Questions of Choices, Performance, and Right

 

“Sometimes you have to choose between a bunch of wrong choices and no right ones. You just have to choose which wrong choices feels the least wrong.”

-- Colleen Hoover

Do people with higher GPAs often succeed better than those that don't?

They seem to have a knack for focus and learning. Whether they are “smart” and “intelligent”, is more to the point. I know of very intelligent people who can’t walk and chew gum at the same time. I have also seen very intelligent people who have seven duplicate suits and seven duplicate shirts in their closets. Sometimes too much focus can stifle creativity.

Do we need to always do the right thing?

Generally. I can’t think of a time when doing the wrong thing would be appropriate. Maybe to teach someone a lesson, but that might qualify as the right thing to do.

What are your simple strategies and methods to become rich and famous?

My desire to become rich was overtaken by my age, and I have never been one to desire fame. I realized, some time back, that true happiness is more important than anything else. Without true happiness, what good is anything else?

“When you work on something that only has the capacity to make you 5 dollars, it does not matter how much harder you work – the most you will make is 5 dollars.”

-- Idowu Koyenikan

"What we focus on outside is a reflection of what we feel inside" Do you agree with the given statement? Explain why or why not.

If you’re not lying to yourself, this is a pretty valid statement. If I’ve focussed on a woman with great legs, it stands to reason I might be infatuated with her legs. If I smell pizza and it makes me hungry, it stands to reason I might like pizza. If I focus on images of Auschwitz, it might stand to reason the Nazis just piss me off. So, generally, I’d say it makes pretty good sense that we focus on things that create interest or emotion in us.

Research has shown that over half of the decisions made within organizations fail. Does this surprise you? Why or why not?

No. I worked for an organization with 300 employees who knew more about the business's inner workings than the owner and managers. If you don’t lean on your knowledge base how do you make quality decisions? For instance, many of us recommended a wifi modem in the new building’s auditorium as a better choice than Cat-5 cabling, since wifi was already in laptops. We laid Cat-5 throughout the auditorium and never used it. Truth be told, we could have put wireless modems on every floor and been so far ahead of the game.

Have you known a weak person that got fed up being pushed around and eventually turned the tables and fought back? And how long did it take them and how did they finally fight back?

I was one of them. I got tired of being bullied, picked up a tree branch, and would have beat a kid to death had it not been for a mutual friend pulling me off of him. From that point on I have stood up for the underdog. I still do to this day. I endured many beatings, early on, but bullies soon learned I was not going to back down from a fight, win or lose.

“Not until something challenges you to rise up, you shall always stay down; not until you realize your enough is enough, you shall always have enough. When you keep exerting your energy, time and attention on things which least invoke your courage to rise up and climb to the distinctive best, you shall always stay at your best with the same energy, time, and attention time on the less better you because of reluctance, ignorance and fear! The lion that hunts, is always on the move! Awake, challenge and change something!”

-- Ernest Agyemang Yeboah

Do high-performing people find being a high performer easy?

If they find the constant practice and study, required to keep them as the high performer they are, as easy, then yes. Otherwise, it takes a lot of work to stay on top. Do most find the work as worth the effort? Probably. Even though it may not be easy, they recognize it as being necessary.

Have you ever walked into a teammate, coach, or manager and realized something wasn't right? If so, what happened?

Yeah, and as a team member, I advised the supervisor and manager of my concerns and recommended they keep an eye on them. The member ended up being replaced because the team got tired of taking up their slack.

What should a personal journey of success within a company focus on today?

The same things it should have always focused on, hard work, skills, knowledge, out-of-the-box thinking, professionalism, and an ability to work with others to attain a goal.

“If you do not have control over your mouth, you will not have control over your future.”

-- Germany Kent

How important is self-knowledge in choosing a career?

If you don’t know you, your career choice will probably suck. Self-knowledge will help you hone in on what’s right for you.

How can one present oneself in a way that will make the desired impression?

If you’re presenting yourself to professionals, it’s probably a good idea to dress and act professionally. If you’re working around people who dig ditches, it’s probably not a good idea to carry a clipboard. Try exercising your memory, roll up your sleeves, and bring lunch. They’re ditch diggers. Recognize they’re working their asses off and you'll get further while you're with them.

If anybody makes their own choices, do you tell them “It’s up to you.”, “That’s your choice.”, “Suit yourself.” or “Have it your way.”?

No, I assume they already are aware of all that.  If they want my opinion they can ask for it.  After all, it's their own choice.

“People pay for what they do, and still more for what they have allowed themselves to become. And they pay for it very simply; by the lives they lead.”

-- James Baldwin

Does it get any better after age 60?

That depends on if you’re not already happy always. I fully retired at 62 and life was as good as it’s ever been, but, then, I was already waking up and thanking God for the gift of another glorious day in paradise and another chance to excel in life. If you’re happy always, how does life get any better?

What is it like to have never achieved anything?

I would think it’s pretty empty.

How many times have you been called out this year for doing something you really love?

Nobody “calls me out.” I think it's because they know I really don’t give a fig what they think about what I do. One of the benefits of standing by a code of ethics and always trying to do right. Keep in mind that not one of us is righteous, not one, and then dare them to call you out.

"There are some people who put you down in life, mock your dreams, and challenge your personality; they look like winners. But in actual fact, they are only voicing out their insecurities and jealousy. Do not let them pull you down. Believe and accept yourself and hold onto what you believe in."

-- Unknown

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