Is it worth getting...

People ask me all of the time...was it worth getting an MBA?  Did it help me get to where I am?  Should they get an MPH?  Should they do another residency? What fellowship should they do?

Sorry Folks...You Have It All Wrong.

Imagine you are walking into your workroom. You look around at the tools you have and then you ask one of these two questions:

What CAN I make with these tools?

Or you can ask...

What do I WANT to MAKE?  

The Tools Come Second

There are times when you ask the first question and make something that is based on the tools you have on hand.  There isn't anything wrong with that if your goal is to just do something.  But if you have something specific in mind, such as a need to make a shelf but you only have the tools to make a wooden kids toy, then how does that help you?  It doesn't.  

When you go to the tool store you don't go there with the focus of buying a tool because it looks cool, you are buying a tool to achieve an objective.  An objective, like drilling a hole or sawing some wood, because it is what you need to create the project you have in mind.  You buy the tool that performs the function you need.  A hammer to drive nails.  A drill to make holes.  You don't buy a saw to put in screws. 

This brings us back to the question, what is more...

In life you play many roles. And on a daily basis, you play them in concert with other people - who just happen to be playing their roles also.

Kind of sounds like a symphony.  A symphony of life.  It's the symphony that you play which influences the outcome of your efforts.

Just like in a real symphony, it's important to coordinate your part with others.  You can't be playing Mahler, while someone else is playing Bach.  In a small band, it's unlikely that Baroque will mix with Rock & Roll.

You have to make choices ... in the band you play, as well as life.  You have some choices, but they are often limited by what the needs are of the band that you are joining.

What band are you going to play with?

What instrument are you going to play?

Who will be the conductor?

Who will be the players?

Who will be the composer?

If you want to make the future optimal for yourself and make it one that takes you toward your goals and objectives... isn't it time for you to ...

Pick the players in your band?

Conduct those players in your band?

And most importantly ... compose what your band will be playing? 

"You gotta do somethin' they never got 'em in the world."

What is your vision?

Simon Rodia had a vision.  Not many people really understood it, but in the mid of his life, he had a vision.  And he became committed to it.

He didn't have formal training.

He didn't have a supply of "normal" resources.

He didn't have a collection of industrial tools.

But he had made a commitment.

Because of that, Simon built his vision.  First a foundation, then a free form group of towers, some nearly 100 feet tall.   The "Watts Towers".

He built them by himself with makeshift tools and used anything he could find as his substrate.

For more than 33 years he worked on the project against all odds.  No funding.  Fighting with the city of LA. for permits.  

But despite all of this ... his work went on. And progress was made.

And the towers were built.

His vision.  His work. His accomplishment.

Yet his work provided enormous inspiration for others. But disdain from the "authorities".

Although the city of LA tried to tear the towers down as a "hazard", they withstood the attempt of the city to pull them over with cranes.  

And they still stand today.  A testimonial to the commitment to the vision of a single man.  Enjoyed by millions. 

What are you building?  What is it that you are ...

Are you bored with your goals?

Or are your goals boring?

Perhaps it's due to your level of inspiration.

If your goals don't inspire you to take action, your motivation will be low...if at all.

Maybe it's time to reassess what you want to achieve.

Maybe it's time to change your goals. Maybe not.

While you may think it's time to decide on a new destination ... 

Maybe it's not the destination, but the route you are taking to achieve your goal that is boring.

If your destination is still true ...

Then perhaps some "side trips" along the way can make the trip more interesting and valuable. 

Pull out your map and see what else you can visit and do along the way. 

Maybe it's time to "recalculate" your path.

And recharge your interest in your destination.

Everyone sets goals.

It's all of the different things that you want or wish to accomplish.

But how many of those goals actually get completed?

WHY?

Maybe you are trying to do too much. 

Maybe you are distracted.

Maybe your heart isn't big enough for all of those goals.

A basketball player has only one goal in mind when they are playing the game.  Putting the ball in the hoop.  Period.

Pick your game.  Pick ONE goal. Then focus on that one goal.

Then make it happen.