Doing What is Expected is a Start

In life there are times to do enough, there are times to do more than that, and the rest of the time you should try to really kick ass. There is nothing worse in the world to see someone with all the talent under the sun sell themselves short because they gave an average effort. A wise man once told me, "The successful do what the unsuccessful are unwilling to." That wise sage was none other than the man in denim, Grandpa Ray Jorgensen. Why was he saying this to me? Because for much of my life I was interested in being good, doing enough, and getting by. Why did this infuriate him? I could have done more. I could have gotten better grades, been a better athlete, and a better person over all. These days I am working all the time to close that gap between my results and my ability.

Most people, myself included at times, fall short of their ability in large part because it is easier to do so. Pushing yourself really cuts down on your TV/BBQ/Friends time. It is because of that the successful succeed and the average maintain.

This isn't just a business or school thing either. It's how successful you are in your family life as well. If you don't give 100% to your family it will suffer as well. I hope out of all of this endless babble I keep posting that you will realize that family is where it all starts. If life is good there, you will find that extra push to make sure your business, sports, or school falls in line as well. It's a matter of finding that little extra everyone else isn't doing and making sure that you are. If you ever need an example of that, just look at your mom. My Lord that woman fits a whole lot of day into a 24 hour cycle. Or look at your dad.... and then improve on that.

Please don't be one of those dead beats that says things like, "I provide for my family. I got a job. I pay my child support." Getting a C- minus in parenting gets your an F in life. That is great that these people do just enough to avoid jail. Congrats on fulfilling the very lowest level on the social contract. I hope that they are pleased. If Maury Povich ever calls, just know that you have failed in life. The end.

You don't have to be Warren Buffet, and you don't have to be Bill Gates. If you can be Ron Santo that will be good enough. Love what you do. Love those around you. Love who you are. But don't forget to kick ass in there. It will make everything a little better.

I will try to be a kick ass dad for you, at home and at work. Definitely on the T-Ball field as well.