TRUST THE PROCESS is a new weekly video series by David G. Guerra, MBA.
TRUST THE PROCESS is Vlog meets a little Q&A or provides help on whatever you need or whatever I see people needing more attention in order to progress and grow personally or professionally. In this new series, I talk about why we must (on occasion) completely trust the process because sometimes the process is there for a reason and that reason is to helps us. We have to listen, we’ve got to follow it, and we have got to do it. I know most of us do not like following the process as most of us like to blaze our own trails. I know I would rather blaze my own trail but sometimes we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do to get it done. So Let’s Get Started!
For more information please visit the TRUST THE PROCESS page for more information.
“But that was yesterday. I had the world in my hands but it’s not the end of my world. Just a slight change of plans. That was yesterday. But today life goes on. No more hiding in yesterday. ‘Cause yesterday’s gone, ooooh!”
– Foreigner “That Was Yesterday”
So today is Sunday! For most places on the planet today is the first day of the week. It is the first day listed on the majority of the calendars I have seen in my limited travels around the planet. Sure there are unique and different calendars out there but none of them threaten the standard of Sunday being the first day of the week. With that being said let’s press on.
There is a song that I like a lot when it comes to addressing today and tomorrow and most importantly, in what place to put yesterday and the yesterdays before yesterday. If you have not guessed it by now (looking at the embedded video), it is “That Was Yesterday” by Foreigner. It was released in 1984 as I was starting my senior year of high school and challenges the future was about to bring me.
However. that was quite some time ago and yet, the song still reverberates as I like to go back to the music from time to time not to get stuck in the “days of old” but to remind myself that for as much as things have change they still remain the same.
Right now, another batch of high school seniors have graduated. They have fallen over the guard rail that was high school and are now falling head first beyond the precipice and into the future. The uncertain future. Sure some of them may know where they are going next such as College, University, Trade School, US Armed Forces, etc. but even then that is not a done deal. Yet, they, like I did so many years ago, moved into the future because there is no alternative to that option.
Moving forward can be a difficult thing or relatively easy.
It can be difficult for those that are stuck in their hay-day of high school. Almost all of us, know who I am talking about. That guy that is living his glory days of throwing the game winning touchdown or catching the game winning touchdown or that cheerleader who was the most popular for 4 years in her past. They are quick to let you know and don’t forget their cronies then, that for some weird reason are their cronies now. WHY?
Then there are those that have moved on. Sure we look back every once in a while. However, when looking back it helps to use that backward glance to adjust your course as you navigate into the future. Remember the old adages, “you can never go home, again” or “a ship in port is not doing its jobs.” All that means you have to keep moving and not resting because resting means too much time on your hands. Once you find yourself with too much time on your hands you start you remember. Unfortunately, when people reach that point they start to remember the good times. Of course, they also look at the bad times with such anger and ferocity that the reasons are obscured as to what cause the bad times. They start to look for causes and usually they neglect to see themselves as a possible cause. That’s when things start to go askew.
Things go sideways because they want answers they may never ever get because others have moved on. That’s when the past gets tangled up in their present. In mixing the past with the present they begin pushing the future to the side. Folks, when the past overtakes the future there is no room for growth. The past is like a pool of stagnant water. It sits there, going no where. It just sits there getting murky, stinking from the pond scum. Eventually the life that was in that stale, stagnant pool will die, think of a pond that has depleted its oxygen. Sure it might be nice to look at but eventually the fish and other life in it will die. Once the fish die they will float to the top and start to decay. What was once teaming with life becomes a ugly, muddy, dirty mess that no one will want to come close let alone even think about.
Yet, those stuck in the past will find themselves believing that others created the dead pool of water that is their past. Obviously, completely oblivious that no one would touch that swamp gas filled pool of ugliness with a 10 foot pole. Yet, they continue believing someone else (not them) is responsible for the mess that continues in their lives. Thus, the cycle of not moving forward continues.
Folks! Those living in the past included, remember that it is NOT too late to turn looking toward a brighter and better future by just cease letting the past become your focus. Turn to face the future. It is the future we can change with a word, an action. The past is like a library filled with the thoughts, actions, and deeds of a time gone by. We can check them out but like all libraries we have to return them by the due date. And if you don’t return it by the due date there will be a fine.
Imagine, how wonderful the future you make will be. And yes you can check out the past. Do not fear thinking about yesterday so long as you remember ‘yesterday is gone”.
The holiday season is one of the most stressful yet wonderful time of the year. I know, I know tell me something new.
However, it seems that each holiday season is unique and never the same. As a leader, it now falls on you to lead and guide your team, your followers, your organization during the holidays and into the new year. Remember, after the first of the year there will be another 300 days until the holidays kick off, again.
Now let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. There is still plenty of work to do. There is always plenty of work to do but with the holiday season there are a few things that make work during the holidays quite unique: Time Slows Down, Employees Are Eager To Disconnect, Increase Need For Family Time, and Being Socially Active
• Things Then Slow Down
Allow the pace of the season to dictate the pace of your organization. By keeping things flowing and moving along you have allowed the tone to be set for the rest of the season. This means that as things pick up, let them. Then as they slow down, let them. However, do not allow the members of the organization to forget that it is still a place of business and work still needs to get done. There are calls to be answered, emails to be read, widgets to be produced, orders to be filled, invoices to be paid and so on.
• Employees Are Eager To Disconnect
The holiday season is also a great opportunity for employees to move beyond the everyday and into a world of pleasure, leisure, and times of old. Their minds will want to wander to what they will wear to the company Christmas party or what their Secret Santa will bring or whatever other seasonal thought enters and stays in their mind. As previously mentioned you have got to keep them focused and on tasked. Most importantly, be sure to emulate what you want them to do. Because if you start to slack off, rest assured this will quickly want to become a situation of what is good for the goose is good for the gander.
• Family Time
You hear it all around you. Christmas and the Holidays are the time for family and friends. Make absolutely certain that you and those you are responsible for have the time to attend those family functions. Remember, you were once where they are now. You remember that one boss that did not care about what you wanted to do with your family. Actually, that boss cared about making sure no one screwed up so she could enjoy her time away. Encourage those that are parents to communicate early and often on what is going on. Then if your organization can organize schedules then adjust accordingly. When it comes time for your organization do something (i.e., Christmas Party) be sure to include the kids.
• Socially Active
Historically, this is the time of year you and your organization makes a socially responsible impact. Before you go off looking towards those organizations try looking inward before you look outward. Seek out and find those members of your organization that need a little extra help, push, and/or support. Help how you can and then look outward. Seek out those non-profit organizations you deal with and create a new bond with them. Not just for the holidays but for all year long. For example a local food bank, or homeless shelter or some other organization that you and your staff can become part of by supporting not just money but in service or product. THINK Outside the Box for all 365 days.
The time is now! The most wonderful time of the year is upon us and with a little communication you, your staff, your organization can make this wonder and magic of this holiday season last all year long. Give it a try.
