A good friend of mine once gave a presentation on being thankful. As presenters go, he did an effective job of addressing the regular issues related to the topic: remaining humble, maintaining a positive attitude, and keeping your chin up. It was solid throughout, until he turned the whole message, and how I now view the world, upside down.
He told me I should be thankful ahead of time. Yes, that’s right. Ahead of time.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Now I’m all for staying positive. In fact I think it’s absolutely essential. However, being thankful after good things happen (read here -> reach my goals) suddenly seems a bit self-centered. Isn’t my success built on the accomplishments of the team I work with? Isn’t my job as a leader to create an environment that allows that team to flourish? So, being thankful after the fact isn’t really being thankful at all. It’s being relieved. That’s not thankful.
HOW ABOUT YOU
Do you realize you are surrounded by the talent, creativity, and diversity of background and thought in your organization to make you successful? Are you thankful before the work gets done; or, do you fall into the trap of simply feeling relief?
I’d love to hear from you.
No Excuses.
