Give Easy A Whirl
October 2006
Ever had the feeling of pushing a boulder up a hill? The mental and emotional equivalent of straining, grunting and sweating, while not making much progress? It’s not the prettiest picture, but I’d place a hefty bet that everyone reading this has been there, probably more often than you’d like. I certainly have. And as much as I hate to admit it, I also know (deep, deep down inside) that I can make things harder than necessary.
It’s funny how you see it right away when being done by a friend or colleague. You pipe up with a suggestion that, from your perspective, seems quite obvious and there’s thunderstruck silence. Followed by, “Why didn’t I think of that?” And it’s no surprise. We’re all so busy with the details of getting things done and problem-solving, while juggling far more balls than ever thought possible, no wonder we don’t stop and ask the simple question, “How can I make this easy?”
Not long ago one of my clients, who had recently taken a new position within her company, was working really hard (as in giving yourself a headache kind of hard) to decide how to share some new concepts with her peers. She saw a real opportunity to make a difference, but because this fell outside her core job, worried her boss would see her as presumptuous or even worse, arrogant. “Ask him,” I suggested during one of our coaching conversations. Silence, followed by a laugh and then, this comment: “Well that would sure be easier than trying to guess what he thinks, wouldn’t it?”
Next time you find yourself struggling, stop and ask yourself, “What can I do, right this minute, to make this easier?” Maybe it’s a change in attitude, an alternative path or asking for help. Your answer might surprise you, but whatever it is give it a whirl. You never know, easy just might be the ticket to living your day the way you want to live your life.
"When I hear somebody sigh that life is hard, I am always tempted to ask, Compared to what?"
~Sydney J. Harris
© Copyright 2006 Sherry Essig, All rights reserved. You are welcome to use this article for reprinting in any ezine, website, or print journal as long as it appears in full and you give full attribution including the website: www.PriorityVenturesGroup.com
