Waiting Is OK

One of the time mastery experts from whom we heard during our recent Time Experts Telesummit talked about the way we are conditioned to react to stimuli.  He asked listeners to reflect on how they react to things such as a newly arrived email, a ringing phone, a doorbell, a fire alarm.  And I noticed that all of those things have the power to elicit a response that has me immediately leaping to action (although I’m pretty sure that in the case of a fire alarm, that particular response is likely the preferred  one). 

Beyond the obvious time management implications, it also got me thinking about other ways in which we might unconsciously be called to action before we are ready to act.  And I think this is often true for those of us who feel Lost in Corporate America.  The issue becomes, “What if I really did know what I wanted to do instead of what I’m doing now?  What then?”  It has the possibility of setting us up for a  heaping helping of dissonance once we are even more keenly aware of the gap between where we are and where we would prefer to be.  But as long as where we want to be remains shrouded in a mysterious mist, we are sort of off the proverbial hook.  I mean, why take action if I can’t really answer the question, towards what? 

And yet I invite you to consider the possibility of spending some time and effort focused on what you really want work-wise, without making up that you then must immediately get into action.  It’s the action part that can often seem scary.  So give yourself permission to just be with the question:  what elements need to be present in my work so that I feel a sense of fulfillment and purpose?  And then just notice what you notice. 

You can always get into action.  For now, just be with the question.  It’s enough. 

 

Written by Alan Roby on behalf of the Bill Baren Coaching