On a shelf above my computer stands a figurine of Alfred E. Newman, an icon from my teenage years, wearing a placard with his famous saying written in black "What, me worry?" I was huge Mad Magazine fan. (Every month I couldn’t wait to fold the back cover and discover the hidden picture.) Did you realize that there was one issue where Alfred proclaimed "Me worry!" It was after the Three Mile Island accident in 1979.
Having worked in the Nuclear Industry for several years (I worked at TMI for a bit too) I understand many of the technical details of the accident and the science behind how and why reactors fail. I mention this so it gives my words more credibility when I tell you that I believe that fear, worry, lousy communication and misunderstanding caused the accident to be significantly worse in terms of human suffering then it should have been. It's similar to what's going on with our present day economic hysteria.
Yes, there are serious problems in the world today (as there have always been throughout human history). That's a part of the ebb and flow of life. However, worrying and dwelling on how "bad things are" is the worse way to live through these changes. Here's what I continually remind myself (and have written on my bulletin board to the right of Alfred):
Never Regret the Past or Fear the Future.
In practical terms here’s how you do it. (These tips will do wonders for your employees too.)
Don’t Watch or Read Much News.
When we continually hear about the harmful behavior of humans it hurts us. People are generally good and loving.
None of us are perfect but most of us humans want to be a “good person.” So, don’t fill your mind with madness. I watch very little news yet I still have a good idea what’s going on in the world. More important, spending time thinking, watching and listening to more positive information helps me be a happier, less-worrying person.
Schedule Time Every Day to Revel in Your Blessings.
Every day, while I’m in the shower, I think about my blessings and how wonderful it is to be alive in this “modern time.” We have easy access to all kinds of music, food, travel, information, art, partying etc. The list is fabulously long.
You try it. Schedule a time each day when you purposely dwell on your blessings. Sure you can and should do it throughout the day. But we easily get so busy doing things that we don’t. Include a brief “count your blessings” item in your next meeting agenda. I’ve done it many times and the meeting always starts off on an upbeat energized level.
And finally, don’t forget to Never Regret the Past or Fear the Future. That's my motto. It may not become as famous as "What me worry?" but it works for me. If you make it your motto is may help you too. Try it. |
