S:0514 Distinction: Encouraging vs. Pushy

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   As leaders we sometimes want people to do things faster than they currently are. (In fact, for some of us, people are always slower than we wish! You know who you are.) This distinction is about […]

S:0507 Distinction: Disappointed vs. Discouraged

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   There can be a fine line between being merely disappointed and being discouraged. When you re disappointed you re unhappy because something you hoped for or expected didn t happen. That s not fun, but it […]

S:0504 Distinction: Standard vs. Habit

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   These two words are very close in meaning and usage, but they do have a distinction worth noting. [This is about useful habits. “Bad” habits are the subject of other S3MC s.] A habit is something […]

S:0502 Distinction: Could be vs. Should be

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   “Should be” is an interesting energy. When you think something should be a certain way; when you know what should be; when you build your life and actions around what should be; you cut off your […]

S:0500 Distinction: Ready vs. Willing

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   Many people think that because they are willing, they can accomplish a task. Not true. Willingness, eagerness, and excitement are insufficient, if you have not prepared yourself adequately. Someone who has done their homework — studied, […]

S:0499 Distinction: By Design vs. By Necessity

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   At some point you may have had to do something “out of necessity.” It s a phrase used a lot. To do something by design is different. It means you are at choice; you have a […]

S:0498 Distinction: Passion vs. Zealotry

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   Ah, Passion! Passion drives. Passion pulls. It is an effusive energy which enrolls and gathers others. Passion creates. Passion tries, fails, and tries again. Passion! You can feel good just in the word. On the other […]

S:0496 Distinction: Focused vs. Feral

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   This distinction may seem like a stretch since the definition of feral mainly applies to animals, specifically animals that live or grow in the wild after having been domestically raised or acclimated. A feral animal acts, […]

S:0493 Distinction: Separate vs.Reject

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   Have you ever been around young teenagers? If so, you may have noticed that at that age they start to assert their independence. They do this by pulling away from their family unit. This is a […]

S:0492 Distinction: Extreme vs. Safe

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   So-called extreme sports are popular right now — extreme skiing, extreme boarding, probably even extreme chess. Extreme is doing something beyond the normal bounds. Not safe. Not even close to safe. Extreme. Always living life safe […]