Happy Sunday Everyone:
Was thinking yesterday about a few lessons that hit me this week. Lessons where I’d be served well to remember them and not let them be wasted by never thinking of them again. Nothing new here, just reminders, and perspective.
Lesson 1: I was talking to our CRO earlier in the week. We were discussing some challenges that needed fixing. I wasn’t complaining but he might have heard a little frustration in my voice. He simply said, “we’re in the business of solving problems”. It hasn’t left my head since he said it. Our value to a large degree has to do with our ability to solve problems. To be annoyed when a problem comes my way vs. thinking this is a key element to my job, is counterproductive. Not suggesting I’m always annoyed when a problem comes my way, but the intentionality and mindset to be solution focused, or conflict resolution focused is heightened when I consider the concept of being more or less useful based on my ability to solve problems. A very important side note is to ask yourself the question as to whether or not you’re creating the problem that someone else is solving. If you find yourself in this situation do your best to learn from it and not repeat.
Lesson 2: Perhaps it was the problem solving that had me short this week (joking), but I was venting to Kim about a couple of different relationships I’m struggling with. I get annoyed, I get short, I stew on it and then I use Kim as the receiver of my frustrations, she loves the role. Kim being the thermostat in our relationship kindly reminded me I can’t control the other person, I can only control my response, and the energy I put toward them. If you don’t think i realize how rudimentary this sounds, I know, but I still struggle with it. If you don’t, more power to you. I’ll test you though, consider this week how much you allow someone else to affect your joy meter. If it starts slipping, I hope I pop in your head with a “you’re allowing someone else to change your mood”.
Lesson 3: I ran a little further than normal yesterday to atone for my sins of Friday Night. I hated being out there. I felt like crap, I considered walking (I didn’t). As I’m huffing and puffing down the street my neighbor drove by me with his young son in the car and waived. He was a wearing a mask, he’s doing chemo treatments to battle the cancer he’s fighting, and his immune system is shot. In an instant, I went from misery of my run to self-awareness of the situation, followed by a personal reality check of my blessings. No joy should be found by comparing my situation to someone else’s, but it’s also incredibly selfish to not appreciate what I have, including my health. I found myself driving yesterday afternoon literally counting my blessings, it was amazing.
Heading into this week I’m thinking about these three lessons, very simple but very appropriate for me. I’m finding myself in a good headspace. If I can show up thinking I have the opportunity to solve problems this week, If I can show thinking I’m not put in this world to judge others or be influenced by their behavior, but I can certainly control mine, and If I can remember how fortunate I am to be here by counting the blessings I normally take for granted, well I might just have a better week than last week…and we shall see where it goes from there.
I hope you have an amazing week ahead!