This week's PAUSE article from Patricia Katz:
'REFLECTION:
I'm a big fan of Marshall Goldsmith and his thinking about human behaviour and leadership. And so it was no surprise that his brief article in the November 2008 Harvard Management Update caught my eye.
The article focuses on a common roadblock to advancing change in our lives.
Goldman refers to it as a fantasy held tightly by good people with great intentions. The fantasy delusion reads something like this: "I'm desperately busy at the moment. My life is out of control. My challenges are unique. The situation is temporary. Once the worst of it is over, THEN I'll get started on X."
Does this script play in your life? I know it makes guest appearances in mine.
Goldman's take on the situation, is that there will always be challenges, busyness, and crazy pressure. This means that the perfect time for diving in is unlikely to be just around the corner - once we're caught up, as things settle down, or when we get to the end of the list. The chances that someone is going to gift us with a couple of free weeks to tackle X are slim to non-existent.
So, the critical question becomes, 'In the midst of the muddle, despite the busyness and distractions, what am I willing to change now?'
ACTION:
Take a look at one of the items on your back burners, lingering there in hopes that this perfect storm will soon subside.
Ask yourself the question: What am I willing to change now?
Act accordingly - one small action - one first step.
Let the storm continue to swirl around your feet as you step forward in a new direction.'
_________________________
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
"Accept the craziness of your life. Do what you can do now. Let go of everything else." - Marshall Goldman
_________________________
>From the e-zine, 'PAUSE '. Copyright 2008 Patricia Katz,
Optimus Consulting. (877) 728-5289 or www.pauseworks.com.
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You read Harvard Management Update?? Wow! I'm really climbing up the social ladder! :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, though.
Keep in mind that man is a creature of habit. So the prospect of changing something in one's own life has that going against it right from the start.
One hurdle that I find difficult is that, once I've become accustomed to the idea of the change I want to make, then I have to get my wife/family/friends onboard with the idea, too.
I guess what it comes down to is - how bad do you want to reach your goal? If you want something bad enough, you'll find a way to get it.
Sorry to mislead you Mr Bill, I was quoting Patricia Katz' article. I'm normal like you and don't read the Harvard Mgmt Update, although maybe we should!
ReplyDeleteSounds like there's some deep thinking in there. You're right, it comes down to common sense, if you want to do it badly enough, you'll find the time.