This is a great quote. Don’t know who said it but it inspires me in so many ways.
1. When I dread something
How I want to do everything and anything is with truth, love and thoughtfulness. That is what I strive for but don’t always reach. Whether it’s a menial task I feel is beneath me, or an overwhelming one where there is no end in site I try to handle it all the same way – period. Because how you handle one situation is truly reflective of how you handle them all.
And be careful… people are watching and more importantly- learning from you.
When I dread doing something I rush in and tackle it. Sometimes. Sometimes I procrastinate. When I choose to put it off, that is when this quote inspires. Procrastination is not reflective of everything I do so I move and tackle it head on.
2. Helps me think versus react
I want you to think about something.
What percentage of your day is reacting and what is thinking?
Think about it. Do you open your email each morning with the intention of plowing through and emptying it out? And then you are stuck just reacting to what people want from you. Before you know it, you look up and the day is half over. Sound familiar?
Don’t be a reactor. It doesn’t take a lot of brain-power to be a reactor. Now, the Wayne Dwyer in me is going to come out – but when you react to other people’s moods and issues you are giving them undeserving power in your life. They are a jerk and they ruin your day? YOU control who takes up valuable space in your head. THINK about that.
How you think about one thing is how you think about everything…
Be a thinker, not a reactor.
3. Start from the beginning
Now this is one example of how I handle one thing. Which turns into each and everything. If you are reading this and have worked for me at one point, you’re for sure rolling your eyes. With every single situation you encounter- start from the beginning. When talking to your boss, your employee, your kids, your clients – tell the whole story and start from the beginning.
Everybody loves a story!
Reactors tend to get worked up and jump into the middle of the muck and try to get out. Stop. Deep breath. Set it up, tell a story, give the background and start from the top. I handle everything this way.
4. Don’t let one thing define your everything
It’s why as a leader and manager for the past 25 years and having reviewed millions of resumes and hired a lot of people – if your resume has typos, it’s thrown out. If you don’t check your own work, how will you check mine?
Wow – a missing comma just defined your everything. You’re lazy. Yikes.
Where else does that hold true?
What can you tell about people who:
- Don’t return the shopping cart in the proper place so it can roll into another car
- Volunteer
- Are rude to waiters and waitresses
- Run tri-athalons
- Speed and weave in and out in traffic
- Plan a full week of food in advance
- Belittle other people
- Give compliments
How you do one thing is how you do everything. I’m just sayin…
What do you think?