Ashley
Originally uploaded by B-ron.

“We all do ‘do, re, mi,’ but you have got to find the other notes yourself.” ~ Louis Armstrong

I’m going to give you some credit and assume that you probably know, you just have a hard time doing. I know I’m this way in some areas in my life. You get the do, re, mi, part. It’s taking that knowledge and applying it in the form of action (finding the other notes) to make music in your life that’s tricky.

You usually know what to say. You usually know what you shouldn’t say. You typically know what you need to be doing. You typically know what you shouldn’t be doing.

Ask anyone how to lose weight and most will give you the same basic advice. Eat healthier and work out regularly. Sure, there are different variations and opinions on how to accomplish it, but in the end it’s still do, re, mi. The true success lies in all the other notes that you must find yourself. Desire, determination, self control, and so on.

Apply that same concept to other areas in your life. Your relationships. Your job. Your networking. Your personal growth. Your goals.

Whatever it is, this general idea applies. Deep down you know and can do do, re, mi. You just need to find the other notes to start making some music.

The Death of Creativity
Originally uploaded by Little Thoughts

“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” ~ Gandhi

I get irritated with people, including my own friends, who say they don’t read. Some even say it with pride, as if it is cool not to read. Some even plaster it on their Facebook profiles with a little, “lol”, after it. Well, it’s not funny. I’m certainly not laughing out loud and neither are others.

Some say ignorance is bliss. I disagree. Ignorance can be dangerous. What you don’t know can hurt you and often will.

Let me give you just 3 very good reasons you should be reading:

1. You gain knowledge.
2. You open up your imagination.
3. You exercise your brain.

So pick up a book and start to read. Gain some knowledge, open your imagination up to some new possibilities, and get your brain in shape.

“They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it’s not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.” ~ Terry Pratchett

Relative Closeness
Originally uploaded by drewmaniac

In the comments of my previous post on doing something different, Cassandra brought up an excellent point. Sometimes people do not know the difference between being different with a purpose and simply being “a bit nutty”.

I like to leave things to the imagination when I write. I don’t like to have to spell it out and I hope we can have a better discussion in the comments. Sometimes, however, it can be constructive to go a little more in depth. This is one case where I think it can be more useful.

I’ve devised a couple of short lists. One list shows you what it means to be different with a purpose. The other shows you a few things that will make you different, but more on the “nutty” side as Cassandra put it.

Different with a purpose.

• Challenging the status quo for the express purpose of improving things.
• Changing your usual routine and adding some healthy, useful habits in an effort to break up the monotony in your life and job.
• Taking on a new direction in your life because the direction you are heading is full of problems and failure.
• Understanding that it is impossible to be everything to everyone, tossing aside that desire to please everyone and go with the flow.
• Realizing that it (your project, your job, your goal, etc.) is not working and changing course because you must in order to be successful. This isn’t giving up, it’s quitting at the right time.

Different, but a little on the “nutty” side.

• Rebellion against the status quo for the express purpose of making waves.
• Changing continuously in an effort to make sure no one knows what to expect, even you.
• Taking on a new direction in your life simply because you are bored. It’s true that you might need to go in a different direction, but there should be a better reason than simple boredom.
• Believing it is possible to be everything to everyone. Always trying to make everyone happy instead of just your most loyal of friends, customers, or fans. Note: This isn’t really different. This is like far too many people out there.
• Doing the same thing over and over again. Failing time and again, thinking all along that this time there will be a different result. See the definition of insanity if you’ve got time.

As you can see, one list can be meaningful and can lead to other opportunities. The other list will get you attention, but it won’t be positive in the long run. One makes a difference while the other just stands out.

I’d rather be a making a difference than just grabbing attention any day.

Laundry Awaits
Originally uploaded by drewmaniac

So what you’re doing isn’t working. Now what?

Dare to do something different for once. Challenge the status quo. Change your usual routine. Take on a new direction. Decide to stop going with the flow and do something that is meaningful and will stand out. Do something different in an effort to be remarkable.

Of course, you want to do something different for the right reasons. Doing it different just to be weird or get attention usually doesn’t work out positively. Do something different, but don’t do it for the sake of being different.

Be and do something different, but with a purpose.

Endless Journey
Originally uploaded by h.koppdelaney

Sometimes you have to start.

When I started this blog nearly two years ago, I had no clue where I was going. Not that I have much of one now, but I’d like to think I’m a little more consistent and have a better idea of where I’m heading. The point is, I started. I began. I just had to get moving in order to get somewhere.

You can read all the blogs, books, and opinions. You can consult all the experts. You can listen to all the critics. You can study all the time. You can prepare to no end. In the end, you must start in order to ever accomplish anything. You don’t want to be the guy with all the knowledge, but never putting that knowledge to any use.

• Start your project.
• Start your diet.
• Start your work out.
• Start your blog.
• Start your goal.
• Start your business.
• Start your change.
• Start your journey.

Sometimes you have to start. The rest of it will take care of itself as you continue the journey.