I know things are different this year, but it is still the Christmas holiday season. May you and your family have a truly blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
The MMM will take off next week for the holidays and return on Monday, January 4th of 2021. What are your plans to make 2021 great?
Successful leaders must be willing to lead. That may seem like a statement of the obvious. Many people aspire to be leaders, others assume they are leaders, but are they truly willing to lead?
To become an intentional, respected, servant leader one must be willing to lead. I use the word “willing” because it implies a desire to act, to do what it takes. One does not simply become a true leader because of their age, status or title. Leadership requires work and is developed over time. It requires a willingness to change and adapt. Successful leaders understand themselves as well as their followers, and they adjust accordingly. They are intentional about reading people and analyzing situations to determine the best course of action. That approach is about the greater good of the project or organization, not the individual good of the leader. Great leaders are willing to acclimate to personalities, circumstances and challenges. Are you willing to lead?
Have you ever felt truly blessed by another individual? Maybe it was a close friend supporting you through a tragedy. Possibly it was a total stranger who blessed you with a random act of kindness. Or maybe it was a church group that covered you in prayer. Those blessings feel good, don’t they?
Think about
the origin of that blessing. Consider
being the one that is a blessing to others. There is nothing more endearing
than a genuine act of kindness. One of
the most powerful things you can do as a human being is to care for another
individual. Being a blessing to others
is not difficult or expensive. It simply requires a mindset that’s focused on
others and not ourselves. We have all had that warm feeling of being blessed by
others. Why can’t we make it our
priority to grant those warm feelings to those around us?
As we head into this holiday season still in the midst of a pandemic, make it your goal to be a blessing to those around you.
Recently, as I was working through a personal challenge in my mind, I was reminded of how difficult life can be. We were not promised that life will always be easy or comfortable, and I don’t know anyone who believes it is. Our family members battle health issues and financial challenges. Friends lose loved ones and experience family break-ups. Businesses suffer losses, economic challenges and pandemics. Churches and civic organizations face internal battles and external negative forces. Everyone knows the saying, “It’s always something”, and it is! There is always some kind of a battle going on. We always face challenges large or small. Life is about how we deal with these things, not just what we are dealing with at the moment.
It may seem
funny that I am writing about how difficult life is just one week after writing
about the importance of being thankful.
I actually don’t consider that to be inconsistent. Life is challenging, but we continue to be
blessed with opportunities and solutions. How you get through your challenges
today and this week make you who you are in the days, weeks and years to come.
Here we are headed into another major holiday still under the “wet blanket feeling” of the pandemic. This holiday, and Christmas soon to follow, will certainly look and feel different. We may not be able spend time with loved ones like normal, nor will we have the excitement of public gatherings that we enjoy during the holiday season. We might be lonely or feeling depressed. Possibly we are frustrated and overwhelmed. Whatever the case, it will be a different and potentially challenging holiday season.
As tough as things may seem, let’s keep things in perspective. We are still blessed. If you woke up this morning in good health with a roof over your head, you should be thankful. If you and your family know you will have three meals today, be grateful. If you have the ability to see and read this message, don’t take that for granted. If you have family and friends who love you, even though you might not get to hug them this Thursday, you are blessed. If you have all of these things you are in a very small percentage of the world from a wealth and comfort perspective. We may not get the holidays that we are used to, but we are blessed and should remain grateful for the things we have. Consider the real meaning of Thanksgiving and maintain perspective. Happy Thanksgiving
The Monday Morning Minute was born sixteen years ago this week. It began as an encouraging internal communication at Fleetwood Retail Corp. Since then it has grown into a widely distributed blog with the goal of starting your week with a challenging or encouraging thought. People need a jump start on Monday morning to get back into work mode. We all need a reminder about our leadership roles as we begin each week. More importantly, we must continuously learn and grow.
My son grew up playing in-line roller hockey. When he was young, and I was helping coach his team, it was hard to get kids to understand that by the time they got to the puck it will have moved. The key is to skate to where the puck is going to be!
Have Vision. Anticipate! Vision is a key to leadership. Good leaders can see and anticipate where the puck is headed. Having vision means seeing the big picture, anticipating the future, planning ahead. Vision is not easy; consider some of these failures to anticipate the future….
Decca
Records, turning down the Beatles, 1962
“There is no reason for any
individual to have a computer in their home.”
Ken
Olson, President Digital Corporation 1977
“I don’t need bodyguards.”
Jimmy
Hoffa – One month before his disappearance
We may not miss out on foresight of such magnitude as these examples, but we need to try and see around the corner. On a daily basis try to anticipate problems, foresee the implication of choices, and think ahead about the impact of changes in the world around you.
This MMM is a fresh repeat from just March of this year. I have found myself still in need of the reminder that it is okay to not be okay. When I first wrote this in March, I had no idea that I might feel the same way at the first of November, yet here we are eight months later and still in the middle of a pandemic. Take the time to remind yourself and your love ones of the challenging times that we are facing, and that the frustration and overwhelming feelings we may have are acceptable and maybe even necessary to help us get through these times.
