Action vs Stability
Just get up and act.
Over analysis cause paralysis. Sometimes
we get it right and sometimes not. We have the ability to rewrite and recreate
We
all go through moments when we feel paralyzed to act. It can be complete or
partial depending on the perceived enormity of the task. Last year, I excitedly
completed the manuscript of my book and with full faith embarked on the journey
of publishing it. The entire process though frustrating at times, was enjoyable
and a learning experience. As the book neared completion, I started wondering
how will I promote or publicize the book. My thought process gravitated more
and more towards ‘how will I do this, will I be able to do it, I hope I do
well’.
Our
mind has an infinite capacity to stretch and learn something new. And, this was
definitely not the first time that I was trying something out of my comfort
zone. Although I was in action, I allowed my imaginary perceptions about the
future, the process and outcome to dominate my state of being. Aspiring for
perfection (which is most subjective) hinders getting the work done and also,
over analysis causes paralysis. I have always thrived on challenges. What happened
this time? I lost sight of my vision – sharing knowledge.
“I
really wish I was less of a thinking man and more of a fool not afraid of
rejection.” Billy Joel
The
means to a goal keeps changing due to dynamism in the environment. With the
advent of social media and other technological advancements, obsolescence has
become a severe challenge for many businesses. Many businesses have little
option but to keep redesigning their way of doing work. Often people choose the
tried and tested route or hold back from taking action because it may appear as the easier thing to do. We pay
the price of diminished opportunities for growth.
Let
us ask ourselves, are we getting caught in process of doing things and our self
constructed perception of our abilities and outcomes and thereby, limiting
ourselves. Also, is stability or inaction truly ever an option?
I
have come across clients who have a preference for stability. Often when there
is a shake up in the job or a need to stretch to the next level, there is
inertia or sometimes, even resistance to change. Some executives prefer to stay
in the same job because of fear of failure or a perceived inability to fulfill
the demands of the next job. Working for many years in a particular role or
organization or industry, some people develop the belief that they are not equipped
to do anything new and different.
On
the other hand, there are people who leave a stable job and choose to explore
their passion, hobbies, dream job and such. Or some extend themselves and test
their potential at various levels. For instance, Farhan Akhtar for his recently
released movie, Bhag Milkha Bhag trained for over a year and half to fit the
role. Many actors physically train and research exceptionally hard to slip into
the demands of the character.
The
zeal to learn and challenge oneself repeatedly is what distinguishes leaders.
While climbing a mountain or competing in a race, you can either focus on the
finish line or keep looking at the hurdles along the way and get disheartened
and disillusioned. We of course, need processes to accomplish our vision but if
the mere thought of those processes makes us freeze or raise our expectations
and create anxiety, introspection and reflection of our thoughts and
perceptions is required to clear the fog.
“Life
is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where
people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind
of death.” Anais Nin
How can we stay aligned with our vision?
We
all need a vision – an inspiring vision that is so deeply embedded in our whole
being that we are motivated to pursue every action passionately to achieve our
vision. Our vision could be as simple as raising a happy family to as expansive
as being a leader of a country. Every act of commitment contributes to the
society. However, often the lure of the world, our impulsive behavior or lack
of clarity distracts us from our path.
To
accomplish a target or picture a dream, many actors, artists, sportsmen etc
adopt visualization as a technique. Visualization requires concentration and recreation of all the
images, sounds and feelings in the mind surrounding an activity in the likely
physical environment. Walt Disney
visualized the famous character Mickey Mouse while traveling on a train and the
concept of the theme parks came alive while watching his daughters play on a
merry-go-round. Arnold Schwarzenegger says that he applied the principle
of visualization, which he learnt in sports to his career as an actor and
politician because the more clearly we see a goal and believe in a goal, the
higher is our power and motivation to turn a dream into a reality.
Communication
is another powerful tool to stay on course because it reinforces and validates
our ability to achieve. In organizations, in heady or difficult times, senior
management sometimes gets engulfed in day-to-day operations and crisis
management. We often lose track of what we set out do and get absorbed in
activities that take us further away from our goal. Meeting as a group and
reviewing the mission statement is a helpful mechanism to step back and realign.
Often,
even when people get aware of this distraction, they keep hoping and waiting
for the right moment. There is no such thing as the right timing, right
circumstances. The timing is right the moment we decide to get into action. The
title of Richard Branson’s book, ‘Screw it, Let’s do it’ says it all. Just get
up and act; our inherent nature is to learn and evolve. Sometimes we get it
right and sometimes not. Remember, we have the ability to rewrite and recreate.
