Hi Friend,
What a week. We had our Culture Shot HR Edition on Thursday. It was a bit of a cluster, technically speaking. I was in Minneapolis broadcasting from the Stone Arch Bridge, which was bitter cold. The team was back in the studio office in Edmond. We had run through everything, but when it started we had weird issues with zoom rooms and my audio disconnected. UGH.
Of course, I was most aware. Really what happened was we had a spectacular gathering of pros and content that was compelling, interesting, fun and generous. So.Much.Goodness transpired. Excellent thoughts and perspectives that will catapult us into 2023. The disruptions were more painful to me than anyone else.
Also this week I’ve been putting words and slides to my message around #BestDaily. It’s an epiphany I had last January. I met with a veteran speaker for a day of coaching. He challenged me in several ways causing me to consider my emphasis. We talked mostly about my Ownership Message, but when I returned home, I expanded my considerations to our mission.
“Shaping Environments Where Everyone Gets to Contribute Their Best Daily!” is that mission. I generally had focused on the “Shaping Environments” part of it because that’s how I think about Culture. Out on a 7 mile run the thought dropped in my mind (& heart) about focusing on the latter part. “What if I considered what bringing our best daily looked like?”
Over the course of this year, I’ve been talking about it, thinking about it, and incorporating some verbiage into every time I spoke. I had considered infusing it in my Ownership Message. I bolted it on the front of all my messages. I’ve had my own mini-trials and attempts at living my own #BestDaily existence. Finally it has come together in a meaningful way.
Process, Process, Process
Everything takes longer than I would prefer. That is a regular theme in my life. One that, in some form or fashion, I still resist, though not as aggressively as I once did. I’m not as forceful as I used to be. I don’t enjoy, but do appreciate the percolating and marinating that transpires under the surface, while effort is being made above ground.
On more than 1 (or 100) occasions I’ve been advised to “Take it slow.” Why is slow better than fast? Why isn’t “go faster” a regular encouragement? I’m consistently sharing that thought with people in cars who are ahead of me. You and I think that when we’re waiting in a check out line at the grocery store. Certainly when put on hold with customer service, our thought isn’t “I wish this process was slower.”
Slow vs. Fast
Is one better than the other? Both refer to my friend Time. I don’t believe the passing of time alone creates any results. It’s what we do within that time that matters. From learning to healing to growing to being, how we utilize each day determines how fast or slow the results appear. Granted in nature a seed doesn’t become a flower overnight by sheer will. The nurturing process is required, plus the surrounding elements accommodating.
The friction is in the process. Patience is a virtue because it magnifies our self control, our appreciation for the unknown and strengthens our faith. Action is a virtue because it magnifies our commitment, our appreciation for the opportunity and reveals our faith. Applying which and when is wisdom.
Between you and me, there is a better alternative than either of those: CONSISTENCY. Don’t go fast, don’t go slow… go consistent. Consistency produces the most accurate result at it’s best. If we can muster or master consistency, the pacing will always be on time.
Instigating Ideas
1. Is there someone further along your journey you need to spend time with who will challenge you?
2. This time of the year is excellent for revisiting and reflecting on your mission. Could a refocus shift your priorities?
3. Are you working the process?
4. Where do you need to speed up or slow down, whichever applies?
What I love about the new #BestDaily message is it’s built around going to concerts. You know all of my messages are analogous, so reflecting on all the live shows I’ve attended in recent years and in my youth has been a fun trip down memory lane. In those encounters I always wanted them to slow down, so the experience never ended.
Part of the challenge in the Slow vs. Fast conversation is that “fast” feels like we are “rushing through”. Have you ever listened to a podcast at 1.5 or 2x speed? It lets you extract all the information from the podcast, more quickly, yet without sacrificing content.
I’m just trying to extract as much of life as I can out of each day!
Sometimes those days are lazy. Sometimes those days are packed. Finding our own rhythm is essential. Finding people who hear that same beat is the best! I hope you are living your #BestDaily at whatever pace you go… Just go consistent!
I would love to hear how you work within the process of growth, goal-achievement, becoming, relationships and so forth, that all entail different speeds. Have. you been accused of going too slow or acting too fast? Please Share!