The delusion of continual growth
Some years back I had the opportunity to sit in on the sales and management meetings at a large auto dealership. After a short while a pattern of thought in the meeting began to take shape and each subsequent meeting I sat in on thereafter followed the same disturbing pattern, one of demanding, expecting continual growth in actuality.
Their reasons and motivations were evident, income. The dealership needed to sell vehicles to make profits for the year and each salesman also required sales to secure their income for living. It wasn’t the drive or ambition that caught my attention it was the management delusion that continual growth was not only expected, but was an absolute accepted fact.
They truly believed that there should be no time when sales would “drop off” and not show constant and consistent growth. Each month and year would grow to surpass the previous without digression in any manner from this upward ladder of productivity.
It is interesting that many of the businesses that I review have similar thought. They view business and production as a golden road that need only be followed. The surface will be smooth and few if any potholes and dangers will exist right from the first day they open the doors. Then they are shocked when things turn out differently.
We all want to improve and make progress in our lives. Every company in existence has that same mindset. Grow or die, make money or perish. However, it is the natural ebb and flow process that dictates times of gain and loss. Without a downward turn or at least stability the upward turn could not even be identified. Up and down must exist in a synergistic relationship. One cannot exist without the other.
Was it possible for the auto dealership to show continual growth over the years without any setbacks or slowing of sales? Certainly, but it is more probable especially with fluctuations in the economy that they would see good months and bad months just like the other businesses around them.
It was fine for them to approach their salesmen in a meeting with ambitious talk of projected record sales and commissions, but the managers should have a reasoned comprehensive grip on the fact that constant growth without slippage was improbable and virtually guaranteed not to occur over the long term. To accept and foster within self this ardent belief of constant growth was to create a delusion that brought great stress and anguish to them in times when actual growth faltered and their mindset pattern collapsed.
Over the years I have found that individuals also adopt this mentality regarding their life. They truly believe that they will awake each day and that everything will be perfect and productive. They seem oblivious to the fact that setbacks, delays and issues beyond their scope of influence exist and will eventually affect their lives in some way.
This is a natural part of living and interacting with others. Setbacks will always exist so expect them. If you don’t you will spend a large portion of your valuable time pondering what went wrong and why. Give your very best and accept the results you get. Then if you know in your heart and mind that you gave full effort the results will be disappointing, but not tragic.
You will be able to move on in a new fresh attempt to get better and better results instead of standing still ruminating over what has happened.
Positive thinking is fine, but comprehensive thinking defines both good and bad.
Results are the substance of living and teach us valuable lessons in how to refine life.
Cherish both the good and bad for what they provide and then move on decisively.
Downturns and setbacks are nothing more than the messengers or signals of change. They provide us with valuable information to be studied in the quest for better results that define quality and success in life.
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Are you guilty of slicing
I travel a lot so I have plenty of time to observe the personality of others come out in the manner in which they drive their vehicles on the open highway. I am frequently amused and sometimes alarmed by the decisions reflected in the public driving habits.
Darting and dodging about as they seek advantage over the other drivers. In double or more lane traffic some choose to race by on the left and then “slice” back across in the right hand lane as soon as they identify a gap large enough for them to wedge their vehicle into.
A “gap” that is often visible only to them and not to the remaining drivers around them.
In most cases, this slicing process is a decision based on the Human Triggers where frustration and irritation initiates feelings that motivate the person to drastic and often uncharacteristic actions. They feel held back or delayed and seek to “get around” the vehicles that they have labeled as interfering or slow.
When the Human Thermostat level is low you are naturally impatient and feel constantly impeded. That person may also be triggered by feelings of loss or competition if they view themselves as having lost position when being passed by another.
Suddenly the motivation to “get it back” causes them to speed up and at times this competition evolves into a mindless and dangerous situation that borders on being completely out of control as drivers assign specific personalities to other vehicles based on reaction. Once they identify with each other the race is on to see which can get ahead or go faster.
We slice into line while driving our vehicles, at the store, in restaurants and often when we are totally unaware of the fact. Quality as a human being is defined by your thoughts and decisions. If you want quality results in your life you need to make quality decisions. Life is what you make of it.
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Redefining quality in your life
Do you hate Mondays? It’s surprising how many people actually start to dread the first day of the week while they are still trying to enjoy their weekend. I love Mondays!
Most people get up on Monday morning with their minds focused on how much of a drag and burden their job and responsibilities are going to be that week. They are constantly focused on the negatives ( or possible negatives that may not even occur ). There is little or no thought given to goals for the future or gratitude for what they already have.
This is your opportunity to awake refreshed and ready to start anew. You can use each morning to redefine the quality of your lifestyle and your direction in life. Even if last week was filled with difficult challenges, Monday morning is a chance to start out fresh by revisiting your goals for that day, week, month and year.
Each and every day is what you make of it. If you awake absolutely convinced that your day or week is going to turn out bad, it will. Challenges and concerns will always exist so don’t be surprised or disappointed when they do show up. Take a moment each morning to plan new goals that will keep you focused on achieving what it is that you really find fulfilling in life instead of wasting your time and mental energy on worry and useless shallow ( I want to ) functions.
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When 100 percent is not enough
Recently I chanced upon an interview with a top professional tennis player immediately after he had unexpectedly lost in a major tournament. What caught my attention was the mature manner in which he thought about and accepted this loss. He was visibly very disappointed, but was somewhat consoled because he felt that he had given 100% of himself while on the tennis court.
Here was the consummate professional, the very best in his sport and his response to those reporters was why he was the best. Not only was he honestly willing and truly committed enough to give everything he had within, he also understood that the score was not necessarily linked to that effort. Sometimes 100% just isn’t enough.
As a teen I was impressed with John Wooden, the former UCLA basketball coach, who directed his players with two primary thoughts in mind.
- Practice the fundamentals and techniques until they became habit patterns.
- Give absolutely 100% of yourself in everything you attempt to do.
Not only did the Wooden era teams create a dynasty of national championships, but many of his players excelled in their studies at college and later in their careers after basketball. They could rejoice in the fact that they had come that far, even if they weren’t always number one.
Take a good honest look at yourself and your efforts in life. Do you give even 90% of yourself each day to improve your lifestyle and career? Perhaps you should.
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A smaller piece of the pie
As a parent one of the things I get plenty of experience in is refereeing the sibling rivalry each day. This is a natural by-product of the original only child having their world fractured and distributed out to one or more rivals.
Remember, before the other little ones came along everything was at the sole beck and call of the first child. Now they struggle with thoughts and feelings of being slighted or ignored as part of their social time is spread out over all of the members of the family.
The oldest child likes to set the rules and boundaries for the younger siblings. They often want first choice and the largest portion and this includes the time allotted by parents. They are usually the first to become territorial and sensitive to privacy. As a parent you must be alert to the signals being given by an oldest child.
Mutual respect and the recognition or acknowledgement of responsible thought by any child goes a long way toward developing an attitude of acceptance and ambition in that child.
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