Karl Edwards presents Working Matters

Tag: reality check

  • Building a Distinct Approach to Your New Year’s Resolution

    For as widespread as the practice of setting New Year’s Resolutions is, almost more common is the expectation that these resolutions will not, in fact, be kept.

    Are we becoming too cynical? Or are we merely laughing at our own failings?

    The problem with how we traditionally approach New Year’s resolutions is that it’s such an all-or-nothing affair.

    Most of us set an ambitious goal for ourselves. So far so good. It’s helpful to have a goal and for that goal to be specific.

    But then we articulate the goal as an all-or-nothing proposition. In other words the only two options available are to keep it entirely or to fail it utterly.

    “I will lose 15 pounds.” “I will keep my desk clean.” “I will stop calling the Trojan (more…)

  • Memorial Day Reflection: In the Mean Time <-> Until Now

    This is the day when we Americans remember that we enjoy peace at home, not because we have eschewed violence, but because we have been willing to stand up to those who would use violence against us and our children.

    This is the day that we remember that protecting most of our children has resulted in the loss of many of our children.

    While world peace is a goal worthy of sincere and dedicated efforts, in the mean time there will be those who hate, those who insist on wielding power at any cost, and those who are too proud, too narrow, too scared, or with too much at stake to put down the sword.

    All of human history until now has been, “in the mean time.”

    We will not close our eyes to this tragic reality, however tempting it might be to believe that we could merely will it away if only we opposed war or the military or governments or defense contractors loudly enough.

    All of human history… until now.

    Yes, we must strive for different, more peaceful, more accepting, more collaborative, more respectful, and more creative ways to share the planet. In the mean time, though, we will not under any circumstance allow anyone to harm our children.

    Thank you to our service men and women whose task it is to stand in harm’s way so that we can work and play and love and live… in the mean time.

    – Karl Edwards

  • Loving Monday: Holiday Madness

    loving_mondayThere’s still another week or so before we get some time off for the holidays.

    BUT…

    But it’s in the air. The spirit. The anticipation. The preparations. The madness.

    And you and I are supposed to remain productive at work! That’s funny.

    We need to change our definition of “productive” during the holiday season. I’m convinced it’s a losing battle to police productivity levels according to ordinary standards. There’s just too much going on. The wise leader recognizes the seasonal dynamic and adjusts.

    Both you and your team have people coming to town to visit or are planning to travel away. There is shopping to do and preparations to make. Some of us decorate. Some of us host parties. All of us are affected by the holiday madness.

    Having said that it is unrealistic to demand ordinary productivity during the holidays, neither do we have to throw out any expectations of job effectiveness altogether.

    Once we recognize that people are distracted by the holidays, we can adjust in ways that make room for the accompanying realities of these distractions. Providing some space during the day to take care of holiday business frees people to focus back on their jobs sooner and in higher spirits.

    Allowing longer lunch breaks, permitting some online shopping during work hours, relaxing about personal calls, and/or allowing people to use one of their sick days for personal use—are all ways to make room for the realities of the holiday season.

    Not only would you be building goodwill with your team, but with the holiday chores and accompanying stresses removed from the situation, everyone will be back to work with one less distraction.

    Choose the holiday spirit you want in your office! Holiday joy or holiday madness.

  • Don’t Let Their Meltdown Become Your Meltdown

    It’s certainly not fun to watch the stock market fall, taking your long term savings and possibly a dream or two with it.

    It’s certainly not comforting to watch entire companies close their doors, creating instant unemployment for not just a few skilled workers.

    And no one likes hearing about anyone losing their home, even in the maddening case when the initial mortgage commitment was irresponsible.

    My question for you is, “Are you letting their meltdown become your meltdown?”

    It’s easy to start worrying about our own job security, financial well-being, and credit issues. But there is a big difference between the sort of reality check some of us need to make us face the facts about our money practices and the sort of shared anxiety based, not on facts, but on the broader climate of uneasiness, fear and panic.

    One question you might want to ask yourself is, “Am I making this decision to make myself feel less anxious today, or is this the best possible choice to help me achieve my short and long term financial goals and commitments?”

    In times of economic stress, it is easy to slip into making decisions in order to make us feel better. This is where we risk allowing their meltdown to become our meltdown.

    What we are looking for is a sense of poise instead of panic. Perspective instead of overwhelm. Strategy instead of fear.

    Poise is both an interior and exterior posture that is steady, balanced and paying attention. Poise is not easily knocked over or thrown off course by the unexpected earthquakes and/or hurricanes of life. Poise involves maintaining one’s composure to better assess the situation, distinguish between fact and fear, and think more clearly.

    Perspective is a vantage point. Perspective involves being able to step back and look at issues from more than one angle. Perspective rejects isolation and consults with safe and experienced friends, associates and professionals.

    Strategy is wisdom committed to action. Strategy discerns urgent issues requiring immediate decisions. Strategy recognizes longer term possibilities and holds or adjusts course accordingly. Strategy does not recoil from difficult decisions, because its validation does not come from needing to feel better right away.

    Validation is the peace that is available from a posture of poise, a vantage point with perspective, and a thoughtful strategy of next steps.

    What are you doing to prevent their meltdown from becoming your meltdown?