Questioning Teams, Success, and "Rock Bottom"

“And I know, knew for sure, with an absolute certainty, that this is rock bottom, this what the worst possible thing feels like. It is not some grand, wretched emotional breakdown. It is, in fact, so very mundane:…Rock Bottom is an inability to cope with the commonplace that is so extreme it makes even the grandest and loveliest things unbearable…Rock bottom is feeling that the only thing that matters in all of life is the one bad moment…Rock bottom is everything out of focus. It’s a failure of vision, a failure to see the world how it is, to see the good in what it is, and only to wonder why the hell things look the way they do and not—and not some other way.”

-- Elizabeth Wurtzel

 

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Note to my readers:  I've garnered over 8,600 views of my answers in the past week.  As usual, being humble prevents me from doing anything more than smile at the fact that people find my answers worth reading.  A new feature the site has added is to show how many people read each answer.  I thought it interesting that over 600 read this one:

Why do some people perform their best when they have nothing to lose?

Because they have nothing to lose. Might as well throw all caution to the wind and go for the gusto. This is when most coaches can separate the wheat from the chaff. One has to work or play at the top of their game always, not just when the chips are down. Always give 110 percent.

Now, I was admonished by one of my readers for mis-stating the percentage in my answer.  It's a common saying.  Most of us know what giving more than 100% means, especially those in sports or the military, so I'm not going to bore you with an explanation other than to say, everyone expects you to give 100%, so, be an "angel" and give them 10% more than they expect.

For those looking for a deeper meaning, try this site out, for size:  https://angelnumber.org/110-angel-number-meaning-and-symbolism/ 

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What is the wackiest philosophical statement that could be true?

“It is what it is until it isn’t, and then it is what it is again.”

What are the 2 factors bringing humanity together?

Understanding and tolerance?

What do you do when you can't win for losing?

Lose gracefully.

“If you think life is all about winning and losing

Then you refuse the knowledge to learn”

-- Ojingiri Hannah

How does communication affect the success of an individual?

Good communication is a necessity for everything, especially success. Learning is communication. Feedback is communication. Writing, speaking, listening, seeing, are also aspects of communication and all are necessary for success. To my humble view, success without these is “blind luck” and has nothing to do with earning success.

How big of an influence does mindset play a part in one’s success in life?

If you can’t wrap your mind around what it takes to be successful, how will you ever be?

How can I hit rock bottom, because everyone says it is necessary to be successful?

If you’re going to hit "rock bottom," you will. Better to pay attention to the process and learn from the ups and downs. Hitting "rock bottom” doesn’t always occur, especially if you pay attention to what you’re doing. I’d look over your shoulder, occasionally, just in case “rock bottom” is sneaking up on you. If it is, have a plan for mitigation before it overtakes you.

“When I’m at the bottom looking up, the main question may not be ‘how do I get out of this hole?’ In reality, the main question might be ‘how do I get rid of the shovel that I used to dig it?”

-- Craig D. Lounsbrough

Are there times when the wrong choice(s) brings a positive destination?

If you’re a person prone to making piss poor choices, take heart that even a blind squirrel finds a nut eventually.

What would you do if you were in a position where you could get what you've always needed but the only way you would get it is by sacrificing yourself?

What would be the point, unless to save someone else’s life. But, even that would be selfless, because you still wouldn’t be there to enjoy their survival.  

Is choice important when making needs? Why?

We don’t make needs, we make wants. Choices are very important where our wants are concerned. Needs, on the other hand, we usually have no control over. They happen, and we need to satisfy them, usually for survival.

If we aren't careful, our children will come down with 'affluenza,' a disease that causes them to confuse wants and needs. We need to teach our children what my grandmother taught me: Think twice about spending money you don't have on things you don't need to impress people you don't like anyway.

-- Michelle Singletary

How should a person respond to deep, sincere praise?

“Thank you.” 

At what age did you discover what you wanted to do in life?

At 24, when I came up for renewing my military commitment for four more years. I was having a lot of fun with Intelligence for the first four years. Barring anything bad happening, I knew I was going to make a twenty-year career out of it.

What was the last image that made you think?

Indoctrination of our youth is an insidious thing. Some liberal school systems of the United States are trying hard to repeat history.

“The sad truth about humanity...is that people believe what they're told. Maybe not the first time, but by the hundredth time, the craziest of ideas just becomes a given.”

-- Neal Shusterman

What is the difference between a good team, an average team, and a mediocre team? How do they function and how do the interpersonal relationships behind them get to where they are?

Good communication, an ability to work hard toward the common goal, and respect for each other and the chain of command. I’ve only had good teams, so the average and mediocre definitions would be those teams who don’t live up to this one.

How can one be inclusive and a team player?

Do I miss the point of this? Being a “team player” is to be all-inclusive of others on the team, right? 

What defines a reliable team member for you?

I arrive early, they arrive before me. I stay late, they’ve already told their wife. I work hard, they’re working right beside me. I have questions they have the answers. They have questions, I’m concerned we may have gone off the rails. I don’t blow smoke up their ass and they pay me the same respect. Our projects are done ahead of time and better than others. I have to say, though, I never had one reliable team member, only reliable teams.

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.”

-- Phil Jackson

 

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as a chaplain at the regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony:  tolerantpastor@gmail.com