There is an allure about achievement...at least there is for me. I consider myself to be fairly driven in just about everything I do. Career, relationships, family, music, fitness, faith...it's full speed all the time.
It feels like I'm always pushing to meet the next milestone or deadline or goal. The "next" thing is always the most important...
The Time Is Now
Recently I've taken on a new perspective on...well...just about everything. Reaching for the "next best thing" doesn't seem to work out very often.
Sure, we need to be prepared, but being prepared at the expense of the people and world around us right now is a major miss.
Looking ahead...too far ahead...no longer makes sense.
Do I have long-term goals? Of course I do! Do I want to maximize my time here while I still have that fire in my belly? You bet I do!
But, do I want to look so far down the trail that I miss most of the things that are important today?
Hell, no.
Priorities
Somewhere between planning everything so tightly that I end up closing my mind to what's really important; and, not paying attention to today is where I'm going to land.
Showing empathy, appreciating the roller coaster ride that each day brings, and keeping those most important to me at the top of my priority list are really what matters most, right?
How About You
It's not really about balance...it's about focusing on your true priorities. Write them down, practice focusing on them, and deliver for those close to you, for your organization, and for yourself each day.
I'd love to hear from you.
No Excuses.
Inspiration
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I love the term face-plant. I should, I've recently become the undisputed master of face-planting. Sure, it's not the title I was hoping for...but, one must accept reality and deal with it.
Reality
That's where I have the most trouble...I don't do well with 'dealing with' face-plants, despite my apparent world-class ability to pull them off with unparalleled consistency. The unique skill that I have developed is that I only execute on said face-plants at the most inopportune times.
Yes, I can tell you're envious.
How can he be so effective one moment, and yet have the steely nerve to fall completely flat on his face the next? I wish I could explain it friends.
I REALLY wish I could explain it.
But, alas...
Pity Party
Of the various strategies I've attempted to overcome this massively annoying trait, the proverbial pity party has been a go-to for some time now.
And it's been a failure each time...as in..
every.
single.
time.
Thus, I'm heading down a new path. One that I hope will allow me to, as all great champions should, pass the torch of 'undisputed' along to the next unsuspecting soul who has no idea what is about to hit them.
The path you ask?
Reflection.
Self-examination.
Prayer.
How About You
What is the secret to removing this awful title? How have you battled your missteps and mistakes and come through better than ever?
I'd love to hear from you.
No Excuses.
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You're asked a question in a big meeting and your mind goes blank.
You completely forgot to follow up on an issue and the information is due in 5 minutes.
You realize you are in over your head with an assignment and have no idea where to turn...paralysis sets in...and your credibility begins to evaporate.
Keep Breathing
Now before you do something rash like quit your job because you don't think you'll be popular anymore and won't have any 'friends' at work consider these points:
- you're not going to die because you've hit a rough patch
- you actually can do the work if you remove some of that self-talk clutter from your mind and start attacking the issue one little step at a time
- you can reach out to your colleagues for help...that's what real colleagues do...they help each other
Now Focus
Once the wave of anxiety has washed over you...and you've decided that your entire career is over and there is no hope for you professionally...
...get your head back on straight and start building your plan.
What needs to be addressed immediately? Write it down. Map out the deadlines and the resources you'll need to get there.
Who can help you? Who also has a vested interest in this issue being executed successfully?
Find those people. Talk with them. Write everything down.
Breath Again
Think about how your mind has shifted. You have now documented a preliminary action plan, have connected with important internal resources to get the necessary results, and most importantly, are now back in charge.
This can not be overstated. Your mood will change. Your confidence level will change. And, by the way, the results will change dramatically from where you started.
Breath.
Focus.
Execute.
How About You
Is it going to be hard sometimes? Yes. Is it going to be embarrassing sometimes? Yes. Is it going to be worth it? Absolutely.
I'd love to hear from you.
No Excuses.
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...and I think I might be the biggest one.
Ouch.
Not Me
Sometimes I feel like I've mastered the art of identifying what is wrong with everybody else in the world. Corporate leaders, politicians, colleagues, companies, acquaintances, and on and on...
What the heck? Since when was I appointed King of the World?
Um, never.
So what is driving that occasional burst of energy that builds up inside and plays out as a rapid fire stream of negative self-talk?
Do I truly see how others are struggling?
