BOUNDARY OR BARRIER

What forms a boundary for you? Is it your life experience? Things you did (or did not do) as a child? Your respect and reverence for the past – for the way things have always been? Perhaps you find comfort in predictability – or find your actions driven by the fear that would accompany a new and unknown path. Far too many people live within the comfort of their “known worlds,” excusing their inability to reach beyond that security by claiming satisfaction with “the way things are.” Do you live inside of your boundaries – safe from all those that are different from you – or do you seek to experience life as it could be by wandering “outside?”

We sometimes steep ourselves in heritage, immerse ourselves in history and surround ourselves with the accomplishments of those who came before us – but this comfort often comes at the expense of people and things not yet imagined. What new realities might we discover if we intentionally stretched our boundaries by stepping out of our defined limitations – if we turned from what we were (or even what we have become) towards what has yet to materialize? We do not need to explode the walls that surround us to experience change but we do need to open the windows and doors wide enough to escape the room that restricts our actions. We do not need to destroy the bridge that spans our moats but we should keep it operational!

People should cherish tradition yet continually seek new and better ways to do things (that may become someone else’s tradition in the future) if they are to move beyond what they are to become all they could be. How can we inject fresh perspective into the things we do, the thoughts we think, and the way that we approach our future? We must determine the course that sets our direction – that defines the ultimate destination to which our paths lead – by considering those that came before us while bringing to fruition the reality that sets the stage for those who will follow.

Tradition can be the basis for action taken but should never become a destination in and of itself. Far too many individuals mask their hesitation to advance beyond their present reality – or to even face the reality of their present situation – by hiding within the richness of their traditions. Holding on to the past is not necessarily a bad thing. When holding on becomes holding back, however – when retaining traditions and deep cultural heritage becomes the goal rather than the historical perspective – we keep ourselves from moving towards what “could be” by hiding ourselves within the comfort of “what was.”

Paying attention to lessons learned in the past helps pave a smoother course towards the future. We must understand why things were done and actions taken before we can leverage their results into our yet to be realized accomplishments. Individuals must know the basics before they can be refined and enhanced. They must understand “why” things work the way they do (basic math facts proceed the use of a calculator, spelling skills proceed the use of a word processor with spell check, motivational techniques that work for themselves prior to being able to lead or motivate others, etc.) before they can be expanded into new and meaningful experiences. (We should not, however, focus so much on the “what” and the “how” that we fail to apply our discoveries to the resolution of new and different opportunities.)

One must continually give in order to gain. While knowing we often receive back much more than we give, such a return should be a bonus rather than an expectation. We should, however, give more than we ever imagined possible when asking for more than we thought might be attained if seeking to step beyond the boundaries of a defined past into the unlimited world of future possibilities. Our pride may originate in our heritage – from the accomplishments of those coming before us. The greatest possibilities that have yet to be accomplished in our lives, however, arise from expanding our sense of past into an unlimited tomorrow by applying the lessons we have learned from every action we have taken towards the resolution of problems not yet defined. Only when we begin to realize our potential will we be able to live out the pages of a book not yet written – to bring to fruition all those things not yet imagined.

FACING CHANGE - LET GO OF THE PAST BUT HOLD ON TO YOUR DREAMS

The worst parts of letting go of something with which you have become familiar are watching it pass through your fingers and worrying about whether it will ever return. When something that has become more important to your life than the very air you breathe floats away upon the wind – dancing just out of reach but never out of mind – you need to work relentlessly to retrieve it or seek intentionally to replace it. Regardless of how much you try to rationalize that what once was may never be again – that perhaps it should never have been in the first place – does not fill the emptiness growing within your heart when that which was is no more. Life drifts freely through the meadows of your soul seeking a return to its comfortable past when what you had slips through your hands – yet such a return is often an improbable dream.

Until you let something go – knowing that you will never again experience the stability it provided nor the comfort you found within the place you had found – you will never understand the emptiness that comes from letting go of a dream. Hope will remain, however, within the heart of a visionary soul. The emptiness that engulfs an individual when separated from a dream – or from a present reality – allows for the celebration of moments when reunited. When Hope is gone, life takes on the deathly pallor of a spirit drifting aimlessly with the wind. Without Dreams, reality can become a millstone holding you down – a weight keeping you from realizing your potential or moving towards the accomplishment of unfulfilled goals.

