It seems to me, that the world has turned upside down!
What used to be "always true” is now almost never true.
What used to be predictable and consistent is now erratic and inconsistent.
Does it feel to you as though we are living in "the worst of times” and keep hoping for the "best of times" to show up any minute? If yes, read on!
How many times a day do you hear "Well, the good news is that we are all in this together!"
Why is that good news?
• Misery loves company?
• There is strength in numbers?
• It means we didn't cook it up all alone?
• It spreads the fear around?
• We can all move in together when the dreaded moment comes and our reserves are all gone?
I don't know about you, but life and work have not been the same for me and for my company for well over 11 months now. Each time I think I have the "new world" figured out, another wave can be seen on the horizon....ending a temporary illusion of calm seas.
The good news for me is that I have a unique perspective from my work; I have two client bases. One client base is senior executives and the other client base is their executive and administrative support staff. This dual client focus allows me to see the world from two very different points of view. So, how are they both doing right now? Who is succeeding and what are their common secrets to success? Would you like to know them?
OK...Here are my observations:
The Five Common Secrets to Successful Working in a World Turned Upside Down
1. Do not spend time thinking about what is ahead unless you are in a strategy meeting and there is group support available.
2. Do not look to the past unless there is something you need to retrieve that is relevant to this present moment
3. Find a method that works for you and focus your mind every day on only the present.
4. Lead everything you do during the day with a question, not an answer.
5. Embrace the unknown and stay open to possibility never before considered.
Why do I believe that these five secrets work so well?
1. Thinking about the future generates "what ifs" and fear which shuts down creativity
2. Thinking about the past also shuts down creativity; the past is the past and is no longer relevant except for some lessons learned
3. Focusing on the present moment accesses powerful sources of creativity and prevents mind clutter. Thoughts of past and future are like dark clouds covering the sun; the clouds block the light just as thoughts of the past and future block creativity.
4. Leading your thinking with a question opens the mind to not staying stuck in old ways of believing and thinking. The answers we had a year ago are, many times, not relevant today
5. March on with confidence and believe that that there is a new path ahead! We are all marching together into unknown worlds and just because there is no map, doesn't mean there isn't a path. We are being called to be explorers, pioneers and mapmakers.
Creativity is the big key that people who are successful right now at this moment in these times, are using as their path into the unknown. Yes, we are all in this together, and no, there is no map, but each of us has untapped and deep wells of creativity to guide us through these times if we take the time to access them!
2500 years ago, an Ancient Greek Philosopher believed that everything is constantly changing as it flows through time. He is known to have said: "A person cannot descend to the same river twice"
I'd love to hear your "secrets" for success in the new work world!
