I’m excited to announce that I’ve moved to a place of my own – JenniferDeshler.com! I hope you’ll stop by my new blog soon!
(If you’ve been so kind as to include me on your blogroll, please update the link URL to http://jenniferdeshler.com. Thanks!!)
Monday was a great day. I had productive meetings, got several new projects moving, and had plans to go to an advance screening of a wonderful new movie with friends. I picked up the kiddo and thought it would be good to run home and let her change clothes before we headed to the theater.
Upon walking into the kitchen, I was met with something like this.
With the help of my neighbor we were able to get the cause of the water stopped, but panic had already set in. Looking out into other rooms of the house, I knew this wasn’t going to be a walk in the park.
Now, I manage stress pretty well. Sure, I have my five minute meltdowns in the bathroom on occasion. But when tragedy hits, I can jump in and take care of business. But this mess…this unplanned chaos…hit me hard. And I knew right then that I was going to have to be very careful about how I handled myself, or I’d make things worse. It was while sucking that second load of water out with the wetvac that I decided I would look for just one silver lining and that would help me manage my emotions.
It never ceases to amaze me how God takes our baby steps and uses them to sharpen us. That one simple act of making a decision on how my attitude would be through the storm has made the last few days unexpectedly inspiring.
I learned something Huge this week. And even as I sit here typing this post, I am connecting the dots to another situation. I’ve been working through something, and have let my attitude drive my decisions in the wrong direction. What a profound reminder I’ll have from now about the power of clear decision making in determining how to look at and live in tough situations.
How has looking for the Silver Lining in bad situations reshaped your thinking?
Malcolm Gladwell wrote a fascinating book several years ago about how little changes can make a big difference and influence a “tipping point”…the moment when the right mix causes an epidemic and change occurs.
When I look back over the last three years, I see how this phenomenon moved me to where I am now, but lately, I’ve been looking for that next burst of momentum in all aspects of my life. Others peek into my world and see gold stars-simply a testament to what can be done when you are determined to succeed. But in my own mind, I wonder sometimes if I am riding the ghosts of former glory and need to create a new vision of the “me” I am today. Outspoken, forward thinking, undisciplined in some areas, fiercely loyal, intent on building others up, and full of a desire to speak the same language as everyone else (though I know that all too often, for good and for bad, I move to the beat of a different drum).
Are we really only as good as the most recent memory? Or, as Nigel says each week on SYTYCD, do we need to remember the history of the season, and not just the dance we did today?
What has to change in our thinking, work style, and outlook on life to propel us through to the tipping point?
In Monopoly, there are several moves that can be made during the game. You can invest early or you can pay rent. You can build houses or hotels. You can draw a Chance card and advance directly to Go, or you can get stuck with one of the ” Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200” cards. This card selection stinks in the board game and in the game of life.
In the business world, sometimes we’re caught off our game. We get overloaded with work; we’re trying to reduce an Inbox from 2,000 down to 0, or we accept too many meetings meetings thereby limiting the amount of time to get work done.
I had one of those rare ”off” moments last week. I was knee-deep in a discussion with coworkers where solutions to a problem were being figured out. The discussion ran long, and before I knew it, I was going to be late for a meeting. I was scattered as I power walked into the other person’s office. The start of the meeting could have been much better than it was, and because it was just two people, there was slim chance that my lack of focus went unnoticed. The other person became disengaged, and it was work to get the discussion back on track. I walked out feeling like I’d just lost an hour and left the wrong impression.
I stewed for two days over that bad meeting. Did I lose value with the other person because it hadn’t gone as well as intended? Would I now be viewed as less capable because of it? And then God reminded me that we can’t go through life pushing the rewind button. Our hearts were not made to bear the torture of regret, or the sting of guilt. We all make mistakes. And it’s through acknowledging the mistakes and looking for ways to minimize repeats that we learn the biggest lessons.
My lesson was that I need to say “no” more often so that I make time to focus on what’s most important while at work. I probably wouldn’t have gotten the picture as clearly had I not screwed up in such grandiose style. Praise God that we get second chances…the “advance to Go” card, if you will.
What mess-up have you made where God has used it to teach you a valuable lesson?
Yesterday, I sat in a meeting that changed my outlook on several things at work. I learned about changes in how we’ll communicate with each other, how we’ll be more accountable to each other, and how we’re going to work together better as we reach for the Same Goals. It was empowering. And I needed it.
An open door...
In this same meeting, I learned more about the two doors.
Last Friday, I had noticed something different about these two doors. They were pushed completely open. We’re so used to seeing them closed that I thought maybe the a/c had leaked or something had burned in the microwave and the space had to be aired out. Those doors always being closed represented exclusivity, power…an ivory tower one dared not enter unless really necessary.
Yesterday, I learned that the light bulb had come on and these doors would be open all the time. That simple act told everyone outside that they are important and worth the risk of distraction. And sending that message gains a huge amount of respect from ones followers. The biggest win will be for those inside because others will see them in a new light. Approachable. Looking for connection.
I am excited about the days ahead. There is a renewed vision. A new sense of teamwork. My attitude has shifted. And all it took was one great meeting and two open doors…
What actions have you seen at work recently that give you a glimpse of great leadership?
