Curious about the Difference between Skepticism and Cynicism: Which Are You? A Skeptic or a Cynic? Or Neither?

Definition of Skepticism: (1) An undecided, inquiring state of mind; doubt; uncertainty. (2) The doctrine that no fact or principle can be certainly known; the tenet that all knowledge is uncertain; the position that no fact or truth, however worthy of confidence, can be established on philosophical grounds; critical investigation or inquiry, as opposed to the positive assumption or assertion of certain principles.

Definition of a Cynic: The first Cynics were noted for austere lives and their scorn for social customs and current philosophical opinions. Hence the term Cynic symbolized, in the popular judgment, moroseness, and contempt for the views of others. One who holds views resembling those of the Cynics; a snarler; a misanthrope; particularly, a person who believes that human conduct is directed, either consciously or unconsciously, wholly by self-interest or self-indulgence, and that appearances to the contrary are superficial and untrustworthy.

You are probably wondering why I chose this topic. This past year I have become involved with Network Marketing. You may already realize that this industry – when we approach others with our business opportunity – is met with skepticism. I have heard many of my team members state that they are pleased with the skeptics, but want nothing to do with the cynics.

That’s when I decided to find out the differences. I do think that in this day and age, that more people are skeptical and even cynical than in the past. I do know that there is a lot of hype circulating, both on the Internet and offline in advertising. A day doesn’t go by for me without being offered the “answers to at least one problem.”

So, as a legitimate business owner, I am challenged to gain the trust of the skeptic and also the cynic (if possible). From the definitions and through many experts’ quotations, I did find different views of both.

We’ll start with skepticism:

• “Education has failed in a very serious way to convey the most important lesson science can teach: skepticism.” - David Suzuki, Canadian scientist
• “The natural cause of the human mind is certainly from credulity to skepticism.” - Thomas Jefferson, American President
• “Skepticism is an important historical tool. It is the starting point of all revision of hitherto accepted history.” - Samuel E. Morison, American historian
• “Skepticism: the mark and even the pose of the educated mind.” - John Dewey, American journalist
• “Large skepticism leads to large understanding. Small skepticism leads to small understanding. No skepticism leads to no understanding.” - Xi Zhi, Chinese philosopher
• “Skepticism, like chastity, should not be relinquished too readily.” - George Santayana, American philosopher

Now, on to cynicism:

• “I don't think you lead by pessimism and cynicism. I think you lead by optimism and enthusiasm and energy.” - Patricia Ireland, American activist
• “The only deadly sin I know is cynicism.” - Henry L. Stimson, American statesman
• “You know what the critics are. If you tell the truth they only say you're cynical and it does an author no good to get a reputation for cynicism.” - W. Somerset Maugham, British playwright
• “Cynicism is tough. A cynic's point of view is really pitiful. I derive pleasure out of a lot of things in life. As long as I'm fairly healthy, it's hard to stay dismal for very long.” - Shawn Colvin, American artist
• “Life is not an easy matter... You cannot live through it without falling into frustration and cynicism unless you have before you a great idea which raises you above personal misery, above weakness, above all kinds of perfidy and baseness.” - Leon Trotsky, Russian revolutionary
• “The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it.” - George Bernard Shaw, Irish dramatist

And then there was one of the quotations by one of my favorite authors that I am still thinking about:

“The worst cynicism: a belief in luck.” - Joyce Carol Oates, American novelist

So, what do you think? And, are you skeptical or cynical? Or, both or neither?

Curious about Investment: How Much Are You Investing in Yourself? Or Are You Just Paying for Expenses?

“If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” - Benjamin Franklin, American politician

This afternoon I was listening to a CD where a successful woman was relating how she and her husband changed their approach to money and financial expenditures. She pointed out the differences they had to learn between expenses and investments. As an example she compared going to a movie – an enjoyable expense with little or no pay off – to the investment of buying self improvement tools.

This couple have long been involved with the business I joined last summer. The speaker told how in the beginning they were worried about the money they were spending on books, CDs, DVDs, seminars and conventions. That was until they realized that these were investments in their future, while so many of the unnecessary expenditures were actually expenses.

When I hunted for quotations about investment, of course I found many that addressed taxes and economics, but was also pleased to find quite a few that fit my perception of worthwhile investing.

• “Education is the investment our generation makes in the future.” - Mitt Romney, American politician
• “There is no investment you can make which will pay you so well as the effort to scatter sunshine and good cheer through your establishment.” - Orison Swett Marden, American writer
• “Taking the time to read to children is not only a worthwhile investment but also a wonderful experience. I have visited 119 schools in Maine, and these visits are among the most rewarding experiences in my career in public service.” - Susan Collins, American politician
• “When the students are occupied, they're not juvenile delinquents. I believe that education is a capital investment.” - Arlen Specter, American politician
• “We need to make a greater investment in human intelligence.” - Bob Graham, American politician
• “My best investment is my imagination, because it has never failed to bring me my greatest returns!” - Randy Castillo, American musician
• “The prudent course is to make an investment in learning, testing and understanding, determine how the new concepts compare to how you now operate and thoughtfully determine how they apply to what you want to achieve in the future.” - Dee Hock, American businessman

And then, two of my favorites:

“There's a need for accepting responsibility - for a person's life and making choices that are not just ones for immediate short-term comfort. You need to make an investment, and the investment is in health and education.” - Buzz Aldrin, American astronaut

“Goodness is the only investment that never fails.” - Henry David Thoreau, American author

I ask you, how are you investing in your future? Think about the books you are reading, the audios you are playing, and the choices you are making for spending your time? I would love to read your feedback.