It’s okay…
It is okay to not be okay. These are crazy challenging times. You would be unique if you were perfectly fine. Our lives, families, businesses and finances are all being impacted by this virus. We are in uncharted territory and none of us really know how we are supposed to handle this. We need to instill hope for our families, employees and organizations. We know it is important to continue to lead. We will get through this!
It is okay to not be okay. Don’t fret if you feel worried. Who isn’t somewhat depressed? I know I feel overwhelmed. Business owners are facing tough decisions. Uncertainty is prevalent and none of this is comfortable. It is okay to be frustrated, even angry, by these feelings. You have permission to breakdown occasionally. A good cry might be a healthy thing. However, you can’t let it overtake you. Yes, we need to be strong for our kids, but we don’t have to be strong 100% of the time. Crawling in a deep dark hole is not an option. We need to be realistic without constantly succumbing to the negativity. Acknowledge your feelings; respect the challenge you are facing and get back at it. Don’t let the negativity overwhelm you.
Have you ever heard the saying, "Life is a journey not a destination"? It is a great concept to keep in mind every day. All too often we want things to be all finished, resolved, and complete. More often the events of our lives, including our business lives, are a part of ongoing change that makes us who we are and leads us where we are going. It is in fact a journey, not a destination. Sometimes we need to be reminded to enjoy the journey!
"One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon—instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today."
- Dale Carnegie
Why do we wait until people grow old, or even die, before acknowledging and praising them? Why do we let those who have positively impacted our lives walk around without knowing what they mean to us? What don’t we tell people when they play a role in making us who we are? We may not all get that chance, and we should not wait. Obituaries are a great place for tributes, but they come too late. No time is better than the present to share with others how they have impacted your life.
Thank people who have given you good advice. Praise those who teach you life lessons. Tell people you appreciate their honesty and integrity. Let friends and family know what makes them special to you. Share your appreciation with people who listen and mentor you. Verbalize your love for others. Don’t wait another day…let people know the impact that they have had on your life.
Last week we talked about the importance of friends. We need support and advice from friends. The best of friends also challenge us. Truly great friends will encourage us to change course. They point out our poor decisions. They care about us becoming better versions of ourselves. Do you have friends who will be honest with you? When you veer off course will they tell you? We want and need friendships like this.
Are you
this type of a friend? Like we said last
week, friendship is a two-way street.
That means we have a responsibility to be honest with friends. We owe it to them to openly communicate and
encourage them to grow. Certainly, they
need our support. Sometimes that support
needs to take the form of a challenging conversation.
Have
great friends and a be a great friend…
People are not meant to live alone. Friends and relationships are a huge part of our lives. We may want to think we are independent and can live without those around us, but we all know that we cannot. These times of social distancing and limited community events can be challenging for friendships, but we need one another now more than ever. We need support and advice from friends. We need the sharing of life with others.
Friendship is a two-way street. It is as much about being a friend to someone as it is about having a friend. Some friends come and go. Others become fixtures in our lives for a lifetime. Certain friends are placed in our lives at specific times for specific needs we may have at the time. My life has been blessed with wonderful friendships. Many of those have outlasted job and family changes over many years. I can only hope to have been a friend to others in the way described by this insightful young girl.
True
friends are the ones who see the pain in your eyes,
when everybody else is fooled by your smile.
--Kimmy
Robbins, (14 years old)
I have written before, as many have, about the importance of attitude. Most such writings focus on the power of a positive mental attitude. Much credit is given to the strength of a proper attitude. The power of positive thinking is a popular concept and a valid one. What about the power of a bad attitude? What about the impact of a negative attitude? What is the cost of having the wrong mental attitude? Consider the thoughts of the third President of the United States.
“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental
attitude
from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the
man with the wrong mental attitude.”
-Thomas Jefferson
Have you ever described someone as being “too critical” or “always criticizing”? People can be very critical. It is almost second nature to many. Criticizing is considerably easier than being positive and participating in a solution. People should be better for having been around you. It is especially easy to criticize via email or social media. The challenge is to not just consider when others are being too critical but to monitor our own tendencies as well. Don’t automatically be judgmental or critical. Seek to provide positive feedback and constructive suggestions. Individuals who are always critical are difficult to be around and can be de-motivating. Strive to always be positive and participate in a constructive manner in your work life as well as your home life.
Wisdom is a favorite topic of the MMM. I find myself constantly seeking wisdom as well as searching out those whom I think possess wisdom. My search for wisdom is a constant on my prayer list. Whatever wisdom really is, I think we all need it. The world would be a better place if people exercised a bit of wisdom before taking action. Yet it is not always that simple. Wisdom often takes more time and patience than we naturally possess. It can also require an open mindedness that may make us uncomfortable. I have written before about wisdom and our ongoing pursuit of it. I have also written about how impatient we are as humans. Consider the following which addresses both points…
Wisdom is not proven by argument or debate. Wisdom is proven over time. Some people adamantly proclaim that their opinion is best. Regardless of how convincingly these people defend their viewpoint, time is the best judge of their wisdom. The result of a practice proves its validity, not how loudly it is promoted. 1
This is so true in our country right now.
