Ecstasy and Laundry!
05/12/03
There is a Zen saying that I just have to share, "After ecstasy-the laundry."
After seeing this quote on a painting at a retreat center, I laughed alone. That somehow seems appropriate for a Zen comment at a weekend retreat. At least I was enjoying my meditation time. But there is also much wisdom in those few words. We love the joy of ecstasy, but we hate the work of making it last. Whether it's coming back from a mountaintop experience, finding work on the other side of innovation, or getting muddled moving beyond the enthusiasm for change, making any meaningful change takes work. You have to do the laundry. You have to get things on...and then off your to-do-lists. Time management isn't really that complicated. Make that which is important and must be done your top priority; stay focused on that priority until it is done or until something more important takes its place. Don't waste time; invest it where it counts. Sometimes that means it's time to focus on some very important laundry. What laundry is not getting done that needs to be done? Where are you and your team avoiding the work of strategic change? Do some focusing on some unpopular but necessary finishing work this week.
A PAULSON QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"We can all think of other people who need to change. Unfortunately, the only person you even remotely control is yourself, and even that is in question on Mondays. Manage yourself and then you will be ready to lead others." --Terry L. Paulson, PhD, CSP, CPAE
MONDAY'S MIRTHFUL MOMENT
Dr. Loren Ekroth (Loren Ekroth, www.conversation-matters.com) provides this week's mirthful message--"Yogisms You'll Love!" Enjoy:
"It gets late early out there."
"Little League is good because it keeps parents off the street and kids out of the house."
"We made too many wrong mistakes."
"It's so crowded, nobody goes there."
"It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I've had a couple of times."
"If you ask me a question I don't know, I'm not going to answer."
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!...