I have always adhered to two principles. The first one is to train hard and get in the best possible physical condition. The second is to forget all about the other fellow until you face him in the ring and the bell sounds for the fight.
- Rocky Marciano -
I've had a torrid start to my working week so far, plus an enduring headache day and night with lack of sleep thrown in as well because of the work situation. I've had to deal with my usual workload though, the pressures of the job which, because I work in heavy transport, shipping and logistics, is rather high. It's a demanding industry, cut-throat really and, whilst I usually do a great job handling the various situations, this week I've had some additional pressures which have caused me to become a little annoyed...When I say, a little, I actually mean a lot fucken annoyed.
I don't like feeling like this but it happens, because I'm human.
In the past it's caused strife through lack of focus, attitude and performance and I've been a little that way this week as well. Fortunately I know a thing or two to help mitigate the damage feeling like this causes. I applied those things over the last couple days and I began to have the thoughts and attitudes that would move me back towards the true me and the man I want to be. That is, in control, proactive, productive, hard working and results oriented...and no bloody headache.
Most of my frustrations revolved around a person up the chain, a regional manager, who has a lack of self esteem so pushes others around, cannot communicate effectively, is prideful and hubris-loaded, narcissistic, egotistical and simply ill-equipped to manage anyone at all. Unfortunately I allowed this person to poke away at me and...well folks, I'm not a person who reacts well to that sort of thing and I poked back...with a big, heavy fucken club.
Ok, so I didn't pulverise his noggin with a baseball bat or anything, but I called him up for a conversation and was abundantly clear about how I felt about him and his behaviours and the potential ramifications of them to the company. I left nothing out, and at the end of the thirty minute call felt a lot better...he probably didn't though.
I used the quote above as it aligns a little with some of the things I've learned throughout life and which have proven to help in situations like I've been faced with this week.
I've always worked hard to prepare myself for the things I needed to do be it physical, emotional or mental aspects. Being prepared is incredibly important to me and has been critical in some of the roles I've had to perform. Keeping my axe and sword sharp and my shield to hand has paid dividends; I mean that being prepared, skilled, showing ownership, responsibility and discipline have been the underlying factors to the successes I've had.
It's also been important to have laser focus on the right things and to let those that are unimportant to the process or ultimate goal fall away; this means I've worked to control the controllable things and let those I can't control fade away. That's laser focus.
The quote, by a heavyweight world champion boxer, talks about forgetting the opponent until the bell rings and that's a little like not worrying about things that are outside our ability to control.
There's little to be gained by worrying about uncontrollable things and much to lose, including one's focus. That's what I do in cases like this week when I face challenge after challenge; I focus on those things I can impact and move forward and that's what I did with the chap on the phone; I said my piece and moved on a little less burdened by the situation; I found a better feeling and moved back towards productivity. What's not within my ability to control is his reaction and possible implication of my candour, it's that which I'm happy to let fall away.
There's a time and place to worry over certain matters, and that's when those things matter, or as per the quote says, when the bell rings and one must confront the opponent or challenge. When they are of no consequence worrying about them will become a hindrance, not a help...but must must be prepared to deal with those things also, which is what this quote is all about.
What's your strategy to deal with challenges and adversity that arises in your life? Do you find focus and deal with those things you're able to affect or do you find you become bogged down in the quagmire that is trying to control that which cannot be controlled? Feel free to comment if you like.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
Any images in this post are my own