Curious about Entrepreneurs: What Makes Them and Us Special? Are You One?

“Entrepreneurs are risk takers, willing to roll the dice with their money or reputation on the line in support of an idea or enterprise. They willingly assume responsibility for the success or failure of a venture and are answerable for all its facets.” - Victor Kiam, American businessman

“The entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity.” - Peter Drucker, American businessman

In many instances lately I have read about entrepreneurs and the rise in numbers, especially on the Internet. When I have taught my “How to Discover Your Core Passion” continuing education class, I have found that the majority of those who enroll are hoping to start their own business. But, I wonder how many will take action, and how many, if they go ahead and take action, will happily succeed. One reads of so many small, new businesses that don’t last. Is it because the business idea is not a winner? Or does the owner give up too soon? Or, possibly they do not have the qualities of an entrepreneur.

Let’s see what our experts have to say about that:

• “Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage.” - Niccolo Machiavelli, Italian writer
• “Going into business for yourself, becoming an entrepreneur, is the modern-day equivalent of pioneering on the old frontier.” - Paula Nelson, American writer
• “I wanted to be an editor or a journalist, I wasn't really interested in being an entrepreneur, but I soon found I had to become an entrepreneur in order to keep my magazine going.” - Richard Branson, British businessman
• “Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States.” - Ronald Reagan, American President

It is interesting that Michael Gerber wrote, “Most entrepreneurs are merely technicians with an entrepreneurial seizure. Most entrepreneurs fail because you are working IN your business rather than ON your business.” Now, he has a new book called “Awakening the Entrepreneur Within.” I have ordered it, and will let you know more once I read it.

Other quotations with a twist:

• “My son is now an 'entrepreneur.' That's what you're called when you don't have a job.” - Ted Turner, American businessman
• “When I finished school, I took my entire life savings - $5,000 - and invested it in a business. I was young. I was inexperienced. But I was an entrepreneur, and I was proud. And in six weeks, I was broke.” - Mark Warner, American politician
• “Their idea was that competition would bring out the best in the entrepreneur and that the customer would benefit from that competition.” - Barbara Castle, British politician

I find the following two statements quite interesting and thoughts to which I can relate:

“There is a lot of interest in the arts, music, theatre, filmmaking, engineering, architecture and software design. I think we have now transitioned the modern-day version of the entrepreneur into the creative economy.” - John Baldacci, American politician

“The link between my experience as an entrepreneur and that of a politician is all in one word: freedom.” - Silvio Berlusconi, Italian statesman

Let me know what you think. Are you an entrepreneur?

Curious about Grades: Are They Necessary? Have They Affected You and Your Life and/or Career?

The definition of a grade is a letter, number, or other symbol indicating the relative quality of a student's work in a course, examination, or special assignment; mark.

How do you react to and/or handle being graded?

This was brought to my attention this past week. As most of you know, if you have been reading this blog in the past, I teach twelve group fitness classes a week. I received a phone call that I was going to be evaluated by the representative from the organization that sponsors one of the groups I teach.

Not remembering how picky this evaluator can be, I was excited because I am so proud of the progress this group of Seniors has made during the past year. They are terrific. We have fun while we are working hard. And, I want to clarify that I have spent a good bit of time keeping up with the latest fitness trends and discoveries, including those pertaining to Seniors.

I feel that we all want to receive good grades. I know that I do! When I read the evaluation and got to the total number grade, I was unhappy. Per usual, she looked for the small, perceived wrongs and was even critical about how hard everyone was working – too much cardio and resistance repetitions. I have rationalized that she was just doing her job and giving the company what they want.

I have even had evaluators tell me that they would like to give higher scores, but their companies would send them back, feeling they had been too lenient.

Back when my children were in school, we held PTA meetings to discuss whether or not grades were necessary. How do you feel about this? Would you have worked as hard if there weren’t grades? How important are they?

Let’s see what the experts have to say about grades:

• “I abhor grades - if a child does his best, that's all that should be asked.” - Richard Dawson, English actor
• “I was told that I had to give grades to the students, which I wasn't particularly interested in doing.” - Merce Cunningham, American dancer
• “What makes a child gifted and talented may not always be good grades in school, but a different way of looking at the world and learning.” - Chuck Grassley, American politician
• “I was not an outstanding student. I did a reasonable amount of work. I got generally good - pretty good grades, but I was not that passionate about getting straight A's.” - Steve Case, American businessman
• “Grades are almost completely relative, in effect ranking students relative to others in their class. Thus extra achievement by one student not only raises his position, but in effect lowers the position of others.” - James S. Coleman, American sociologist
• “I feel that education needs an overhaul - courses are obsolete and grades are on the way out.” - Kent McCord, American actor

We’ll add a bit of humor:

• “But there are advantages to being elected President. The day after I was elected, I had my high school grades classified Top Secret.” - Ronald Reagan, American President
• “I'd like to say I was smart enough to finish six grades in five years, but I think perhaps the teacher was just glad to get rid of me.” - Alan Shepard, American astronaut

I can really relate to the following quotation:

“You know, I went to Oberlin. At that time, grades were - you elected to have them or not. It was all of that era where grades were out the window. But I did very well in school. I didn't really study the arts; I practiced the arts.” - Julie Taymor, American director

Do send me your feedback. I would love to hear how you feel about grades – even later in life.