Lego Laws for Life


Just about everybody owns or has owned a bucket of Legos in their time. There's no denying the fun they provide for a child or even for an adult, which is why, many Lego collections are passed down from one generation to the next. These brightly colored blocks of joy serve to challenge our creativity and our imaginations. They act as an empowering influence on our lives in that they almost beckon us to transform them into anything we want or can imagine.

Michelangelo was never short on imagination despite the fact he knew nothing of Lego. On completion of the Pietŕ [one of his greatest works of art] he was heard to have said, "The work of art was always in the block of marble. My job," he went on, "was to chip away at the unneeded bits of stone to reveal the creativity and beauty within."

It's not a stretch to believe that if Michelangelo were alive today, he'd no doubt see similarities in a simple box of Legos. He may have pointed out; the art is always in the bricks? the challenge is to assemble them to reveal a thing of beauty.

How true - but where's the relevance?

Lego Law #1: With Legos, There are No Restrictions!

Metaphorically speaking, Lego Law #1 in tandem with Michelangelo's rationale clearly demonstrates a similarity to human beings and the laws that govern life.

Each one of us ? without exception ? is blessed at birth with creativity and imagination. To be fair, we're not all blessed equally but there are still no limits on what we can do with the gifts we've been given. Although I could wax on about this for days, my point is, humans, like Lego, possess the fundamental building blocks to accomplish almost anything we want or can envision. And from Michelangelo's perspective, the beauty [we all have the power to create] is already within us. We just have to chip away at life to find it.

Lego Law #2: Legos need Sunlight!

No imagination, beauty or creative works of art will ever come to fruition if the Lego collection is under a bed or in the back of a darkened closet. That is to say, to create great works of Lego art, one must liberate them from the dark to the light so that then ? and only then ? steps can be taken to build structure from inspiration and imagination.

How sad it is that most people go through life keeping their creative building blocks in the darkness of their mind. Henry David Thoreau noted, "Most people live lives of quiet desperation." Like hidden Legos waiting for new creative opportunities, human beings innately posses the fundamental building blocks for improvement that sit patiently for new marching orders to express themselves.

Lego Law #3: Don't be Afraid to Tear Down and Start Again!

Parents are often taken aback to see children destroy a Lego creation they worked hours on to complete. Psychologists are quick to remind parents, the act of destruction is both developmental and healthy. In the end, children learn better and more innovative ways to construct their 'Lego-ations'.

Not surprisingly, the most successful men and women from all walks of life will attest to the fact that success of any kind results from the act of teardown and rebuild. The psychological motivation for this is not rooted in ongoing feelings of dissatisfaction or lack of accomplishment but rather a positive belief in the vital need to improve through renewal.

On the other hand, whether it's Legos or Life, a complete teardown and rebuild is not always essential. In Legos, the addition of two imaginary jet engines may be all that's necessary to turn a plane into a JET ? and the same is also true for life strategies. Sometimes a fine-tune is all that's required. The trick is, recognize it and don't be afraid!

Lego Law #4: Lego Art Becomes an Immediate Target!

Don't ever expect your childhood siblings to share in your Lego vision. The fact is; little brothers and sisters are always ready to help you expedite the Lego Law #3 ritual - especially the 'Teardown' phase. Experienced Legoists learn quickly to protect their creations to ensure they continue to reap the rewards of their hard work.

So too in the laws of life! Those who toil upward attract uninvited scrutiny on all they do as a result of their undaunted dedication to success. To dare to stand apart from the crowd, to embark on an uncharted course, to risk everything by tearing down to rebuild ? opens one up to green-eyed interpretation and not so unexceptional ridicule.

For the true Legoist, it is risk that fuels the fires that create the new and improved work of art. For high-achievers, risk fans the flames of passion, which, in the end, is what separates them from those who are destined to sit, uncomfortably, on the sidelines ? having already put away their proverbial Legos!

About The Author

Paul Shearstone aka The 'Pragmatic Persuasionist' is one of North America's foremost experts on Sales and Persuasion. An International Keynote Speaker, Author, Writer, Motivation, Corporate Ethics, / Time & Stress Management Specialist, Paul enlightens and challenges audiences as he informs, motivates and entertains.

