WHAT APPEARS TO BE
‘Tis the season to be jolly – right?
Imagine working for a company that is facing severe pressure. A massive re-organization looms. Your workload requires a 25-hour day. And each evening you rest your head on the pillow wondering if you’ll have a job tomorrow.
Some people reading this do not have to imagine. This is their reality. In this situation, what becomes the priority?
WHAT MIGHT BE
What’s inside of you? If you squeeze an orange you get orange juice. When being squeezed, what does the world get from you? Under similar pressure to what’s described above, I have succumbed; I have allowed the circumstances in my life to become bigger than me. I lost my grip.
What the world – my colleagues and family – squeezed from me was anger, sadness, fear, and a victim mentality.
WHAT CAN BE
It is impossible to create greater results for myself (let alone the organization) while emotionally upset. In such a state we usually sabotage our future.
While it can be difficult to achieve, it is imperative that we regain control, that we get a grip on our lives so we can influence our future. Here are four steps to gaining control:
- Regularly assess your focus. Are your thoughts serving or hurting you?
- Identify three leadership qualities that will guide you. Live these qualities in every interaction you have.
- Create and ask yourself questions to activate your ability to deliver your chosen qualities.
- Identify the reason why it is important for you to be strong – to have a grip – during this time.
This much is true: This is your time. You’re not obligated to put the “Happy” in “Happy Holidays”. However, perhaps it is the most important gift we can give ourselves.
What is the difference between what “might be” and what “can be”? You decide.
