Only One Way to Go From Here
When I teach my management and leadership classes the attendees fill out evaluation forms. They give feedback on the course, the location and on me.
Generally I get very good results.
One time I got a perfect score.
Someone from the company where I contracted to do the training called me to congratulate me, she was thrilled.
It was nice to get this call and get the recognition.
But there really is only one to go from here.
In contrast, I played in a tennis match where my partner and I were destroyed. We won a few games but pretty much couldn’t do much worse then we did.
But there really is only way to go from here.
In fact there have been subsequent courses where the evals have gone down a bit.
And there have been matches where we have won.
But I have been able to enjoy all these moments, whether winning or losing, or getting a perfect score.
I wouldn’t have always enjoyed them.
In my early years as an instructor I would have focused on the imperfections. I wouldn’t have seen the wisdom of losing.
Am I wiser because I’m older?
I hope not!
I believe it is about focus and passion.
When I am focused and passionate about what I’m doing:
• It’s about the process not the result
• The challenges are shifted to opportunities
• I appreciate when it goes well because I know what it’s like when it doesn’t!
As long as I keep this perspective, there really isn’t only way to go when you’ve achieved perfection or total disaster. Rather a myriad of alternatives which you seamlessly flow between.