Here in the USA, we are headed back to school. Some states have already started, and others are beginning shortly. This is a time for all of us to pause and understand that learning is not limited to certain months of a year or certain years of our lives. Learning is a lifelong commitment and endeavor to better ourselves for the good of society.
In a world where we are bombarded moment by moment by any number of potential distractions, we owe it to ourselves to build the muscle of focus. That skill to narrow in on what is happening around us and find the key or critical elements to focus on that most contribute to our best result.
Our society has many opportunities to redirect an undesirable outcome to someone else rather quickly, even before the facts and truth are looked at completely. This movement of accountability to someone else for undesirable performance is just another way to get the attention off us and onto another so individually we can hide. Authentic accountability starts with each of us. Standing up and taking full responsibility for each and all of our actions even when they have contributed to a less than desirable outcome.
In the business world when we hear return on investment or ROI we tend to think strictly in the form of money or finances. The reality is that we invest into our lives not only with financial resources. We invest with our emotions, intellect, and spiritually. Each of these also needs a return on investment to satisfy our human existence. Give yourself the privilege to capture a return on your emotions, intellect and spiritual needs in your work and play.
The phrase “Nothing to fear but fear itself” dates back to 1930 but is still true today. When fear sets into a person any external stimulus can evoke a level of uncertainty or even panic. Our world is hyper stimulated and causes many to be fearful of what is the next thing to change or disrupt our desired calm environment. Fear can also be a constructive stimulus to cause one to finally move from a state of pause to a state of action. Don’t let fear rule your world but use it to build a better one.
If you have had the pleasure of making your own S’more at the campfire, then you are fully aware of the joy of the smells and tastes this culinary treat offers. Sandwiched between graham crackers are the sweets of chocolate and marshmallow. This summer is also a great time to make business S’mores by sandwiching fun times between work activities. The benefit to your culture will see better engagement when the team is given the privilege to play a little between making your clients/customers happy.
Every business owner is challenged with the lack of people to fill roles in their organization. Some might want to point blame on any number of factors. The reality is that there is no shame in working for a living. Taking pride in accomplishment and contribution validates self-worth and confidence. As leaders we are all responsible for pulling each other up and not pushing each other down.
In this time in history where so many people are self-absorbed, we need to pause and take time to gather real insights into ourselves. We need to then determine how we can use these key understandings to make ourselves more available to others so to better those around us as well as ourselves. Take being self-absorbed and radiate it out to help others be more than they currently are.
On this special day, take a moment to remember a key person in your life that has continuously influenced the person you are and growing into. I honor my father for giving fully of himself to our family in ways which I never truly appreciated until later in life. His commitment to silently and patiently being present in all situations is profound in many aspects of my life.
