Monday
Jun162008
Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Monday, June 16, 2008 at 7:33AM
As a business owner it's all too easy to get wrapped up in schedules and appointments and all the responsibilities that come with business ownership. It's even easier to think that success or failure depends upon our every move. WHAT A JOKE!
One thing business owners need to realize is that the way they go about things, the way they live their lives, is only one of many possible alternatives. The decision could have just as easily gone the other way. The product could have just as quickly turned out to be a failure. The location is probably one of several that could have worked. My point is this, most business owners spend so much time agonizing over details and trying to make sure every last angle is covered that they often lose perspective. Sometimes you just get lucky. Sometimes you succeed in spite of yourself. And yes, sometimes it has nothing to do with you.
The problem with taking yourself too seriously is that slowly you build yourself into a prison of your own making. People around you start to perceive you as the up tight, controlling, narcissist that has to be involved in everything. Your staff watches as you assume responsibilities that are supposed to be theirs and they smirk with satisfaction when you realize a setback. These people are no fun to be around because they operate in a world where mistakes aren't supposed to happen and people aren't supposed to act human. On the rare occasion when these types of people let their guard down others don't trust them and often use such vulnerable moments against them.
Here's a prescription for those of you who may be taking yourself too seriously. First, ask yourself what's really important. Listen to this story from a recent NPR broadcast and see if you feel like you're missing out on something. Life isn't all about work or being right all the time.
Second, laugh. Watch a good comedy, read a funny book, hang out with people who have a good sense of humor. Laughter is something no one should go a day without. Those people who radiate the most joy are those looking for an excuse to laugh. If you want to experience joy hang out with a three year old all day. They wake up in the morning and their sole purpose in life is to play and have fun. When was the last time you gave yourself a whole day to have fun?
Third, listen more than you talk AND give up being critical. Most people with this problem have a way of bursting onto the scene, issuing a flurry of instructions and disappearing back into a cloud of frantic activity. Slow down, ask good questions and take the answers with you. Avoid the temptation to solve every problem on the spot. Acknowledge a difficult problem and let someone else come up with an answer. Sooner or later you'll learn it's not all about you.
One thing business owners need to realize is that the way they go about things, the way they live their lives, is only one of many possible alternatives. The decision could have just as easily gone the other way. The product could have just as quickly turned out to be a failure. The location is probably one of several that could have worked. My point is this, most business owners spend so much time agonizing over details and trying to make sure every last angle is covered that they often lose perspective. Sometimes you just get lucky. Sometimes you succeed in spite of yourself. And yes, sometimes it has nothing to do with you.
The problem with taking yourself too seriously is that slowly you build yourself into a prison of your own making. People around you start to perceive you as the up tight, controlling, narcissist that has to be involved in everything. Your staff watches as you assume responsibilities that are supposed to be theirs and they smirk with satisfaction when you realize a setback. These people are no fun to be around because they operate in a world where mistakes aren't supposed to happen and people aren't supposed to act human. On the rare occasion when these types of people let their guard down others don't trust them and often use such vulnerable moments against them.
Here's a prescription for those of you who may be taking yourself too seriously. First, ask yourself what's really important. Listen to this story from a recent NPR broadcast and see if you feel like you're missing out on something. Life isn't all about work or being right all the time.
Second, laugh. Watch a good comedy, read a funny book, hang out with people who have a good sense of humor. Laughter is something no one should go a day without. Those people who radiate the most joy are those looking for an excuse to laugh. If you want to experience joy hang out with a three year old all day. They wake up in the morning and their sole purpose in life is to play and have fun. When was the last time you gave yourself a whole day to have fun?
Third, listen more than you talk AND give up being critical. Most people with this problem have a way of bursting onto the scene, issuing a flurry of instructions and disappearing back into a cloud of frantic activity. Slow down, ask good questions and take the answers with you. Avoid the temptation to solve every problem on the spot. Acknowledge a difficult problem and let someone else come up with an answer. Sooner or later you'll learn it's not all about you.
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