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My Pep Talk To You - "Rusty Latches"

by Mo Faisal
13 replies
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#business #life #pep talk #priority #rusty latches
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    For whatever reason, he was so distracted and drawn away by this tarnished clamp that he missed out on basking in something wonderful.
    No, he didn't. He had found a fascinating object. A rusty latch with hinges and holes - something he'd never noticed before. He was examining something that interested HIM - something tangible and real to him.

    He was focused on something wonderful to HIM rather than being drawn into the scenic views that fascinated adults around him. It's called "childhood".

    Over and over we said things like,
    "Oh, Jacob look at the pretty lighthouse."
    "Jacob, do you see the beautiful trees?"
    "Jacob, look at the sailboats."
    You know, over and over again we are given great opportunities to gaze upon beauty... I wonder how often we are preoccupied with the rusty latches of this world and fail to see the wonders all around us.
    The rusty latch was once bright and shiny and served a purpose. Understanding how the latch worked is a learning experience for a child. It is a real product that had a true purpose - a small item that held things together.

    The child was focused on a real object that interested HIM - and the adults were focused on making the child share their sensory experience. Maybe adults could learn from the child?

    A budding engineer may be fascinated with how things work - rather than a more passive activity of "looking at the view".

    kay
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    • Profile picture of the author Steve B
      No argument here that we all need to pursue those things in life that are most meaningful.

      Unfortunately, small business owners simply can't neglect "rusty latches" in their businesses.

      They need to pay attention to the tiny, seemingly insignificant little unpleasant (sometimes) tasks that have to be done in order to make their business function properly.

      You mentioned answering emails, setting up websites . . . those are the day to day business execution details that are usually required when you commit to doing Internet business.

      It would be very nice to simply "pursue the things we enjoy." But most often those pursuits don't put food on the table, by children's shoes, or pay the medical bills.

      I don't admire those who relentlessly pursue their own self interests. I admire those who turn outward and look to serve others with their heart and hands.

      Steve
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        I was reminded of being required to "take drives" when I was a child. My Mother was a big fan of a weekend "drive" where you looked at scenery and houses, etc.

        As a kid - I found it exceedingly boring. "Look at the trees" - was "oh wow, another tree...how exciting" to me.

        It's all in the perspective and it's different at different ages.
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        Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
        ***
        Live life like someone left the gate open
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    • Profile picture of the author Kathy Bell
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      No, he didn't. He had found a fascinating object. A rusty latch with hinges and holes - something he'd never noticed before. He was examining something that interested HIM - something tangible and real to him.


      The rusty latch was once bright and shiny and served a purpose. Understanding how the latch worked is a learning experience for a child. It is a real product that had a true purpose - a small item that held things together.

      The child was focused on a real object that interested HIM - and the adults were focused on making the child share their sensory experience. Maybe adults could learn from the child?

      kay
      Insightful post. We should not impose our world views on others...children or adults.

      But the point of the original post is also valid...to move forward without becoming distracted.
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      • Profile picture of the author Mo Faisal
        Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

        No, he didn't. He had found a fascinating object. A rusty latch with hinges and holes - something he'd never noticed before. He was examining something that interested HIM - something tangible and real to him.
        It was for the sake of brevity that I mentioned it was just a rusty latch. Instead, there were a few more things that kept him really distracted.

        What you said is true in a sense. I agree with you, Kay.

        But that's not really the point of this thread.

        The important part begins at the halfway stage of the post.


        Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

        You mentioned answering emails, setting up websites . . . those are the day to day business execution details that are usually required when you commit to doing Internet business.
        Well, Steve, if you read the post carefully, you'll see that I never once recommended to neglect those tasks.

        Instead, I suggested you prioritize things in your business so that the most important things gets done first.

        If you're gonna answer emails all day, I fear you won't get any meaningful things done such as getting more people in your marketing funnel or creating another info-product.