Have a blessed week.
Much like Memorial Day and July 4th before it, this Labor Day holiday feels very different. There is not the same excitement about the start of football season, or the fun associated with back to school. Whatever BBQ gatherings do take place this weekend will likely be far fewer people. The activities we had hoped would return to normal by now have not. The wet blanket of COVID-19 continues to be a constant in our lives. But the reason for the holiday remains the same. This great country was built on the backs of laborers, hardworking laborers.
From
Wikipedia: Labor Day is a federal holiday in
the United States celebrated
on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor
movement and the works
and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements
of the United States.
It is the Monday of the long weekend
known as Labor Day Weekend.
A lot of hard work went into
the comforts that we will all likely enjoy this weekend. Enjoy your holiday!
Today’s MMM is brought to you by Thomas Rhett. He has released a great new song with some very timely lyrics. The one line that is the heart of the song is “In a world full of hate, be a light”. Our world needs light. We need peace and we need to step back and look at the big picture. Hate and anger are powerful, and they can snowball out of control. Now is a great time to be a light! Consider the meaning of these lyrics. Better yet, consider acting out these lyrics.
In a time full of war,
be peace
In a time full of doubt, just believe
Yeah, there ain't that much difference between you and me
In a time full of war, be peace
In a world full of
hate, be a light
When you do somebody wrong, make it right
Don't hide in the dark, you were born to shine
In a world full of hate, be a light
In a place that needs
change, make a difference
In a time full of noise, just listen
'Cause life is but a breeze, better live it
In a place that needs a change, make a difference
In a world full of
hate, be a light
When you do somebody wrong, make it right
Oh, don't hide in the dark, you were born to shine
In a world full of hate, be a light
In a race that you
can't win, slow it down
Yeah, you only get one go around
'Cause the finish line is six feet in the ground
In a race you can't win, just slow it down
In a world full of
hate, be a light (oh)
When you do somebody wrong, make it right (make it right)
Don't hide in the dark (don't hide in the dark), you were born to shine
In a world full of hate, be a light
Yeah, it's hard to live in color, when you
just see black and white
In a world full of hate, be a light
When the pandemic started a lot of us thought that we could wait it out. I can remember discussions with friends and clients about getting this behind us by summer or at least by the fall. Here we are one week from September and it is far from over. It is clear now that we cannot simply wait until this is over. I do believe that it will be over, however, that will not happen like a light switch being turned off. Even when COVID-19 is largely behind us things will not be the same. I don’t care for the term “new normal”, but things will definitely be different. People’s habits have changed, we live differently now. We shop differently, we eat out differently (or not at all). Folks are not traveling and likely will not return to the same travel habits quickly. Social gatherings and entertainment venues will look very different.
We cannot wait for things to
return to normal. As leaders we need to
take action. If your initial reaction
for personal plans or for your business was to wait it out before adapting, you
need to re-think that strategy. If your
business is dependent upon things returning to a pre-COVID-19 status you need
to change your plans. We simply cannot
afford to wait; we need to be making decisions now. I understand that there is a lot of
uncertainty. I realize you might not
have all the data you would like to have to act. In time like these taking some action is
better than no action at all. If we want
to come out of this smarter and more successful, we need to be deciding how to
go about that now!
There are two great times to
plant a tree, thirty years ago and today!
Life is full of opportunities for us to take on battles. There are times when it is important that we go to battle; take a stance for causes that we believe in; stand up for what is right. Those situations are mountains worth dying on. There are other mountains not worth the battle. Some disagreements and conflicts simply are not worth the fight. Maybe the issue is not that significant, not an issue of moral character or integrity. Maybe the risks of battle far outweigh the rewards of victory. Whatever the case, life requires us to wisely select the battles we choose to fight. If you go through life without standing up for anything you will feel empty and regretful. On the other hand, if you choose to fight every single little issue that comes along you will be in constant battle and probably will not experience many victories on the real important issues.
Choose your battles carefully; some issues just are not the mountain to die on.
What a great world it would be if we were all more concerned with what is right than who is right. We spend a lot of time defending our position, arguing our viewpoint, and building our own individual case. Is our position always what is right? That seems doubtful. There are times we may be arguing for what is right, but often we are just concerned with being right. Sometimes we even know that we are not right, but we just cannot bring ourselves to admit that we are wrong. It should not be about being wrong. It should be about what is right. Try and think more about what is right, for your company, for your family, for society; not who is right. Be humble…
“Pride
is concerned with who is right.
Humility
is concerned with what is right.”
-Ezra Taft Benson
