人生不设限·建立我的“力克爷爷”法则

Not all opportunities are equal. At the beginning of this chapter, I wrote about embracing my first movie role, after turning down that earlier offer.

看了《蝴蝶马戏团》你就会知道，威尔——我所饰演的角色——一开始并不是个鼓舞人心的家伙。事实上，因为心里有很深的怨恨和绝望，他其实有点讨人厌。但我之所以接演这个角色，是因为威尔经历一个转变过程，克服了他的痛苦和怨恨。就像身上长满剌毛的毛毛虫蜕变成飞舞的蝴蝶一样，威尔慢慢褪去他的怀疑和不信任，成为一个自重、充满爱且激励人心的人。

Now if you watch The Butterfly Circus, you will see that Will, my character, at the beginning of the movie isn't exactly an inspiring bloke. In fact, he's a bit repulsive because of the bitterness and despair he harbors in his heart. But I accepted this role because Will undergoes a transformation and overcomes his misery and resentment. Like a prickly caterpillar who transforms into a soaring butterfly, Will slowly sheds his suspicions and distrust and becomes a redeemed, loving, and inspiring person.

这就是我希望世人认识的我。那你希望人们怎么认识你呢?在前面几章，我们讨论到拥有目标的重要性，当机会来临，或是你为自己创造了机会时，你必须自问：“这合乎我的人生目的和价值观吗?”

That's how I want to be known on this planet. How do you want to be known? In earlier chapters, we looked at the importance of having a purpose. When offers and breaks come your way, or when you create them for yourself, you must always ask yourself, Does this match up with my purpose and my values?

怎样才算好机会呢?能够带领你更靠近梦想的，就是好机会。当然也有其他类型的机会，例如朋友约你出去玩儿，然后浪费了一整晚;或者你跑去打电动，而不是为工作上的会议作准备;或是读某一本书加强技能。你作的选择决定了你会过什么样的人生。

What qualifies as a good opportunity? Anything that takes you another step closer to your dream. There are other types, of course. Perhaps your friends invited you to go out and get wasted last night. Or maybe you played video games instead of preparing for a meeting at work or reading a book to sharpen your skills. The choices you make determine the quality of the life you lead.

多思考一些，为如何使用时间和精力建立更严谨的评估标准。不要单凭当下的美好感觉作选择，而是要用你的价值观和原则来衡量，思考怎么做对实现自己的终极目标最有帮助。我用的是“力克爷爷”法则：我的孙子是会为我这个决定感到骄傲，还是觉得他们的爷爷根本就是未老先衰、脑袋有问题?

Be thoughtful. Develop high standards and strict criteria for evaluating how you invest your time and energy. Base your choices not on what feels good in the moment but on what best serves your ultimate goals. Measure them according to your values and principles. I use the Grandpa Nick rule: Will my grandkids be proud of this decision, or will they think their grandpappy was senile before his time?

如果你需要建立一套正式、严谨的程序来评估各种机会，就在电脑前面坐下来，或者拿出纸笔，制作一份“评估工作表”。针对每个机会，写下它的正面和反面，然后评估每个正反面之处与你的价值观、原则和人生目标吻合的程度。然后试着想象一下，如果你穿过那道门，会发生些什么?如果你把它关上，又会如何?

If you need to create a disciplined, formal process for assessing opportunities, sit down at your computer or with a pen and paper and create an Assessment Worksheet. For every opportunity that comes your way, write down the pros and cons and evaluate how each measures up to the values, principles, and goals you've chosen for your life. Then try to envision what will happen if you walk through the door, and what will happen if you close it instead.

假如你还是很难作决定，就带着评估工作表去找你所信赖的良师益友，或是找看好你、希望你成功的朋友，跟他们讨论正反观点，听听他们的意见。你要敞开心胸，但也要知道最后该负责任的是你自己。这是你的人生，你的决定会让你获得回报或付出代价。所以，请作出明智的抉择。

If you still have trouble making a decision, take your worksheet to a trusted mentor, or a friend who believes in you and wants you to succeed. Talk through the pros and cons with them, and listen to their evaluation. Be open-minded, but also know that the responsibility is all yours. It's your life. You will reap the rewards or pay the price for your own decisions, so choose wisely.