#161

Welcome to Weekly Whisper #161.

We either pay at the beginning or we pay at the end, either way we pay

A few years ago I tried a little social experiment.

For a few weeks when eating out I’d tip the person serving us before we chose our dinner.

Yes, it took a little to overcome the public awkwardness and the subsequent surprise from the wait staff.

However, what happened in most cases was that the wait staff were particularly sensitive, accommodating and open to our needs.

Our overall dining experience was better.

Would the wait staff have paid the attention they did without the proactive tip? Maybe.

Did it enhance our dinner experience throughout? Definitely.

At the time, it got me thinking about the idea of either tipping up front or tipping at the end.

Have I continued?

No! I got distracted.

But a LinkedIn post from a buddy of mine encouraged me to begin again.

@ColinHiles wrote about choosing the right hard.

For example:

Upfront: Exercising is hard.
Downstream: Being frail and weak is hard.

Upfront: Studying and revising is hard.
Downstream: Failing an exam is hard.

Upfront: Cooking whole foods from scratch is hard.
Downstream: Health issues from eating badly are hard.

Upfront: Managing one's ego - the need to always be right is hard.
Downstream: Divorce is hard.

Upfront: Being financially disciplined is hard.
Downstream: Being in debt is hard.

Upfront: Getting up early to exercise is hard.
Downstream: Joint pain from being overweight is hard.

Upfront: Communicating work boundaries is hard.
Downstream: Burning out is hard.

Click here the read the post.

Whatever we choose to do is likely to contain some form of ‘hard”.

It’s hard now and it’s hard later.

What I’ve found is that paying at the beginning is hard at the start but gets easier whereas paying at the end is easier but gets harder.

So, we either pay at the beginning or we pay at the end, either way we pay.

Which ‘hard’ are you paying for and when?

 
Catch up on the Freedom Fridays Podcast before next week's new release

In Episode #86 of Freedom Fridays Podcast, Pete dives into a captivating conversation with his dear friend, Steve Ellis. Steve shares his awe-inspiring journey to Everest Base Camp and beyond, weaving together 'hero's journey' tales of resilience and discovery.

Steve, a return guest to Freedom Fridays, reflects on side stories from his trek, discussing the aspirations kindled by his journey and its lasting impact. They delve into Steve's personal transformation after being diagnosed as pre-diabetic, which led to significant lifestyle changes and eventually the trek to Everest Base Camp—a shared dream between Steve and his wife, Debbie.

Steve recounts navigating the perilous Lukla airport, facing high altitudes, and enduring harsh conditions. They discuss the metaphorical and literal mountains climbed, unique characters met, and deep introspections prompted by such an epic journey. From the rugged Cairngorms to lessons from Adele Pennington, the pioneering British woman who conquered Everest twice, Steve's experiences highlight the technical challenges and strategic weather windows crucial for a successful summit.

This isn't just the recounting of a trek; it’s a dynamic exchange full of energy, laughter, and profound insights into the power of pursuing one’s dreams. Tune in to be inspired by the transformative power of pushing beyond boundaries, a testament to the physical journey to Everest Base Camp and an exploration of the inner journey of self-discovery and mutual support through life's challenges.

                                     

                      

 

That's all for this week. If you’ve been enjoying the Weekly Whispers please feel free to forward it to friends and anyone you think would benefit.

As always, please send me an email at [email protected] to send me your feedback or to let me know your thoughts.

Cheers

Pete