Sometimes.
Do I also misinterpret what is happening because my lens is fixed so tightly?
Sometimes.
Do I need to learn to pause, and understand "why" something is happening before I react?
All the time.
Definitely Me
Pushing ourselves to not only be more humble and patient is one thing. Challenging ourselves to literally be a better person is a far different story. How we move from 'today' to our improved 'tomorrow' feels like a long process.
But there are steps we can take to get there. Focusing on a positive outlook (which I try hard to do); starting a journal to help us understand the 'why'; and...
...putting ourselves second. When it's always about ME...I can't focus on anyone else.
How About You
How do you ensure that 'you' don't get in the way of the people and circumstances you deal with each day? What works? What doesn't? It matters, right?
I'd love to hear from you.
No Excuses.
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"Despite everything you think you know"
Yeah, we're all geniuses now that we have cool job titles, right? We always know the best path forward.
Sure we do.
"You're ruled by a ruinous pack of lies"
How is it going...blindly following along whatever you are told?
Why?
"You are born to serve"
You do remember that you have power, right? You make a difference. You're not a corporate slave.
You're a leader.
"A one use battery"
Despite the notion that everyone is expendable, it's not true. Actually there are leaders who have the other leaders running to them for help.
"This is all we are"
In fact, we are so much more.
"Nothing to become"
Too late...we're already something special.
"Way past the point of no return"
Now is your time. Don't let the moment pass...don't let anyone stand in your way...go get it.
I'd love to hear from you.
No Excuses.
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inspiration
What was your first reaction when you read the title to this post?
"Thank you, may I have another?"
Did you "go negative" right away? Did you think I would be discussing HR leaders getting dumped on by their colleagues, the employees, and a long list of other ungrateful souls?
Wait Just A Second
How about we try this approach instead...
"Thank you, but I would prefer the high risk project"
"Thank you, however, I would like to take the lead on that new initiative"
"Thank you, but I would really like to be a part of that expansion project"
There is is huge difference between the "regular" HR folks who default to a "whoa-is-me" professional existence...and then there are those that...
...well, they go for it!
They don't fall into the trap of hubris, excuses and arrogance.
They don't chase glory and extra squares on their org chart.
They don't wait until every plan is so perfect, that it is actually too late to execute (if they know how to execute at all.)
Old HR is Dead...Welcome to the New World
I don't always get it right in my work. I also make mistakes...regularly. But I can honestly tell you this my friends...
I am not afraid to do what's right.
I am not afraid to stand up to the bullies.
I am not afraid of the nay-sayers who are living in their self-indulgent arrogant past.
It is 2018. It's time to be more than you ever thought possible!
It's time to go for it!
How About You
Who are the weak links in your world that are living in the past? Perhaps it's time to stop giving them any airtime, and simply push your organization to the next level? They wouldn't understand how to lead the way, so why waste precious company resources on old school slow-movers?
Go for it friends. Today!
I'd love to hear from you.
No Excuses.
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"I'm not good enough."
"I'm not going to get that new job."
"I really messed up that relationship."
"It's my own fault...I just can't handle all this pressure."
"I'll never have an opportunity to get ahead here."
Our Mind: Friend or Foe?
The often discussed - and even more frequently "heard" - minds of ours can be so powerful that we sometimes get lost, literally, in them.
I try to use my self-talk machine to help me stay positive, fired up for each new day, and to keep moving forward. I'm obsessed with constant motion.
However, that does not mean that those voices in my head don't do their best to derail me and turn me into a quivering mass of jello.
Self-talk is powerful.
No, We Aren't Supposed to Suffer
For some reason when we stumble, the thought comes into our heads that we must be punished. Why is that?
Guilt?
Sadness?
Resentment?
Disappointment?
Embarrassment?
It doesn't make any sense. Yet, I completely understand why someone might feel that way...because I have felt that way too.
What is it about "not being perfect every time" that makes us think we need to experience emotional pain or stress?
Have we set such unrealistic expectations of ourselves that each mistake or wrong decision must be punished?
Whoa! That is a lot of pressure!
How About You
How do you handle setbacks or disappointments, particularly when you have contributed to them?
Does your mind kick in to overdrive and begin the attack on...you; or, have you developed a way to sidestep that very human reaction, and follow a different path?
I'd love to hear from you.
No Excuses.
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