Give everything your heart – guest post
Posted by Ben Lumley on Mar 29, 2010 in Thinking Differently | 29 comments
Today’s post is written by Ryan Hanzel. Ryan writes for Writersaddict.net. A really talented blogger who always makes you think about life and the things involved in it.
When I talk about having heart, I do not mean the actual organ that is keeping you in this world today. My meaning of heart is putting that amount of effort into whatever it is you are doing and allowing the results to shine. Even if it is just raking up every single leaf in your yard to living in general.
Putting that extra amount of effort into what you do is like washing your car; if you only do a quick spray down with some suds it is noticeable. If you spend two hours washing, drying, and polishing your car it will reflect brightly as everyone you pass will wonder who is behind the wheel.
The same goes with what you do. Those who are working two shifts to pay the bills and still find time to read your children a bedtime story every day, that takes heart.
Recently I noticed myself not putting forth the little bit of extra effort to make my projects shine. I settled for what was required only. That is not acceptable; I will not allow it to be acceptable. Now I am raising my standards for how I do things. I will not do it just because it needs to be done, I will do it because it will be done.
If you read my blog you will know that I have a “go with the flow” attitude. That attitude is for resilient purposes, it is more of a defensive attitude in life. For everything else I like to incorporate heart into everything I do (this attitude requires a lot to maintain). Granted, recently, I have been slipping because I let everyday problems to get to me instead of meeting them head on.
Having the ability to put substantial amounts of effort into your everyday activities will brighten the results you are looking for and allow others to see a new glow around you.
What do you think?
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Hi Ryan,
Happy to meet you! I enjoyed your analogy of a caring car wash to putting an extra amount of effort into an endeavor — the car just seems to run better after such attention, doesn't it?
I've found 'putting your heart into it' can also mean that you've attached a positive purpose to your efforts. Giving everyday activities a purpose inspires motivation.
Cheers!
Morning, Ryan! I liked your words :”putting in a little bit of effort to make my projects shine”. It seems to me that, with all things in life, we can do them as chores, or we can engage ourselves in the process. Taking the latter path makes like feel so much more liveable!
Hi Ryan,
Your post reminded me of my favourite all time quote (from Kung Foo Panda but I suspect it has higher origins!)
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow's still a mystery. Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.”
I quote it a lot because its become very important to me. If you undertake everything with the mentality that it's a gift, it becomes easier to dazzle.
Great post, thanks for taking the time to write it
Ryan,
A simple message explained so succinctly, well done! Maintaining standards is an important feature of establishing consistent results.
Regards
Paul
Hey Kim,
Thanks! It is great to meet you also! Great perspective on it, we cannot make it anywhere without motivation or else it would be a bumpy ride.
Christine,
Thanks and I really do like engaging myself in my activities. Even if they are not what I want to do it can make them go along quicker and still look good in the end.
Eleanor,
That is also one of my favorite quotes even though I haven't watched it yet but I have heard you quote it several times before and it still moves me
You can never quote to much because having the right set of quotes can help life run smoother with the ability to look at it in a different perspective. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Kim
Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a great comment on Ryan's post. You're 100% right that when you put your heart into something you can attach a positive purpose to your actions. A lovely way to put it Kim!
Paul,
Thanks bud! Lol I was going to comment more on standards and consistent results but you hammered the nail right on the head. I enjoy your comments.
I take this stance Christine when I'm speak to young people in schools about things like exams. If we approach things because we feel we have to we're less likely to fully engage with the process. However if we can do things because we want to and we can see the positive impact that they have on our lives we'll always find a way to get fully immersed.
Ah I love that quote Eleanor – it's one of my favourites. Keep polishing your gift of today and make it dazzle.
Perfectly put Paul – if we want to produce consistent results we need to look at the standards we're setting for ourselves.
Yep, I know I'm guilty of quoting that A LOT so I thought it was best to acknowledge it from the outset
It really is brilliant though. In fact, now I come to think of it, I'm not sure but maybe I could use it in a blog post 
Raising my standards is what I need to do right now. In my tasks, I often find myself saying “that seems good enough”, but like what you said, this is unacceptable. If there's still time and opportunity, we need to put our heart to our tasks and see if there are things we can still improve in them.
For some things, good enough is good enough. We can do everything at the same level of effort. The trick in life is making good decisions about what is important enough to put your heart into and whatelse you can just be adequate.
Great post Ryan! I recently wrote something similar on my blog. My standard is that I should surprise myself with what I do and make myself go WOW. If I accomplish that, I have much higher chances of surprising others. Raising the bar is awesome and what more people should do!
Hi Julius
Raising your standards is a great way of producing results. Expecting more of yourself, of situation or opportunities which change how you approach moments in life.
Thanks for stopping by
Decision are the key Ralph. As Tony Robbins says “It in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.”
Thank you for dropping in – hope you are keeping well
Hi Lana
So great for to see you here!
I love your standard of trying to surprise yourself with everything you do. Keep raising that bar Lana!
Hey Julius,
Setting your standards a little higher in your life will add that extra coat of polish and allow you to feel even better about yourself (not saying you don't already but what could feeling better hurt?). Thanks for commenting
Hey Ralph,
You are right, anyone can achieve the same level of effort but when you put your heart into something it is like signing your own signature there. It is unique.
Lana,
Great attitude toward the approach your taking to your tasks! We never know what we really can accomplish until we try and if we put 100% into it that at least makes me feel accomplished.
Great guest post here Ryan. Sometimes doing just enough is enough, but not if you want to get more clients and grow your business. In tough economic times, you have to go the extra mile.
Matthew,
Very true! I hope one day my efforts will pay off and I will live the cozy life. Don't we all though.
I agree, actions that are flavored with your heart DO appear different.
(I still remember what my mother used to say “Cooked with love” )
Put doing something with all your heart requires a lot of energy input, and sometimes you don't
have that much. That's why I “only” pour my heart into situations that have a great effect :
Cooking, dancing, talking and creating !
You're completely right Matthew. Going the extra mile makes all the difference these days, some people are now expecting you to go the extra mile
Putting your heart in to something does take a lot of energy Mars you're right. I think you can apply the 80/20 to this kind of situation
Hi all,
Thanks for your responses. I've been thinking about it, and I feel that havinga good role model can help us figure out which standards to set higher. We can look at this person, identify his best qualities, and incorporate them in our own lives.
Mars,
I agree with you. There is a lot of energy required in it. Just make sure you don't do the things that has little effect to poorly though. Everything adds up. Thanks for commenting!