Staring at a blank page . . .

Who here lives a “full” life?  One where it seems you never have enough time to get done what you wanted to accomplish?

The answer is that everyone has a life that’s full. What’s different for us is what we choose to use to fill it.  Whenever I hear someone say they don’t have enough time, I truly am skeptical.  It doesn’t seem like they’re bored.  In fact, when you ask them, they say they’re “busy.”  When you ask what they’re busy with, there is rarely a good answer because they really don’t know.  They just know they’re exhausted being busy.

Whenever I make a surprise phone call to friends, our first question to each other is, “So, how are you doing?”  I usually answer, “Man, I’m full and I love it !!”  Then we talk about the amazing things going on in our lives, our families, our friends and our work.  I do my best to get off the HR “what’s the new project” talk to make sure that we talk about all facets of our lives.

There are days that do seem to get away from me.  I’ve given up the notion that I control much at all.  Being in HR, I truly want to be in a position to move things forward while including everyone around me as much as possible.  I look at each day as a blank page.

This isn’t some idealistic, pie in the sky, you really can’t live that way approach.  It just allows for things to happen at different paces and within the flow that they need to occur.

I mentioned last week that I’ve been on this crusade to list 3 great things a day in my journal.  At first, I looked at the blank page in front of my journal and the regular anxiety of what to write crept in.  “Would it be interesting enough?”  “Am I just going through the motions?”  “Did anything great really happen?”

Now, the words pour out of the pen themselves and I stop at 3, but I could write pages and pages.  You see, before doing this, being busy was easy and it followed the path of everyone around me.  I was frustrated.  I felt overwhelmed and out of control.  That’s lessened considerably because having the blank page is honestly welcoming.

As you start this work week, and your to-do list is already 14 behind when you roll over to hit the snooze button – stop, breathe, and start over.  Start with a blank page and let your day be filled with the great things that are sure to happen to you.

Remember, when you hit the office, you’ll be running into people who are already “full” and won’t be able to get past being busy.  Help them out.  Add them to your page and see what stories unfold !!

 

4 thoughts on “Staring at a blank page . . .”

  1. This is a great way to approach things. I think this is why it is also important to take mental breaks from work. We are so connected now that our brains never have a chance to disconnect from work. I plan to try this!!

  2. Steve – I have to tell you that every time I see my new post on Facebook for your Everyday People post I look forward to reading it so very much. You have a way of making me smile as I read your great posts. Thank you for being a great HR leader, a great person and a friend to me and so many. I can’t wait to see you in a few weeks and catch up!! Amy

    PS I have started a Happiness Journal and have been writing entries for the last week – it is truly amazing how many great things we do in our days that are so “full” 🙂 Mine are full of life, full of family, full of great HR experience and so much more!!

  3. Steve:

    Simply stated thank you so much for your leadership and perspective. I truly look forward to your posts each and every time!

  4. Spot on Steve – when it comes down to it control is an illusion. We can of course choose our attitude, how we approach stuff matters. And blank pages rock, try doodling and drawing on the next one – see where that may take you? Cheers – Doug

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