Hang in There?

Yesterday was a particularly rough day. For one it’s April, the sun was out, not a cloud in the sky, and the humidity was around 30%. For us sinus sufferers this means, pollen looking like snow falling during a winter’s storm. Working for myself gives me the leisure of giving myself the day-off, which I did. So I closed the bedroom door, pulling the covers over my head, and keeping the curtains drawn.  FYI, I feel a bit better today, although the lawn care guy did just start mowing my lawn, oh joy.  

 My reason for even bringing this up is most of us don’t have the opportunity to take the day-off. Many of you have a schedule to keep, which means, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds”. Here is why businesses plaster the halls with affirmation posters like “seize the day” or the classic, “Hang in there baby”.

 Now I don’t really have anything against affirmations or kittens hanging from trees (maybe I do with the poor kittens). I suppose the point is, how fair are we being to ourselves? By that I mean, it’s great to be perceived as “the go to guy” or “the company man (woman)”, but what about you? Taking a good assessment of ourselves, our strengths and limitations, helps us measure just how good we are.

 In other words it gives us a realistic image of ourselves. When working on projects I know I’m good at breaking down assignments and setting project milestones. But I also know I can’t write complex programs and I have trouble with statistical issues. Having a realistic idea of my limits makes me a more valuable employee and leader. Setting ourselves up for a fall by taking on more than we can chew isn’t gonna win you admiration or praise. 

 To tie this up in a pretty bow let me say this; despite how much we all want to be winners, most of time we’re not. So just like I knew yesterday was just not a good day, you too have to know your limits. Life is too short to run ourselves ragged, so know your limits and seize your days.    

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