        Get the point?
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    • Profile picture of the author esuresh
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      No, he didn't. He had found a fascinating object. A rusty latch with hinges and holes - something he'd never noticed before. He was examining something that interested HIM - something tangible and real to him.

      He was focused on something wonderful to HIM rather than being drawn into the scenic views that fascinated adults around him. It's called "childhood".

      The rusty latch was once bright and shiny and served a purpose. Understanding how the latch worked is a learning experience for a child. It is a real product that had a true purpose - a small item that held things together.

      The child was focused on a real object that interested HIM - and the adults were focused on making the child share their sensory experience. Maybe adults could learn from the child?

      A budding engineer may be fascinated with how things work - rather than a more passive activity of "looking at the view".

      kay

      I completely agree with Kay King.


      What interests you, may not interest some one else. As far as the kid was concerned, he was focussed on his interest and you all on your interests. For you the beauty was to look around and see the Nature, and for him it was the game. So I feel he has not missed anything. I fact he must have enjoyed more than you all.

      You all felt the kid was distracted because of the game, but for the Kid actually you were the distraction instructing him to look around.
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      • Profile picture of the author Mo Faisal
        Originally Posted by esuresh View Post

        I completely agree with Kay King.

        What interests you, may not interest some one else. As far as the kid was concerned, he was focussed on his interest and you all on your interests. For you the beauty was to look around and see the Nature, and for him it was the game. So I feel he has not missed anything. I fact he must have enjoyed more than you all.

        You all felt the kid was distracted because of the game, but for the Kid actually you were the distraction instructing him to look around.
        Even I agree with him. No doubt about that.

        It was for the sake of brevity that I mentioned it was just a rusty latch. Instead, there were a few more things that kept him really distracted.

        But that's not really the point of this thread.

        The important part begins at the halfway stage of the post.
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        • Profile picture of the author 1byte
          Funny, I just came across this thread which is nearly a year old now, but wow -- what a great post!

          Excellent insights into how we often let the small things (rusty latches) distract us from what is really important in our lives. Before we know it, years pass by, and we have missed out on the very things we were working so hard to achieve.

          Reminds me of the old Harry Chapin song "Cat's In The Cradle" where the dad was always too busy to play with or spend time with his son. Years go by until finally the day comes when dad has time for his son, only to find that his son is all grown up and now too busy to spend time with his dad.

          After reading the original post, I commit to getting rid of the rusty latches in my life, and spending more time enjoying all the blessing God has given me.
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  • Profile picture of the author Big Rob
    Thanks for that ,Dax.

    I take dozens of mini vacations during the daily grind, enjoying the marvels of creation that surround us. If alone I thank God out loud, if not I give a silent prayer of thanks.

    And that includes thanks for the rusty latches

    Digging your work,Man.

    Peace,
    Rob
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  • Profile picture of the author KevinDahlberg
    Make sure you take in the beauty around you instead of focusing on your rusty latches.

    I definitely get having a bunch of rusty latches. I regularly see my friends and coworkers that have free time to go out every evening and have families and relationships. They may hate their day jobs, just like me, but they've accepted them because they want to have a "normal" life.

    Maybe it's good to have a few latches while you create the life you want to have. Most of us probably can't imagine a life of "just settling" and want to "live the dream."
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    • Profile picture of the author Mo Faisal
      Originally Posted by KevinDahlberg View Post

      Maybe it's good to have a few latches while you create the life you want to have. Most of us probably can't imagine a life of "just settling" and want to "live the dream."
      I guess you are taking a 'rusty latch' in the wrong sense here.

      Quoting from the main post:
      That's what a "rusty latch" is - a distraction. Something that causes you to turn away from whatever you've focused your attention or interest upon.
      I would rather have no 'rusty latches' in my life and business. So, when I'm out somewhere I don't wanna get distracted by anything including my business. And, when I'm working on my business I would rather not get distracted by the constant emails, etc and lose my focus.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Ten
    Great post, OP!
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