Blessed Are The Flexible For They Shall Not Be Bent Out of Shape

"You cannot be the same, think the same, and act the same if you hope to be successful in a world that does not remain the same.” 

--Malcome Gladwell

OMGoodness, why doesn't anyone do it my way? 

Okay, that's not always true, but I seem to be getting reminded of how inflexible I can be when what I have planned is interrupted.  Dennis scheduled a surgery on a day when I had 2 coaching clients. I had a responsibility at church where my only direction was "you do it." So I had "my way" all planned and, of course, it didn't happen that way.  There have been a couple other events that haven't gone the way I planned. 

My first reaction in these situations is usually anger.  As I processed these events, I realized the emotions were not always anger. Sometimes the feelings were disappointment, hurt feelings, fear and/or astonishment.  

I know that I can't control some circumstances, however, I can control my response. If it seems like I'm writing a lot about this, I am.  I think I will continue to be tested here until my response is to let it go. Feel the feeling, and then just let it go rather than having it ruin an hour or two of my day.  

As I thought about this, John Maxwell's book, "Leadershift," came to mind. If we want to be successful as leaders, we need to learn to embrace uncertainty and make shifts continually.  That's so true, isn't it? Our world is changing at such a rapid pace, we need to be flexible.

How to make these shifts?  Here a few steps from John's book: 

1. Continually learn, unlearn and relearn. If we always do what we've always done, we'll always get what we've always gotten. We need to be willing to let go of what worked yesterday and grasp new ways of seeing and doing things.

2. Yesterday ended last night. We need to focus on today. What we did in the past may have been fantastic but it probably won't help us win today. 

3. Keep growing. There's no finish line when it comes to improving. As long as we are enlarging ourselves, our influence increases and so does our impact. 

4. Move forward bravely in uncertainty.  "Life expands or shrinks in proportion to our courage."  John covers this step with that quote perfectly.

As I reflect one more time, and look at the uncertainty of the future, I realize I better get more comfy with change. Not only that, I better attempt to anticipate what might come, so I can be ready. Hmmm...looking at life as an adventure to be lived full out is an affirmation of mine this year.  Hopefully, the next time I get to take this test I will pass. I'll keep you posted:) 

Even Helen Keller said, "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all."  Now, that's a flexible perspective.

Gracefully bending,