One
cannot be successful if he or she strives simply to maintain their position in
life rather than striving to grow. Employees
cannot do only what has been assigned – meeting only the minimum expectations -
if success and fulfillment are desired. A
relationship can survive but will rarely thrive unless someone is willing to put
the other’s needs first – having faith that an equal and opposite reaction will
fill their own needs to overflowing.
Spring
ushers new life into a previously frozen world but we rarely experience a
renewal of hope without first enduring the potential flooding that thaws and
rains may bring to our otherwise dry and predictable lives. In order to reach the possibilities that are
before us we must continually renew our own expectations by identifying and
nurturing our dreams of “what could be” rather than accepting and being content
within the complacency of “what is.” We
must fully accept that nothing is impossible if we are to re-imagine our lives –
that no obstacle or barrier can keep us from reaching our destination – UNLESS we
allow our own feelings of self-doubt (or importance) to get in our way. We must recognize that there are four factors
in life that can easily disrupt our journey – four self-defeating attitudes can
keep us from reaching our full potential.
In order to thrive we must learn to identify how these factors influence
our lives and look beyond the short-term satisfaction they may bring to
accomplish more than we may ever have imagined possible.
It is “human” to bask in the glory of our accomplishments and accept
“what is” as being “what will always be.” It is
an indicator of advancement when we recognize that all we have done is but the
beginning of what we have yet to do.
Getting a job and doing all that you were told was once the primary
factor in keeping a job for life. That
is no longer the simple solution within today’s world. An engineer or HR Professional will not survive
without updating his or her understanding of current systems or laws. A production worker probably cannot be blind
to automation and statistical process control techniques. No relationship can grow without seeking new
opportunities to share – new paths to explore – for without an overriding
destination our journey will stall and our opportunities slip through our
fingers. Individuals who refuse to know
anything other than what they have learned in the past typically fail to grow
as their experiences of “what once worked” will not prepare them for an unknown
future. When one stops learning they
tend to fade away and die.
One can survive by efficiently doing all they are asked or told to do
but he or she will never truly thrive unless their efforts exceed expectations
by producing results that are mutually beneficial to all involved. Growth results from the expansion of one’s experience
and capabilities rather than an effective utilization of their demonstrated
skills and abilities. We can efficiently express our thoughts and ideas by
using an e-mail
or texting someone but a conversation could more effectively resolve an issue
without extensive (and time consuming) “replies and clarifications.” Much can be learned by listening to tones,
inflections and observing mannerisms during a conversation that may never have
been considered when looking at “the written word.” A recent State Farm Insurance marketing campaign
demonstrates how different inflection can create a totally different meaning as
the owner of a car that was vandalized says “This cannot be happening to me!”
in misery and dis-belief while a daughter receiving a new car says the same
statement with enthusiasm and excitement.
The same can be said of our actions.
We can appear to be busy as we do the tasks that have been assigned by
stretching them out to fill the time we have OR we can act with a sense of
urgency to accomplish what is needed allowing us the time to seek what else could
be done. Individuals advance in all
aspects of their lives when they fully embrace the time they have been given to
achieve not only those things that need to be done but to also identify and
clarify those things that have yet to be accomplished while leveraging their
proven abilities to realize unexpected consequences.
An individual who believes they are irreplaceable
will probably never be replaced – NOR will they be given the opportunity to
grow. One cannot move forward unless
(and until) someone else can do what they alone have been able to accomplish in
the past. We cannot advance to the next level in our job, relationship
or anything else in life until we are willing to leave where we were comfortable
by climbing towards the next plateau – by leaving behind that which makes us
seem irreplaceable as we boldly move ahead to seize that which could provide us
with a new sense of relevance. If an individual bases their
importance on feeling that nobody could do what he or she does, that person has
unknowingly accepted a self-imposed limitation on his or her future growth (and
ultimate satisfaction). If nobody else
can do what you do – as well as you feel you can do it – then you never will
have the time to do anything other than what you have assumed as your singular
and indispensable role. Individuals who believe they are “critical” or
“singularly essential” within their limited and specialized role do not foster growth,
rather they reinforce stagnation, tend to accept mediocrity, and rarely rise
beyond their current level of accomplishment.
People who believe they know all the answers rarely
even know half of the right questions. Individuals that know how
(and what) to question are much more valuable than those who feel they know all
the answers. One must always be open to
new ideas, techniques, and ways of doing things in order to grow – and this
openness to consider other avenues or solutions does not come from isolationist
thinking or shutting out different ways of thinking about things. One can truly contribute to the growth,
health or potential of any situation ONLY after establishing that change is at
least wanted (even if not yet fully welcome), identifying and discussing the positives
(and limitations) of the current environment, recognizing the benefits and
ramifications of doing things differently before initiating intentional actions
to move the process forward. Imposing
such drastic change based on one’s personal knowledge, abilities or experiences
may be efficient but learning to ask the right questions that identify
concerns, objections and hesitancies (be they real or imagined) will help accomplish
lasting and positive change by engaging all involved in the development of an
effective solution.
