Comments on: Remarkablogger Manifesto: What is Non-Negotiable?

By: Mark V. McDonnell

Mark V. McDonnell — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:52:31 +0000

Gee, Michael, this one has tripped me up utterly.

“Nonviolence” is the best I can do, so far; I’ll reflect further…

By: Sonia Simone

Sonia Simone — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:07:59 +0000

Yeah, Michael, I hear you. For me I just started out with a certain set of time habits when I went back to work after he was born. Then over time that became more and more of an expectation.

Anyway, if you decide to get some habitual time in there for family, I think you will get a tremendous amount out of it. (Small children are also good blog fodder, I’ve found. For some weird reason, everyone likes to read Great Truths as exemplified by goofy little kids.)

By: Rita

Rita — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:51:12 +0000

Flexibility is critical. Therefore, I would say that the only non-negotialbe things in my life are:
1. That the raising of my children belongs to my husband and myself, not third-party
“advisors.”
2. The balance in our bank account at the end of each month is non-negotiable. That is what we have to spend – not more.
3. Though I used to believe that values, morals and ethics were non-negotiotiable, I have found, as I get older, that they are: as we experience more things in life, even such things as our inner beliefs can change as we grow. My values and ethics were somewhat different in college than they are today – the core beliefs are the same, for the most part, but they, too have room for growth – hence, they are negotiable.

By: Michael Martine, Blog Consultant

Michael Martine, Blog Consultant — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:58:41 +0000

@Betsy – That’s a great story, and yes, doing the manifesto series has been an eye-opener for me. I can only hope that everyone else gets some value out of them, too.

@Sonia – That is wonderful. I find myself compromising on this too much, thinking I need to spend time working this or that and I tell myself I’m doing it for my family. But I don’t think it works that way in the long run. Non-negotiable family time would contribute more to overall success, but you can’t really see that when you’re in the middle of it.

This is cool that the “made you think” factor goes both ways. This is why blogs are so awesome.

By: Michael Martine, Blog Consultant

Michael Martine, Blog Consultant — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:35:30 +0000

@Pam – that was when I accidentally published this post ahead of schedule! Oops! They should work now.

By: Sonia Simone

Sonia Simone — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:26:00 +0000

My biggest non-negotiable (other than the no cheap beer one) is the time I spend with my little boy. There’s no way to make that up later, or offset it. I have times that belong to him, full stop. Other needs and wants get stuffed in around the edges, which is not always convenient or enjoyable, but that’s just the way it is.

By: Betsy Wuebker

Betsy Wuebker — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:19:53 +0000

Hi Michael,
One time a friend and I were discussing her decision to marry and she said, “I knew what he stands for.” She knew it then and he still does now, so it must have been non-negotiable. Marvelous!

I suspect this series has been just as grounding for you as it has been your readers. Thanks for the thought-provocation and the reminder to get centered!

By: Pam

Pam — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 18:34:16 +0000

Would love to read previous two posts, but links don’t work and they don’t show up in search. Thanks!