“If there is no wind, row.” Latin proverb. As we move into the last quarter of this year I wanted to focus on the concept of action. Over the years working with many clients, a number of them put off many actions, projects, plans, etc. into the last quarter of the year and then putting the pedal to the metal and charged ahead hoping to make up for a lack of progress or success from the previous three quarters. I have been a sailor and have previously used a few sailing examples. This one is timely as we are still in this uncertain period of the economy, business growth, customer challenges, and employees and employers re-defining the role and responsibility of employees. Trust me, when I am trying to get my boat into the slip and there is no wind hopefully I have some gas to use the engine otherwise, well – good luck. So, if you can’t find gas and there is no wind be sure and learn or teach your employees how to row.
“If you are afraid of your future, you don’t have a present.” J. Peterson. The single biggest contributor to stress is impatience and/or the need for control. Know a control freak? Take a minute and think about it – what can you control in your life? Do things you can’t control put you in a “life stall” mode! The future is an adventure whether you are on vacation, moving to a new location, starting a new job, or ending a relationship. The future is to be anticipated with optimism, not fear, hope, not dread, and positive anticipation not worry. As I look back over the many years of my life and my dreams, desires, plans, and hopes for the future, I had my share of disappointment and things that didn’t always play out the way I wanted them to. But in the end, I lived my life as best I could given the setbacks, missed opportunities, and yes even a few regrets along the way. So, to the popular saying – “it is what it is” – my additions are: “It has been what it has been and it will be what it will be!” Has all of your life turned out or turning out as you hoped, planned, dreamed, or desired? Regardless of the past – embrace the unknowns of what lies around the next corner and why? Because if each day – you are given a future – it is always a blank slate to create, dream, hope, plan and yes – act.
“It’s not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.” Hans Selye. For many years I have studied this important topic and its impact on; health, individual and organization performance, happiness, and success and the medical profession agrees: it is the single biggest contributor to all major illnesses and death. Are you letting the need for control or impatience shorten your life span or have a negative impact on its quality while you are still here?