Which Door Wood You Choose?
Blog from Tracy Butz of Think Impact Solutions
When you are faced with a significant hardship, like mounting debt, being out of work, or a struggling relationship, how do you usually work through it?
I have found that there are generally three kinds of people—A) those that want to make things better, B) those that choose to make things better and C) those that wonder how others seem to make things better. Which person are you, A, B or C?
We all handle issues in different ways, yet my point is about ‘how’ we choose to face the difficult challenge before us. People tend to fall into one of three categories, relatively speaking.
Some individuals ‘want’ to do things to improve their situation but struggle with creating a plan, committing to it, and then following it through to make it happen. I refer to these people as those that ponder behind Door A, made of ash wood.
Some though, tend to stand by Door B made of birch wood and ‘watch’ others improve their difficulties, and repeatedly wonder how that person was able to move forward, yet they continue to struggle. It’s almost as if something, like fear perhaps, is crippling them and allowing them to be somewhat of a passive bystander, and letting life pass them by.
However, there is a third group that eagerly waits behind Door C made of cedar wood. These individuals can hardly wait to open the door to address the situation, looking forward to the future beyond this hurdle. They usually learn a valuable lesson or two from the adversity; however, the issue is quickly left behind in their rear-view mirror.
Before you find yourself in a position of indecision or difficulty, try to consciously determine today which door would suit you best…the one made of Ash, Birch or Cedar. Then when you encounter a hardship, all you need to do is act…with confidence and without hesitation.
Hardships Don’t Define You
Blog from Tracy Butz of Think Impact Solutions
Is Your Life Defined by Hardships? Do you feel that life is unfair or you have been dealt a crappy hand? Most of us feel this ways at times throughout our life. However, do you spend a fair amount of time thinking this way?
If you do, these thoughts are toxic and need to change. Instead of focusing your energy on what has just occurred or may be out of your control, it is so important to focus instead on what measures can be taken, what things are in your control, and what things you can do now to make the situation better. Bad stuff happens to all of us. It’s part of life. How you choose to move through your hardships or adversities is what defines you…not the obstacle itself.
Why Adaptability is Important for Leaders
Blog from Tracy Butz of Think Impact Solutions
Adaptability means responding effectively to changing events in an organizational environment. How flexible are you when conditions, colleagues or circumstances suddenly change?
Leaders all over the world are facing change like new cultures, new jobs, new markets, etc. Dramatic change creates a feeling of uncertainty, self-consciousness, even fear. Even a minor change can have a powerful effect.
Given the current complexities of work, the sheer volume of information flowing in, and the rapid changes taking place, it makes sense that leaders must be adaptive. People are doing their best to adjust and deal with change every day. Adaptability is no longer something that is o.k., it is imperative. Without the ability to adapt to change, a supervisor previously seen as successful and full of potential is likely to be derailed, demoted or even fired if he/she is unable to effectively adapt.
Adaptable leaders accept change. They find ways to manage behaviors that help them thrive in times of transition. People working with adaptable leaders have role models and guides to help them through change in a productive, genuine way. And when leaders develop and demonstrate adaptability, it will have a positive impact on those employees the supervisor leads. Just as when you travel in an airplane you are instructed to put on your own emergency oxygen mask before helping others, teaching yourself to be more adaptable will benefit others. Increased flexibility will allow you to be more effective in your efforts to make decisions and manage change. Your behavior will help set the tone in your team and organization. Choose to be more adaptable today.
What are some obstacles you have faced to being adaptable? Do you struggle with it? If you resist a change, how does that affect your team?
