Juggling Elephants Blog

On a flight this Fall I was surprised to find a 4 year old in the middle seat next to me, but with no parent. I soon learned that his mom was sitting in the middle seat behind him. Their flight on the previous day had been cancelled and so the mom and 3 boys were on our flight. There was no way to get the family in seats together, so the 4 hour flight became quite interesting. Ethan (the 4 year old) was quite active and kept squirming in his seat. He wanted something to eat but then wouldn't eat what his mom gave him. He kicked the seat in front of him and I had to remind the person in the seat that "he's not my child." Having children myself I tried hard to keep him content, but to no avail. His mom was visibly exasperated with all 3 boys and did little to help soothe him. As the flight progressed, he got increasingly uncomfortable, to the point where I was ready to sit on the wing!

It wasn't long after this that I heard the mom talking to someone beside her. She said, "Yes, we are on our way home from visiting my parents." The person remarked how it must be quite challenging to travel with 3 small boys. "Yes," she said, "My husband died last year. He was 43. We sure miss him. He died of a blood clot-he was fine one minute and in 15 seconds he was dead.
At that point, I was so disgusted with myself. I wished that I could have went back in time and done the flight over again. Ethan and I would have had a grand time laughing and joking, drawing or singing. Whatever would have brought a ray of sunshine into his difficult life. My patience with him would have been very different.

At the age of 42, I also was overwhelmed with a sense of thankfulness. I could call my children and my wife. I am still alive to make their days better, to be the husband and dad they need. Ethan's dad doesn't have that opportunity anymore.

Whatever your situation this Thanksgiving, be thankful. I know it's been a tough year and there are real uncertainties in our jobs and in our future. No matter how difficult you think your path may be, if you are reading this post, you have many reasons to be thankful. Just ask Ethan.

USA Today had a series recently on "Sports and Academics." It was quite thorough and included thoughts and perspectives from athletes, coaches and college leaders. One day they highlighted the thoughts of two athletes about their college experience. Read their words and see if you notice a difference:

Chinyere "Chi Chi" Okpaleke
When I received my diploma, I realized it was all worth it. I thank God every day I took the road less traveled, stayed true to my heart and stuck with it. (Entire Article)

Steven Cline
Now I look back and say, 'Well, what did I really go to college for? Crap classes you won't use the rest of your life?' Social science is nothing specific. I majored in football.(Entire Article)

The difference, in Juggling Elephants terms, was that one stayed true to their purpose while the other was distracted by the purpose of others. If you read both articles you will see that both faced difficult challenges. When the time came to make choices, however, one chose an answer that was contrary to their purpose, but more immediately gratifying or convenient. The other made a choice that required more sacrifice now, but with outcomes that would be worth it in the future.

I wish I could say that I could most readily identify with Okpaleke, but I am more likely to be like Cline. I make choices that give me instant gratification or avoid some difficult obstacle, but leave me looking back with regret. Not just over the course of four years, but even in how I spend a day or an hour of my time. The result is the same.

What choices do you need to make today? And what choice would one day have you look back with gratitude and peace instead of pain and disappointment? An old quote comes to mind:

Labels: choices, goal setting, priorities, willpower

Much has been made of the similarities that faced Franklin D. Roosevelt when he took office and the bleak conditions to be faced by Barack Obama. While the quote by Roosevelt will probably well serve the incoming President, it also has great wisdom for each of us in these difficult times.

Simply doing nothing and "waiting out the moment" is not an option. If you need to better manage your finances, do it now. If you are in fear of losing your job you need to continue to do your best at your current job but also look at other options and possibilities. Continue to align your activities toward your desired outcomes. Do the best you can with the knowledge, skills and wisdom you have at this moment. The perfect opportunity to change rarely exists.

If your choice of action works to your advantage-Bravo! If not, modify it and try again. To do nothing lies contrary to another quote related to the circus...'"The show must go on!"

Labels: finances, strategic planning, worry

I was recently traveling and had a long layover at an airport. I remembered that I had a coupon for one free visit to an airport club. One of those places you can step out of the hustle and noise of the airport and relax or work. I found the club and went inside. Wow! I could almost immediately feel my tension dropping. After finding a comfortable spot I got to work. My productivity was incredible. More than anything, I felt a new sense of focus and direction when I left the club and headed back into the airport concourse.

