Last month we shut our office down, our lights, our dashboards, almost everything was turn off.
But not us, as we approach darkest times, I’ve been continuously talking with my team.
We started a conversation about what we thought would happen in the near future.
How our families were holding on. How it was to work remotely. How our minds were coping. And that reminded me of a paradox I’ve read a few months ago in the book called Good To Great, from Jim Collins. I apologize if you haven’t read it yet because I’m going to give you a little spoiler (feel free to stop reading.).
In the book, Jim explains the Stockdale Paradox:
“A way of thinking that shows the future is not for the optimistic, no. Because the optimistic believes you have to think positive and things will just work fine. Well, sometimes they don’t. Expectations kill success.“
However, those who commit to prevail despite the brutal facts will own the future.
“ Retain faith that you will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties. At the same time, confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.“
It’s not about working on expectations, it’s understanding that purpose will win overillusion. It’s how we deal with the inevitable, as we maintain Faith – we can’t afford to loose faith – this in not only about survival but overcoming adversity.
And also, it’s about learning the discipline to embrace both feelings of having a clear viewand of making better choices. And perhaps you are reading this and thinking: you’re crazy.
Have you seen these virus?
I understand. However, what is the end game?
Have you seen how many people are engaged in helping others?
That families are now getting closer more than ever?
Have you seen how our air is getting purer?
What I’m trying to say here is: keep faith.
This pandemic awful virus brings us different choices. It shapes us to be persistent, to thinkinside our homes, our work, ourselves. The year just started and how many times we’ve already asked ourselves how we could perform better, not only for the company we spend most of our time (and I hope you love) but for us as well? What do we want from here on out?
So go on!
Clean your desk, watch the news so you can catch up.
Say a prayer and start your remote work day confident it will be an amazing day.
Because we’ve survived long enough to know incredible opportunities will come.
