Continual Becoming!
01/06/03
George Bernard Shaw once wrote: "I dread success. To have succeeded is to have finished one's business on earth, like the male spider, who is killed by the female the moment he has succeeded in his courtship. I like a state of continual becoming, with a goal in front and not behind."
Every New Year brings with it the pressure to make new resolutions. That pressure speaks to the value of new goals in our never-ending challenge of reinventing the future for ourselves and the firms we lead. In this age of turmoil, leaders must possess the competency to sustain high performance and team morale through a state of constant change. Leaders walk that line between valuing the past while remaining ever open to what the future can bring. Like Shaw, we thrive best when we embrace the change journey as a never-ending opportunity. The best leaders don't just talk about the growth and development of their people; they model it in their own lives on and off the job. Realizing the challenges you and your people face in this new year, get ready to enjoy the adventure of another year of frustration, victories, sales, setbacks, and the growth and joy such a journey can create in the hearts and minds of your team. Yes, there will be stress, but the absence of stress is death. I prefer stress--the agony of defeat, the thrill of victory, and the satisfaction of making a difference with people I value. So keep that female spider away for another year. Bring on the challenges of 2003!
MONDAY'S MIRTHFUL MOMENT
Jack Handey via Dr. Ann Weeks (Weeks of Fun #297) provides this week's mirthful moment--An actual newspaper contest where entrants age 4 to 15 were asked to imitate "Deep Thoughts." Enjoy the results:
"I believe you should live each day as if it is your last, which is why I don't have any clean laundry because, come on, who wants to wash clothes on the last day of their life?" -- Age 15
"Give me the strength to change the things I can, the grace to accept the things I cannot, and a great big bag of money." -- Age 1
"For centuries, people thought the moon was made of green cheese. Then the astronauts found that the moon is really a big hard rock. That's what happens to cheese when you leave it out." -- Age 6
"As you make your way through this hectic world of ours, set aside a few minutes each day. At the end of the year, you'll have a couple of days saved up." -- Age 7
"Often, when I am reading a good book, I stop and thank my teacher. That is, I used to, until she got an unlisted number." -- Age 15
"If we could just get everyone to close their eyes and visualize world peace for an hour, imagine how serene and quiet it would be until the looting started." -- Age 15
When you keep your eyes open for mirth, you just may find it! Hope this kicks off your morning and helps get your mood adjusted for the week. Now, get busy MAKING CHANGE WORK and have some fun along the way!...