    His life and death profoundly changed my father, mother, sister, and me. And our lives are much better because of him.

  5. By Erick on Jul 22, 2008

    Sometimes we miss the abundant of the hidden secret that surround us from everyday life that seems ordinary. Let us put more awareness to bring together the meaning from every event of daily living. Thank you Jon for sharing this 10 insightful stories with your Positive energy. Like it so much

  6. By Kevin on Jul 22, 2008

    Well put 10 points.

    And great Sunset picture–celebrate the moment.

  7. By Jon Gordon on Jul 28, 2008

    Debbie F,
    I’d love to hear how things turn out.

  8. By Jon Gordon on Jul 28, 2008

    Arnie,
    Your post really inspired and touched me. Thank you for sharing it. I’m reading a book right now titled The Shack and it’s about overcoming a tragedgy like the one you and your family experienced. You might want to read it as well. Best wishes,
    Jon

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