Defining the New Year

"The way I liked to define myself diverged from the actions that actually defined me. And this disconnect proved a nearly fatal level of self-deception." Duff McKagan, It's So Easy and other lies


For those who do not know Duff McKagan was the bass guitarist for the band Guns N Roses. This exerpt came from a biography he wrote about hs drug addiction, alcoholism and how he battled these issues to become the person he is today.

I do not suffer from either of those demons but have always felt we can learn from others, even if our lives are not parrellel. This particular passage made me stop and think. Most of us do define ourselves by our life actions, and depending on whether or not we make changes, it can affect the outcome ... our destinies.

Friday, I had a meeting with my boss who is someone who sees explanations as excuses. During this meeting I realised that he is right in that accessment. Why waste time on explanations? If it's not the right way to do something why not change.

This also translates to everyday life. About the only changes we can make sure take place are changes we want to make within ourselves and making excuses for what is wrong is just that ... an excuse.

There will be a lot of professional and personal changes for me this year. As Duff discovered I can't let the bad actions of life events define who I am. I'm better than that. I'm going to set goals and strive to achieve them and try to not let excuses define my life.

Happy New Year!