Dress The Part

From today’s reading…

When I played on sports teams from 1st grade through college, putting on the uniform meant it was time to get busy. (And I prepped that uniform the day before.)

Likewise, when I was in the military the uniform had to be in order to prove we were part of a bigger unit and we had our heads in the game.

Back when you were courting your spouse you’d be counting down the minutes as you washed behind your ears, picked up your dry cleaning, and cleaned out your car.

When you were on fire with your faith you’d show up 30 minutes early to get a great parking spot, a seat in the front row, and to volunteer for anything that needed to be done.

When you were new in business you showed up early and read the company brochure at your desk until you could quote every line of the 18-page, 4-color circular file filler. (That’s a trash can for you young whippersnappers.)

You put on your new outfit (Yes, flip flops and board shorts are “business attire” here in California. Can you tell I’ve been out of Texas for too long?) to both tell yourself it’s game time and to put the world on notice that you’re ready to deal…

Or at least you used to…and still do…sometimes… when you remember…and it’s convenient.

Be honest.

How often do you prepare even three minutes for a date with your spouse or an important meeting with a client, let alone three days?

How often do you enter the side door for your Sunday service at seven minutes after the hour because everyone will still be standing and singing so you can slip in (and out early) (almost) undetected? (I mean, who can blame you? The game, NASCAR, and golf are all on and the smoker has to be monitored because those ribs won’t cook themselves!)

May I be honest about how you’ve been lied to?

You cannot have it all.

In the last week I’ve seen at least three Facebook acquaintances post pictures from the hospital as they discovered rather abruptly that they cannot have it all.

It’s time you followed the advice of German industrial designer Dieter Rams of “Less but better.”

You cannot have it all. Besides, if you did have it all, where would you store it?

To make this happen you must get clear on the difference between priorities and priority.

It is impossible to have priorities because a priority is “a thing that is regarded as more important than another.”

You can scribble your “priorities” on the front wall in your office for all the world to see but everyone—including your spouse, your kids, your favorite uncle, your neighbors, the cashier at the grocery store, the ushers at your church—are all thinking, “Hey, Pal, your priority is showing” based solely on how you show up.

It’s time to grow up, dress up, and show up like you mean it.

Stay the course. Keep the faith. Endure.