Hi Friends,

This week I've been thinking about this quote:

“It’s not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the person who is in the arena. Whose face is marred with dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly ... who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly ...”

This quote sparked in my mind because J. I. Packer wrote about a similar idea. He talks about people on the sideline (Balconeers) and those in the arena (travelers),

"Balconeers and travelers may think over the same area, yet their problems differ... The "balconeers" can overhear the travelers' talk; they may comment critically on the way that the travelers walk; or they may discuss questions about the road, how it can exist at all or lead anywhere, what might be seen from different points along it, and so forth; but they are onlookers and their problems are theoretical only. The travelers, by contrast, face problems which, though they have their theoretical angle, are essentially practical- problems of the "which-way-to-go" and "how-to-make-it" type, problems which call not merely for comprehension but for decision and action too."

Long quote? Summary:

People who are on the field - on the journey of life actively - ask questions that are essential to their existence, while balconeers (those on the sideline/critics) are never really taking action on their insight.

I like problems of 'which-way-to-go' and 'how-to-make-it' more than the theory based assumptions & inaction.

And this is the realization I had to address in my life: It's easier to be on the sideline. It's easier to comment from the sideline. Many people spend a great deal of time on the sideline commenting about the field. So, I don't listen to the sideliner, the critic, the balconeer.

So, I try to identify when I'm on the sideline or when I'm on the field:

• Know when I am on the sideline: There are specific arenas that I know I'm on the sideline (like parenting, surfing, or leading a large company). I'm not doing those things - so, I have very little field-experience. Yes, I have my opinion, but I start aware that I'm coming from the sideline perspective - theoretical and distant.
• Know when I am on the field: When I'm on the field, and I hear sideliners comment about the field, I take it with a grain of salt. Notice the signal versus the noise - most, if not all, of these comments are just noise. I stay concerned with the technique more than the outcome.

On the field: Where to find advice

And when you know the points above, you know this: look for places where you can find advice from people on the field, who have faced the challenges you are currently facing. And, when you are on the sideline, accept that there are things you cannot see, feel, or experience from the sideline.

When you are on the field:

• Seek advice from other 'fielders'
• Then, break the rules!
• Challenge norms
• Explore options from your current vantage point
• Discover your own best practices

On the field: What to defend

"The critic hates most that which he would have done himself if he had had the guts." - Steven Pressfield, The War of Art

And it's totally okay to be on the sideline. If you know what your 'field experience' is, well - you won't waste time defending points from the sideline. I've never led a church - so I don't comment like I know how it all works. I do run a digital agency and I know what that is about. I don't own real estate (though I almost bought property), I don't have field experience in owning any property.

No need to get defensive about the field if I'm on the sideline. Life is not a sports game. Own your position if you are on the sideline. And in the same way, own your position when you are on the field. The more you on the field, the less critics on the sideline opinions carry any true weight. They are critics who don't have dust, sweat and blood on them.

My favorite finds this week

1 - Podcast: Jamie Foxx with Tim Ferriss - Who said a 2.5 hour podcast is too long. I wanted to keep listening! This podcast was recorded over 4 years ago and is still highly relevant in today's world. You can watch it on YouTube or find it on any platform with podcast by searching: Tim Ferriss Jamie Foxx

2 - Quote: "Focus brings more, not less." From a recent read, The Renaissance Soul: How to make your passion your life - A creative and Practical Guide by Margaret Lobenstine

3. - Funny: Want to have a break and a laugh? Watch this video by Trey Kennedy of trying to Explain 2020 to a Coma Patient on YouTube

4. Quote: "Smart people know what to do. They need to know what to stop." From What God You Here Won't Get You There, by Marshall Goldsmith

5. Video: A Second Brain: I never put it into words, but have you ever thought about having a second brain, using technology. Ali walks through 10 principles here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP3dA2GcAh8

All in,

David

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By David Iskander

I'm David, a search specialist, and beginner YouTuber from Orange County, CA. My motto is: Whatever you do, do it beautifully. I enjoy making YouTube videos about website design, tech, productivity, and faith.