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In the last few pages of Jordan Peterson’s excellent book, “12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos“, the clinical psychologist shares the questions that led him to write the book. In considering how to live his life, he started with this one:   “What is the greatest good I can do in the least amount of time?”   Then he extrapolated to ask, “What is the greatest good I can do TODay?” then “What is the greatest good I can do this year?” and finally “What is the greatest good I can do in my life?”   An hour isn’t much time. But if we thought, “What is the greatest good we can do in an hour?”   First, I think the greatest good is usually something we do for another, not for ourselves. But that’s not often the case: sometimes, the greatest good we can do for the world is to educate ourselves, or calm ourselves down, or arm ourselves to protect another. But the key to self-action in the name of “greatest good” is usually to consider the impact of our actions in this hour on everyone around us.   Second, I think the “greatest good” we can do for others is to create opportunity: to give them the strength, the education, the inspiration and motivation to do great things for more people. It’s a trickle-down effect: we live a healthy life, and that allows us to carry others. We live a wealthy life, and that allows us to support others when they’re financially weak. We live a happy life, and that allows us to buoy those who need it when they’re unhappy.   But that goodness is magnified when we help other people live a healthy life, a wealthy life or a happy life. This is the service necessary for self-actualization: the act, by us, that makes other people healthy, wealthy or happy. Maybe even two ...

Two months ago, I wrote about my friend Matt, the farmer.   Matt is ALL IN. He has another job to pay the bills, but he’s 100% farmer. Yesterday his wife texted me this picture:   It’s a baby calf. In their living room, in front of the fire, on their blankets.   I was raised among sheep farmers. Many times in March, an early lamb would be brought into my grandfather’s kitchen, placed in a cardboard box, and rest on the open oven door for warmth. The house smelled like hay and new wool. Baby lambs smell good.   Baby cows do NOT smell good.   When a calf is born in the cold of March, and her mom won’t take care of her, the farmer has three options:   He could let her die. He could lay on the ground beside her and share his own warmth. Or he could bring her into the house and lay her in front of the fire.   Obviously, Matt took the third option. My father and grandfather did the same.   Not many farmers would choose the first option. And NONE would take the second. But most gym owners do. I’ll explain:   When a member can’t afford their service, many gym owners will sacrifice their rate, and give them a discount. When a staff member needs to get paid, the gym owner will sacrifice their own pay, instead of admitting they just can’t afford the help. When a client has a favorite charity, or needs help, the gym owner will run a charitable event even when their gym isn’t making money.   Laying on the cold, frozen ground with a calf for a few minutes in an extreme situation to save its life? Maybe that’s understandable. At least until it warms enough to get it inside by the fire.   But laying on the ground until it learns to walk? ...