Post#10 » by Pogue Mahone » Sun Apr 20, 2008 3:04 pm
I am borderline, as well. Wait, I think you either are or not; there is really no in between.
For me, when I learn something new I tend to research that topic to death. Then something else comes along and I wear that out too. I tend to beat the proverbial brakes off of a topic until I feel comfortable enough in my knowledge of the subject.
When I was younger I played baseball and picked up chewing tobacco. The nicotine is addictive, as we are all too aware, and, well, the habit is just nasty. Anyone who knows me, though, knows that when I take a chew, I am Rainman-like in my actions. I pack three times, to the diamond on the top of the can. I pop the lid. I take a pinch. I always re-align the UPC on the side of the tin afterwards. Same thing. Everytime.
There is a reason I do that with my chew, even if the casual observer can't see it. Fine cut tobacco has a tendency to become de-compressed and float around in your mouth unless it was originally packed tightly. By ensuring the can is always aligned, the tobacco is always packed in the same direction inside the can. I allow the work of the previous taps to work in my favor. Efficiency and no wasted motion.
I create systems for doing even the most menial of tasks. And I stick to those systems. It allows me to function more efficiently because I always know where things are located and things are easily at hand.
I can understand were Ray is coming from. It is irritating to me to see people operate inefficiently or with wasted motion. I think that is why 'fake hustle' is one of my biggest pet peeves on a basketball court. Diving in the stands or hitting the floor is all well and good but if it's after the fact, it is more for showmanship and has nothing to do with the outcome of the play. You haven't accomplished anything other than tricking a few people into thinking you are accomplishing more on the court than you actual are.
The most glaring example of this is Derek Jeter. Yes it is baseball but it's the same principle. For instance, against the Red Sox a few years back, he ranged behind third base and made a great catch. He probably ran a good thirty feet or so. He then ran another fifteen feet and dove headfirst into the stands. He had to come out of the game but was given verbal fellatio for his 'hustle', 'grit' and everything else. No mention of his stupidity. He could have pulled up. It was all done for show.
Anyways, I think with hardwork and attention to detail, people can accomplish whatever they want to do. Perhaps that is a carry-over from my army days but, then again, I think I have always been that way.
Self-accountability and the discipline to prioritize and operate with focus provide structure and an environment which breeds success. In this manner, you realize your limitations, you minimize risks and leave yourself further options. Realizing that is very empowering, which, in turn, breeds even more success. The ball keeps on rolling.
Our state of mind can be tweaked for optimization. Some may view this approach as too rigid. Perhaps so. I find that thinking in these terms is refreshing because I find myself in complete control of where I go, what I do, how I do it. Knowing that any of my actions will have a consequence, both good and bad, puts all the responsibility on me.
If I choose do something, I assume the outcomes. I can step out into a crosswalk or I can choose not to step. I can look for oncoming traffic or I can step blindly. If I get hit by a car, at least part of the responsibility falls on me. With any assumption of power there is continued need for a reciprocated amount of responsibility.
So, when Ray uses these coping mechanisms, to me at least, he is just ensuring all his ducks are in row to put himself in the best position to succeed as possible. I find that admirable, honestly.
.