To comment on this article or to book the Pragmatic Persuasionist for your next successful event we invite to contact Paul Shearstone directly @ 416-728-5556 or 1-866-855-4590

www.success150.com or paul@success150.com.







Related News



Parker hears, answers call for motivation - Press of Atlantic City

TSN.ca

Parker hears, answers call for motivation
Press of Atlantic City, NJ -7 hours ago
By DAVID WEINBERG Staff Writer, 609-272-7186 SAN FRANCISCO - Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Juqua Parker has always considered himself a good listener. ...
McNabb putting it on the line as Birds face must win in San FranThe Delaware County Times
all 481 news articles

Minnesota Gophers have extra motivation going against coach Tim - Pioneer Press

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Minnesota Gophers have extra motivation going against coach Tim
Pioneer Press, MN -Oct 11, 2008
By Marcus R. Fuller A stinging 44-17 loss at the Metrodome against Illinois last season was far from fun for Gophers football coach Tim Brewster. ...
An improved Juice awaits GophersMinneapolis Star Tribune
Illinois can't look past MinnesotaChicago Tribune
Gophers, Illini see similarities in their successChicago Tribune
Minneapolis Star Tribune
all 277 news articles

Motivation to Find America - Dakota Voice

Motivation to Find America
Dakota Voice, SD -22 hours ago
Muslim Turks conquered Constantinople in 1453, cutting off the land trade routes from Europe to India and China, so Europeans sought new routes. ...

Tough practices drive motivation - The Daily Collegian Online

Tough practices drive motivation
The Daily Collegian Online, PA -38 minutes ago
By Eddie Gentile Junior Lauren McCarthy tossed her racket up and snatched it out of the air while mumbling furiously at herself after losing a point to ...

Motivation, belief in venture can mean success - San Bernardino Sun

Motivation, belief in venture can mean success
San Bernardino Sun, CA -9 hours ago
You've come up with an idea for a business venture and believe it has great potential for success. However, you don't feel you have the technical expertise ...

Weight Loss Motivation: A Bonus on Your Quest for Fitness - Examiner.com

Examiner.com

Weight Loss Motivation: A Bonus on Your Quest for Fitness
Examiner.com -54 minutes ago
by Elizabeth Renter, Weight Loss Examiner Weight loss motivation is certainly something we would all like. Many interviews with huge weight loss success ...

UNC: Searching For Motivation? - Bleacher Report

Washington Post

UNC: Searching For Motivation?
Bleacher Report, CA -20 hours ago
Their motivation and drive satisfied, they were content, even if only subconsciously, with a Final Four berth. Now, an off-season later, the answers aren't ...
Defensive Notebook: UNC WeekBlue and Gold Illustrated (subscription)
all 508 news articles

Hierarchy of needs - Economist

Hierarchy of needs
Economist, UK -3 hours ago
First presented in a paper (“A Theory of Human Motivation”) published in the Psychological Review in 1943, it postulated that human needs fall into five ...

Investigator Discounted Palins’ Fears as Motivation to Seek ... - New York Times

WELT ONLINE

Investigator Discounted Palins’ Fears as Motivation to Seek ...
New York Times, United States -Oct 11, 2008
The assertion about Ms. Palin’s motivations in trying to have Trooper Wooten dismissed were one conclusions in the report, which was the culmination of an ...
Video: Alaska Panel Finds Palin Abused PowerAssociatedPress
Branchflower report draws mixed reactionsKenai Peninsula Online
Investigation finds Palin abused power in 'TroopergateSan Jose Mercury News
all 3,821 news articles

Hopkins concedes money is chief motivation - ABC Online

stv.tv

Hopkins concedes money is chief motivation
ABC Online, Australia -Oct 8, 2008
"My motivation is back pay," said Hopkins, who meets middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik in a catchweight contest in Atlantic City on October 18. ...
Boxing Our Way to Halloween: Starting with Kelly Pavlik – Bernard ...ringsidereport.com
Boxer Bernard Hopkins out to collect "back pay" vs. PavlikSun-Sentinel.com
Kelly Pavlik, Bernard Hopkins Media Interview TranscriptBoxingScene.com
Taipei Times
all 85 news articles