When you must move on – which is a reality we all face within this life (whether it be personally or professionally) – we must look to where we are going rather than dwell upon where we have been. We must seek new horizons rather than finding comfort in the dark of our past. We must embrace change as an opportunity to excel rather than seeing it as a blockade that makes our “comfortable path” impassable. Though a job change may not be what we wanted, accept the opportunity that “downsizing” presents should it come. One should retire “to” something rather than “away” from it – never running away from what you have but rather reaching for that which has not yet materialized. An empty nest should be filled with freedoms rather than with the knowledge that something “that was” will be no more. Life “as it was” should become a springboard into the future rather than a place to hide from “what could be”.

Whether they be voluntary or out of necessity, life provides us with many opportunities to create new realities. Accepting these challenges as inevitable – recognizing that the only constant in life is change – will allow us to let go of “what was” in order to grasp “what will be.” Until you are able to truly take control of your destiny by walking from what was in order to run towards what has yet to be – your past that will control your life and you will never reach the dream that holds your future reality. Let go (of your past) as you hold on (to your dreams) so you can reach out towards a future that has yet to be realized.

SEEKING UNLIMITED HORIZONS

When you think about “new horizons,” where does your mind wander? Far too many individuals think about tomorrow as being their “distant future,” with far too much reliance upon “what is” than faith in “what could be.” People tend to predict their next steps based upon those they just completed rather than seeking destinations not yet considered. When we react and respond with measured predictability we will rarely find ourselves surprised by where we have wandered nor unfamiliar with where we have gone. When we travel upon familiar roads, we rarely arrive at unexpected destinations – regardless of the good intentions that may have guided our journey.

Speaking of travel, when we travel with others, we tend to rely upon the comfort they provide – the sense of acceptance that comes from walking beside those we know and that know us. When those that we love travel with us, however, there is often no one to go home to when our travels end – nobody to hear of our adventures or feel the passion of our words as we retell our stories. We may share new horizons with others as we travel with them but far too often slip back into our regular routine if we do not recount our discoveries with those we return to – those that welcome us home.

When our horizons are but projections of our experiences we tend to live where we are rather than where we could be. We look behind us intently to avoid returning to where we were BUT fail to look ahead to see where we might be able to go. We tend to find comfort in where we are when we feel we “have arrived” after tasting success – see it as “an end” or a reward for our efforts – rather than viewing it as a new beginning from which we might start a new adventure.

Our horizons can be limitless ONLY when we look beyond our present circumstances to opportunities that may not yet have materialized – when we open our eyes to see what we might be able to accomplish rather than basking in our past glories. There are rarely guideposts along the way to tell us we are moving in the right direction when we enter uncharted waters – only the faith we have in our instincts and the hope we hold that any forward progress is better than standing still. Think beyond tomorrow in whatever you say and do – for tomorrow is but one day removed from yesterday and living within the comfort of our past will do nothing but shelter us from the successes our new horizons can hold.

TAKING STOCK THIS MEMORIAL DAY

There are those who see the ocean, feel its strength; sense its power, long for its depth – without considering that its essence is but water having no substance and holding no form until contained.

There are those who see a forest, feel its quiet depths and long for its seclusion – without considering that it is but a group of branches reaching upwards – heartless living objects unable provide comfort.

There are those who experience the wind, sense its movement and long to join in its journey – without acknowledging that though the wind can be measured, it cannot be seen nor held in your hand.

There are those that show sadness at the passing of seasons – not because of what they were unable to accomplish but rather for the realization that time passed will never again be.

There are those that envy a bird in flight – not because of their inability to fly but rather the freedom available to a soaring bird within the limitless horizon is out of our individual reach.

They are intrigued by a coming storm – not fearing its destructive nature but rather seeking examples of the power that cannot be contained.

Until we acknowledge that life is more than one’s own accomplishments – more than a listing of individual actions focused upon a common goal or objective – we may never experience the strength of an ocean. The comfort of a forest may remain a mystery. The power of the wind may be captured as an energy source but its essence will elude us. The flight of a bird will be but an exit from here to there rather than as an escape to not yet discovered opportunities.

