MORE SO THAN NOT

"After all, life is really simple; we ourselves create the circumstances that complicate it."

Unknown

True.

We create drama where none existed, worry without cause, and anger that outlasts its cause.

Life would be much simpler if none of that were true.

SOONER OR LATER YOU HAVE TO PERFORM

"In times of storm, the shallowness of the root structure is revealed."

Unknown Source

Anyone can perform when unchallenged.

The trick is to do so when most others can't.

THE MIND'S CHALLENGE

"Remember, when life's path is steep, keep your mind even."

Horace (BC 65-8) Latin lyric poet

Often the "steeper" (difficult) you believe the "path" (task) to be, the harder it will be to overcome.

Don't imagine it more so than it really is.

WHO WILL YOUR FRIENDS BE TOMORROW?

"Great perils have this beauty, that they bring to light the fraternity of strangers."

Victor Hugo

19th century French poet, dramatist and novelist

Strangers who often later become friends, having survived the peril that brought them together.

Consider the possibility that those you don't know today might be your ally tomorrow.

FEARING . . . ?

"Fear always springs from ignorance."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

19th century U.S. poet, essayist, lecturer

Ignorance about things that often never happen.

The next time you are afraid, take time to learn all you can about what you fear.

In many cases you will find it doesn't exist.

Management Mischief

"O, mischief, though art swift to enter into the thoughts of desperate men!"

William Shakespeare

16th century British playwright

And who can be more desperate than management in a troubled company?

How (do) you insure that management mischief will not appear when big problems arise?

Shoot To Kill

"If you shoot a king you must kill him."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

19th century American essayist/poet

Not only true of kings but of CEOs and other managers as well.

If the challenge really matters to you, by all means go ahead with it.

However be prepared to leave, you may not survive.

What Else You Got?

"With coarse rice to eat, water to drink, and my bent arm for a pillow--I have still joy in the midst of all these things."

Confucius

5th century BC Chinese philosopher

I have to believe that positive attitude is a decided advantage when dealing with severe business problems.

What do you think?

Looking Beyond

"What you see, but can't see over, is as good as infinite."

Thomas Carlyle

19th century British historian

Is it?

What if believing you see what is beyond, causes you to stop looking?

Is That It?

"Only the most acute and active animals are capable of boredom."

Friedrich Nietzsche

19th century German philosopher

While you want to employ thinking, active individuals, you must do all you can to continually challenge them because if you don't they won't stay with you for long.

Give Up?

"If you're going through hell, keep going."

Winston Churchill

WWII British Prime Minister

I think we often do have a tendency to stop when things are not going as we hoped.

If we do to look for a better way, fine, but if we are stopping just to stop, no.

How do you handle adversity?

Into Each Life A Little Rain Must Fall Is A Good Thing

". . . a little tumult now and then is an agreeable quickener of sensation . . ."

Lord Byron

Late 18th century, early 19th century British poet

If everything in your business life today was as it was yesterday, why would you ever expect it to be different tomorrow?

In Business As In War

"A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies."

 Oscar Wilde

19th century Irish writer/poet

Never thought about "choosing" your enemies?

You often do by your actions, not theirs.

Choose wisely.

What's In A Word?

"Man needs difficulties; they are necessary for health."

Carl Gustav Jung

Early 20th century Swiss psychologist/psychiatrist

If this bothers you would it set better if we exchanged "challenges" for "difficulties".

It kind of does for me.

Funny the unsaid implications of some words.

Hard Times Management: The Time to Change

"The greatest inspiration is often born of desperation."

Comer Cottrell
Businessman

When all goes well some people, myself included, sometimes get comfortable not looking to change things. It's only when challenged that we are forced to look for alternatives.

Well we're certainly not comfortable now and because we are not there are a growing number of us searching for "alternatives."

On the one hand I wish things were better economically but precisely because they are not I see in myself a re-energized examination of all things in my professional life.

Already I am making changes in both me and my business I wish I had thought to make before things got ugly. But of greater importance I look around and see I am not alone and that others are as well.

How about you?