We shared the results of CITYVIEW’s Best of Des Moines readers’ poll at our Best Of Des Moines event last Tuesday evening at the Palace Theater in Adventureland. The results are in this month’s CITYVIEW magazine and at www.dmcityview.com.
I often wonder what motivates so many CITYVIEW readers to take the time to write in their choices for the best. The answer is that they are so impressed with what they experience that they want others to know, too. But what makes something “the best”? John Gordon summed it up well in his weekly newsletter from Aug. 21, 2017, entitled “11 Traits of the Best of the Best.” Here are a few of his points:
“The best are always striving to get better. They are always looking for ways to learn, apply, improve, and grow. They stay humble and hungry and are lifelong learners.” We should all make concentrated efforts to learn something new every day, and the simplest way to do that is to read. You are doing that right now.
“The best do ordinary things better than everyone else. For all their greatness, the best aren’t that much better than everyone else. They are simply a little better at a lot of things. They work hard to master the fundamentals.” There isn’t a magic pill for being the best, but it does require focus, discipline and work on all the little things.
“The best zoom focus. The best focus on what matters most and tune out distractions. Distractions are the enemy of greatness and the best don't let distractions get in the way of their growth and improvement.” Today’s world has more distractions than ever before, thanks mostly to social media. The best can clearly cut through that clutter.
“The best are mentally stronger. Life is not a sprint or a marathon. It’s a series of sprints combined with a boxing match. You’re not just running; you are getting hit along the way.” Nobody said life was easy, and we all have our crosses to carry. The best prepare for — and readily accept — those challenges and setbacks.
“The best leave a legacy. The best live and work with a bigger purpose. They leave a legacy by making their lives about more than them.” The older I get, the more I realize how important this is. We should all strive to make sure everything we are part of is better when we leave than when we arrived.
Have a marvelous Monday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman President and Publisher Big Green Umbrella Media shane@dmcityview.com 515-953-4822, ext. 305 |