We must realize that our infinite dreams are the result of our finite experiences –that without fully experiencing life we may not have dreams that we can hope to fulfill. It has been said, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste” yet perhaps more terrible is the number of minds that do not establish goals nor engage in their accomplishment.

Take time to experience the world around you as you enjoy this Memorial Day weekend. Dwell not upon what has been lost through the passing of time, focusing instead on what has yet to be realized – upon what we have (or may yet receive) because of another’s sacrifice. Life is not measured by the number of breathes we take. The true measure of life is how many experiences we can find - can live - that will take our breath away.

INTENTIONAL ACTIONS MOVE US FROM WHAT IS PROBABLE TO WHAT IS POSSIBLE

In living life, there are two paths we can take – the one less travelled or the one well defined. We can choose to follow the crowd and do what others want and expect us to do OR we can forge our own way to find what lies beyond the horizon. We can care about others or we can care about ourselves. We can acknowledge the efforts put forth by others or we can assume their results as our own. We can choose to make possible all things but unless we establish a destination before beginning our journey, how can we hope to differentiate between what is possible, impossible, or extremely tough to accomplish?

How can we move beyond “safe” when we seem always to take the easy path? When we choose to live safely within our four walls, our immediate surroundings, or our familiar environment how can we ever move from our present reality? Until we risk more than others think is safe, how can we expect to accomplish more than others think possible? We tend to get from life no more than we expect. We may not be seen as failing if we choose not to set specific goals BUT how can we realize success without first determining what we wish to accomplish? How will you know when you have arrived if you never thought about where you are going? How can you expect to succeed if you choose not to expect anything at all?

What wisdom is there in caring for ourselves when others have needs that are much more serious? We should not eliminate their shortfalls or shortcomings without expecting some sort of personal involvement, however. Is it not wise to teach others how to care for themselves so that we will not have to care for them forever? What greater gift can we give another than self-sufficiency?

How can we move beyond our present reality without first considering what is probable as we move towards what has not yet been proven possible? Life is practical – filled with actions that result in reactions and causes that bring effects. Replace the hollow satisfaction we tend to feel when chasing after (and bringing to fruition) the wishes of another with the fulfillment that comes from realizing our own dreams.

Unless we act intentionally, how can we expect to accomplish anything at all – let alone more than anyone might think possible? What might YOU do differently if released from the chains of propriety or the boundaries created by other’s expectations? What dream have you shut down – closed the door upon – because it interfered with your sense of reality? Let me know in your comments to this BLOG!

FULFILLING LIFE’S POTENTIAL

Life is not for the weak of spirit or faint of heart. Anyone truly making a difference in this world must often place “what is right for others” far in front of any thoughts or considerations about “what is right for him- or herself.” While anyone can go through the motions of life, reacting and responding to those things that appear as roadblocks on their otherwise clear path, I have noticed several characteristics impactful individuals tend to exhibit that their “sufficient” counterparts fail to demonstrate. These traits would include:

1. An acknowledgment that, as individuals, we can do whatever we want – often whenever we want – but that each action we take results in an equal and opposite reaction. Sometimes, what we want to do – particularly if it is a bit self-serving – may not the best possible alternative. Individuals that make a difference in this life clearly and concisely identify the impact of each decision they make then take action that ultimately results in the most favorable reaction – and have several alternative courses of action ready should this initial decision be ineffective.

2. Some decisions in life require absolute and immediate action while others leave room to choose “best options” (as opposed to “the option”). Successful individuals know the difference between the two – and are able to identify which hill they should defend to the death and which they should simply take a stand but retreat if necessary. Making a mountain out of every molehill may cause someone to push you over the edge – knowing when to recommend and when to insist is a common characteristic shared by great individuals.

3. Live the philosophy that “much can be accomplished if one does not care who gets the credit.” Successful individuals tend to work with and through others – gaining satisfaction from the accomplishments of others rather than seeking recognition and acknowledgement for their own thoughts, actions or accomplishments. When we become so tied up tracking who is doing what so that we can assign proper credit for everything that is done we may end up taking more time managing outcomes and orchestrating the results than performing the actions necessary to make things happen in a manner that benefits the whole.

