Abstract:

Presidents and my family, two topics I love to discuss.  This blog from late 2012 reminds us of a path to living the good life.

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Last week, while helping my niece with high school application essays, I came across a quote from FDR.  He was an alum of one of the schools she hopes to attend.

As a private citizen and as a statesman FDR implored us to value persistent and bold experimentation.  And regardless of your view of his politics, he certainly did just that throughout his personal and professional life.

Roosevelt was implicitly asking us to live a life guided by some set of principles, values if you will.  Values are like a compass; they help to guide and direct us when we are faced with forks in the road.  They do not always make us feel good though.  They make us act good!

They may even frustrate us as they stop us from making bonehead choices, choices that in the moment seem like so much fun, but are harmful to us and/or our community.

What are your values? Many people choose words like “connection” or “love”.  Great, good start . . . that is Step 1.  Step 2 is to create a sentences (or series of phrases or sentences) to explain what you mean in more detail.

So last week I created a core values statement to reflect how I want to show up each and every day:  living a life of consistent (not persistent, a bit too assertive for this assertive guy) and bold experimentation.

[2019 Update: My statement has developed over the years, it now reads . . . Bold and consistent experimentation that cultivates and promotes 1) community and individual well-being, 2) virtuous and intellectual pursuits, and 3) a lasting ethical and moral legacy, regardless of how it makes me feel.]

How do you want to show up each day?  Is there a personal core value that you have yet to identify? In what ways can you express that value today?

Require some inspiration?  I will leave you with an FDR challenge: “The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it: If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.”

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If you have any questions about coaching please feel free to contact me at scott@kineticcoaching.co, and remember I always offer a complimentary 30-45 minute session to prospective clients to determine if we want to work together.