[June 27, 2022] Our existence is undeniably riddled with suffering and tragedy. Much of our world is also corrupt and tyrannical and if we don’t believe it, just look at the death and destruction of the 20th century, where evil ideologies took hold and led to the worse slaughter of humans ever recorded. So, why should you bother improving yourself?
To improve yourself means you don’t suffer any more stupidly than you have to, and maybe you can help so that others don’t have to either. If you don’t organize yourself properly, you will pay for it, and in a big way, and the people around you will also suffer. We often hear the advice, “Get your act together.” Well, that is the correct advice.
It follows the follow-on question, “How could we go about getting our act together?” The practical answer is to look around for something that bothers you and see if you can fix it. You have to ask yourself, “What can I do with my talents to make something better?” The answer could be straightening up a room, cleaning a room in your house, fixing coffee in the morning for your co-workers, or learning how to cook a meal.
You have to ask yourself, what would I have to do to make my life and the lives of others better? It’s not a command; it’s a question. The solutions will come to your mind, they will pop out at you, and you will see what has not been attended to and what you can do to fix it. Sometimes, the most straightforward solution to a problem is organization. Organize things, and the solutions to many problems become self-evident.
Start where you can start. According to Dr. Jordan Peterson, if there is something that you see that needs repair, and you can repair it, then fix it. If you fix a hundred things like that, your life will be much different. In particular, if you fix those things you do every day – and by the way, those things are not trivial, they are important – then you can extend yourself into broader areas. Be forwarded that although things may announce themselves to you that are in need of repair, it doesn’t mean that you right then and there should repair them.
It would help if you had some humility. You are limited. You are seriously limited in your ability to conduct yourself in technical areas that request extensive training, apprenticeship, and professional experience. But our daily lives are where we can start and begin that fundamental change necessary for our long-term well-being and the well-being of those around us, like our family and friends.
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Please read my new book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” on Amazon (link here).
Dr. Jordan Peterson said this.
Yep, why bother? Well, if you can’t answer that question, then you are intellectually and personally in deep doodoo. Yeah, that’s right. So, enjoy the day, make it your personal plan to do something to make yourself a bit better, and plan to help someone too.
Hey Cow Blue, haven’t seen you on Gen. Satterfield’s blog in a couple of days. Good to have you back.
Gen. Satterfield, nailed it with this article. The question should be asked by each of us. And, then, the next step is searching for the answer. And, it’s not too hard when you are surrounded by those who really care for us and are willing to say, “that’s stupid, don’t do it.” But today, we are too afraid of saying this. How stupid can we all be to let folks do whatever they want?
Hey guys, lets not forget to support Gen. Doug Satterfield by getting his new book, ‘Our Longest Year in Iraq.’ The link is above but I duplicate it below. I got my copy, get your copy today and don’t be a troll.
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Longest-Year-Iraq-Construction/dp/1737915510/
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Pow, you got it, American Girl —– 👍
Excellent article this morning, Gen. S. Thanks.
Yes mainer, exactly why I and so many others come to this website to read about something new each day to make us better leaders….. if only we have the drive to do it. Like Gen. Satterfield says, you got to know where you are going, how to get there, and the motivation to get there. Those three things are necessary for any of us to succeed in life (which is a sort of competition).
Yes, and as it should be because competition makes us stronger.
Got that right, boys!
Lots and lots of self-help books and companies out there willing to take your dollars for get a tinsy bit better. But here is a free community where you can really see the daylight.
Yep, and come here for free. And, don’t do stupid.
Another great and spot on quote from Gen. Satterfield,
To improve yourself means you don’t suffer any more stupidly than you have to, and maybe you can help so that others don’t have to either. If you don’t organize yourself properly, you will pay for it, and in a big way, and the people around you will also suffer. We often hear the advice, “Get your act together.” Well, that is the correct advice.
Gen. Satterfield, once again you impress. I’ve been one of your fans for a long time and I do appreciate the variety you have establsihed here. Well done and keep up the great works you are doing to help young leaders see the way of success.
Eddie, you and I are some of the longest, most dedicated fans and, yes, we do gain a lot from this leadership website. Gen. Satterfield is providing also a platform (here) for us to discuss ideas and politely push ideas that are new (maybe new) and can be put up for debate. That is what allows us to improve our thinking processes.
If I don’t have the drive to improve myself, who will care?
Only your enemies care that you do not improve upon yourself. Why else? They are ready to pounce upon you like flies on dog sh$$.
Good one, Rev!!!!
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Great rhetorical question. We all need to be asking that question to ourselves each and every day. “If we don’t have the drive to improve myself, who will care?” Let me say that ultimately, no one will care. Make yourself into something.