Finding A Workaround

We had a seminar at work based on Seeing Red Cars by Laura Goodrich, who also presented. It's based on the laws of attraction, where we tend to see more of what we're already focusing on (e.g., if you want or buy a red car, you tend to see a lot of them on the road).

She said that we should always have an "I Want" statement in our minds, which will focus our minds on finding it. We went around our little groups and said what our "I Want" statements were, and I heard things like, "I Want a promotion" or "I Want a raise." I spoke up with, "I Want to find a back door." There were some titters and giggles, and one person even asked if I meant a way to get out of the seminar. I clarified, "Every time we have a problem that we can't solve, we get defeated and it puts up a wall. I want to find the back door to a solution - there's always a back door."

This statement really helps me when I come to problems that seem to have no solution, but also when I am in groups where resistance is strong. There's always a back door - with problems and with people. You just need to find the key.

Fun

"There are things as satisfying as fun besides fun. Exhilarating and life-changing team effort experiences that are wildly fortifying despite not being 'fun.'"
                                        - Sarah Silverman

We often encounter things at work that aren't "fun" in the typical sense of the word. Working on a spreadsheet for four hours isn't our idea of "fun". But after we've done the work, we feel a sense of satisfaction that, in essence, has the same emotional feeling as fun. So revel in those times. Enjoy that you are a part of something great, and that you are making a difference to your company, even if it doesn't seem fun at the time. Be satisfied with your accomplishment, and celebrate it - even if it wasn't "fun".

The Virtue of a Short Memory

I was watching a little football on Monday night, and one of the Minnesota Vikings players made a mistake, then went right back out and covered in almost exactly the same way (minus the mistake). The announcers said the player had a "short memory" and commended him for not being afraid to make the play because of fear of failure.

So this got me to thinking: One of the big problems in corporate America is that we don't have short memories. We don't forget our mistakes, and we let them affect the fervor with which we approach similar tasks or projects. We fear failure to the point that we'd rather not try, often saying things like, "This will never happen because so-and-so won't approve it" or "This won't work because our technology isn't strong enough to support it."

Another aspect is our "coach". The Vikings player had the confidence to go out and make the same mistake because he knew his coach would have his back. Our supervisors and leadership should foster an environment where trying new things is lauded, not derided.

Let's use our elephant's memory in our corporate workspace to remember what professional athletes never forget: It's okay to make mistakes. Keep trying. Success will come.

Having a Bad Day?

Couple of things to remember when you're having a bad day:

1. Your current record of surviving bad days is 100% - you've got this.
2. When you're on your deathbed, do you think you'll remember the events of today? Will you think about whatever item seemed SO BIG today? Likely not - you'll be thinking about bigger events in your life, like your kids, your legacy, and how people will remember you. 

So try not to get too worked up over what may seem like a big deal and think about how you'll remember it in a day, a week, a month, a year - even a decade. 

You've got this.

Keeping work in perspective

So, you know how sometimes you have to eat something undesirable or even disgusting to keep your health (e.g., broccoli)? You know when you're eating it that you don't like it, it doesn't taste good, it is gross - but you still choke it down because the benefits on the other side (health) outweigh the negatives that might be incurred. Similarly, sometimes you may have a really bad day at work. But when you consider all the things that your job provides for: your house, your kids, your pets, your happiness in the "other" - being away from work, work may just be your broccoli that day. Perspective is great in these situations; work isn't always sunshine/lollipops, but it certainly contributes to the health and happiness of the rest of your life.

H