We have so much going on right now, if you think about it too much, your head will spin.
Consider the pandemic and debate about what is right and what is wrong with everything—from getting vaccines to wearing masks, social distancing, working remotely, attending virtual classes, and receiving stimulus checks (small, big, or none).
With the recent U.S. presidential election, opinions vary. Who is right and who is wrong? Who is deceitful and who is not? Which policies are best for our country and which are not?
And by joining all the protests happening, people are expressing themselves—some peacefully and others with no regard for the safety of those around them.
Is your head spinning yet?
As a member of the National Speakers Association, I often listen to and learn from some of the world’s best professional speakers. A few years ago, I heard W Mitchell eloquently deliver “his” enduring message: It’s Not What Happens to You, It’s What You Do About It.
From his wheelchair, W Mitchell started with “Before I was paralyzed, there were 10,000 things I could do. Now there are 9,000. I can either dwell on the 1,000 I’ve lost or focus on the 9,000 I have left.”
He talked about choices, responsibility, perspective, focus, courage, and gratitude—an inspiring Saturday morning indeed. Yes, you might pick up inspiration for yourself and your team from this amazing man. His website is here.
Like you, as a business leader, I have led organizations through unwanted changes and experienced countless difficult times and circumstances throughout my career. Upon reflection of my successes and failures, it all comes down to this: What I did about each of them. That encompasses both the actions I took or things I said and those I didn’t take or say. Stated another way, It’s not what happens to us, it’s what we do about it.
Leadership Tip
Inspire your team by encouraging them to deal with difficult situations with a positive outlook.
Talk about choices, responsibility, perspective, focus, courage, and gratitude. While you’re together, also identify one major change or difficulty you and your team could face in the next six months. Determine the appropriate action to take and then take it!
As an aside, W Mitchell signed my book, “Remember, it’s not what happens to you, it’s what you do about it.” I encourage you to remember that message, too.