Reflecting on the experience, I thought about the idea of the dressing room. The place where performers go to prepare for their act. The great ones know proper preparation is critical to peak performance. Staying too close to the noise and chaos of set up can be distracting. Well-meaning people can also derail your mental focus. Too often I start my daily circus or an "act" without spending enough time in my dressing room. Ultimately, my performance suffers.

What could your dressing room be? A spot at home where you spend a few minutes preparing for your day? How about at work? Could it be a place where you can have a few moments of peace and quiet to prepare for your next act? That few moments of preparation could make all the difference.

Labels: focus, planning

Imagine that you are the owner of a circus and you and your team make the following poor decisions:

• You try to compete against other circuses much larger than you in their area
• You don't have a clear purpose or resulting outcomes in mind
• You fire or lose your best performers
• You finally get the word out about your circus but don't have enough seats or concessions

You couldn't expect your circus to be successful, could you? Well, the shipping giant DHL attempted to beat those odds in the US shipping market in 2003. According to an article in the November 11 Wall Street Journal, they:

• Underestimated the intensity of the competition (other circuses)
• Didn't have a cohesive strategy (clear purpose)
• Failed to retain top talent when they acquired shipper Airborne (performers)
• Failed to ensure it could handle the rush of business that came with its ad campaign in 2004. As a result it quickly developed a reputation for poor service. (Poor service)

Ultimately, the economy proved too much for them... when combined with all these missteps. What about your organization's circus? Are the right decisions being made to keep the circus going in a tough environment... or are you in danger of packing up and moving on to a new town? And as a ringmaster of a work team or department what can you do to keep the performance a positive one?

Labels: strategic planning

I was listening to an interview with a potential member of the incoming president's cabinet. When asked if he was going to take the job, he replied, "This is not a professional choice. There are family and personal considerations I must review before making a decision."

Bravo! So many decisions are made by people without giving a thought to how that choice will affect other areas of their life. I wonder how things would be different for them if they would first stop and say, "What impact will this choice have on the other rings in my circus?" My guess is that their decisions would get a much better standing ovation from others-and themselves.

Labels: choices

I recently came across this Yiddish Proverb:

Labels: feedback, improvement

I recently read The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann. I would highly recommend the book especially at this time in the world’s history. Without giving away the whole book the key "take away" for me was the important message of forgetting our self interests and putting others interest first. For me it is so easy to get caught up in my own little world and become consumed with what is happening to me and ignore those around me. The message is "Put others first and you will receive even more in return." It seems backwards but I believe it to be a correct principle.

I was told this story from a neighbor when I was growing up that illustrates this point very well. It was a cool Fall Saturday and my neighbor decided that he was going to clean out his garage. He dressed up in some old clothes (an army jacket and jeans) and pulled down all the boxes in the rafters. While going through the boxes, he found a coat that was in really good shape. After finishing with the garage, he decided to jump in his car and drive down to the homeless shelter and donate the coat. He dropped off the coat at the shelter and as he was walking back to his car someone approached him with a bag of groceries. The person said, "You really look like you need these groceries." (Remember, he had been working in the garage all day, was dirty and wearing old clothes). The person handed my neighbor the food and walked away. It so caught him off guard that he couldn't think fast enough to get the words out to explain that he was not in need. He could only think to say, "Thank you!" to the person who was now halfway down the street. He turned around, walked back to the shelter and found someone that needed the groceries. But this time as he walked back to his car he had a lump in his throat as he thought about the kindness that he had been shown.

Stop and talk with a neighbor who is working in their yard, read a book to a child, be a "general manager" and consider the specific needs of those around you. Volunteer on a regular basis, turn off the TV and talk with your family, pick a charity to donate to every month (even if it is $5). Be a giver, not someone who is always taking.

Labels: book review, teamwork

Tuesday is election day. Regardless of your affiliation, beliefs or perspectives, it's one of the most important "acts" you need to have in your lineup as an American. By doing your homework and voting based on your principles, you affect the lineup of not just your local community but for our country. If you want our country to get more standing ovations and for our performance as a nation to improve-you should exercise your right to vote. Be the ringmaster!