4. Few respected individuals make decisions based only on what is best for themselves or their own future. Tough decisions having significant impact upon the greatest number of people (or communities) are the rule – and security or self-preservation is rarely but a secondary factor.

5. Little we can say will cause others to respect and trust us. Actions shout while words but whisper. What you do is a greater indicator of who you are than anything you may be able to express in words. If you do not “do what you say and say what you do,” you will probably never completely fulfill your potential nor have significant or lasting influence on others.

Living life is a blend of coaching, mentoring, planning, anticipating, acting, resolving, complying and holding firm to our convictions. Education is helpful but one must experience “life lessons” to gain enough knowledge and experience to advance and contribute. Life is NOT for cowards – nor is it for “people who like to do as little as possible to get by with the least possible trouble or conflict along the way. Those who make a difference in life recognize “what is” as they move towards “what could be” ONLY AFTER considering “what has been” and examine “what has worked (and what has failed) in the past.” They force themselves to take two steps forward for every one they slip back – knowing that it is not what they have nor what they have done that makes a difference, but rather what they have yet to do and have not yet accomplished.

KEEPING EMPLOYEES HAPPY (AND ENGAGED)

Recent studies have found employee dissatisfaction to be at an all-time high. It makes sense that employees who cannot “leave” a situation might be unhappy – feeling trapped within their circumstances. When we have an inordinate number of good jobs available to competent, reliable workers, however, the prevailing sense of dissatisfaction makes no sense. Surprisingly, a competitive pay package is NOT one of the most critical reasons employees stay with an organization – but a well-defined program that establishes internal equity IS a key factor in employee retention. There are, however, several essential factors to consider when developing a fair and equitable structure with which to compensate employees. These factors would include:

1) Internal equity is much more important than external competitiveness when it comes to creating a satisfied workforce. Some of the best organizations often pay employees slightly below market averages BUT they are consistent and intentional with this philosophy. They communicate their compensation philosophy openly, being transparent in their intent to provide a “fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. Dissatisfaction (causing high turnover, negative employee relations and difficulty in hiring new employees) almost always results when one group of employees is paid differently in relation to market than another.
2) Strong merit pay systems tend to attract and retain high performers (and over-achievers) while tenure-based systems tend to attract risk-averse employees and provide a safe harbor for mediocre employees. When expectations are communicated to employees (potentially linking additional pay and/or bonus to the accomplishment of goals), employees willing and able to go the extra mile will step forward. Systems that pay all individuals equally, regardless of their result, tend to equalize abilities as well as pay – often to the lowest (rather than the highest) common denominator.
3) Organizations without an objective means to establish a job’s value or worth tend to pay employees more based on who they are (or who they know) than what they contribute. Whenever employers make pay decisions based on who is in the job rather than on what the job does for the organization and how well (or poorly) the job is done, favoritism and inequity (whether real or imagined) can begin to destroy internal employee relations.
4) Consistency is more important than accuracy. When employees see that policies are inconsistently applied they become more a part of the problem than they are a solution. It is important to tell employees what you are going to do and how you are going to work with them – then to do what you say. NEVER say one thing and do another or treat one employee differently than another or you will find that your credibility has been diminished and your effectiveness as a leader destroyed.
5) Communication is the cornerstone of a strong organization. How can employees contribute to the growth of an organization unless they know where the organization wants to go – what it ultimately wants to be? Unless employees know and believe that anything is possible they will never move past “what is” towards “what has not yet been realized.” Engaging employees is more that telling them what to do – it involves identifying how each individual communicates then altering your approach WITHOUT changing or compromising your expectations.
6) Compensation Administration IS NOT a static science. Pay ranges should be updated regularly pay rates adjusted reflect changing market conditions. Pay should be adjusted regularly based on an organization’s ability to pay AND the work that is actually being done. Seek employee input when updating job duties. Utilize reliable sources when establishing competitive pay rates. Reward employee performance in a way that encourages desired behavior while discouraging destructive behavior. Make sure that all employees know that “life is not equal – it is equitable” with what one receives directly proportional to what one contributes.

When employees seeking responsibility, autonomy and advancement find their efforts are not appreciated they often seek “greener pastures” in which to feed. The way people interact with peers, the way they are treated by management, and their overall satisfaction (and engagement) with the job are far more critical than pay (and/or benefits) in regards to employee retention.