Hi there,
Happy Monday!
Here’s your weekly dose of The Monday 3: a quote, an insight and an action I’m taking.
A quote I’m pondering
Values and vulnerabilities are poured from the same vessel.
Prof. Kelly G Wilson
An insight
A business owner I was working with loved his work.
After a hugely successful exit, he’d bought a brand new house with his favourite fishing on his doorstep.
But the drive to work was relentless.
2 weeks after being in the new house, he was back at work, travelling, fully immersed.
5 years later he’d fished twice.
13 years later, the “panther” that stalked him had consumed his marriage and threatened his relationship with his kids.
When I asked him what the purpose of the hard work was, he summed it up in a word:
“Survival. I want to fall across the finish line and know I’ve survived.”
I asked him a few questions:
- What does the “finish line” look like?
- When will you know you’re there?
- What if you never stopped working?
- Could you turn the drive for survival into contribution?
There is a difference between running from fear to survive and harnessing fear to contribute.
The first is all consuming.
The latter allows space to bring everything into alignment.
We all have a panther.
Do you harness yours as rocket fuel for contribution and meaning?
[Contact me if you’d like to discuss how to handle yours.]
An action I’m taking
I’m practicing catching people doing things well.
Whether that’s my new team member or my junior water polo players, I’m making opportunities to give extremely specific feedback on successful execution.
I want them to double down on their strengths and know when they’ve nailed a task or technique.
Is there one of these that really stood out for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts or suggestions whether that’s a favourite quote or something else.
I hope you have a great week ahead.
With love,
Toby
