Not as Planned

I had a solid plan. Everything was set-up to go perfect. I had a solid foundation that would get me to the end of my year. But then it didn’t happen. Very little went like I thought it would. How can so much change in one week? Going back to last week's post, I ordered the two books. I had my list of two people that I wanted to talk to. Again - SOLID PLAN! The two books arrived and they were actually very quick reads. I knew I would have them both finished in a few days. Those two books would lead me to having some difficult conversations. Those conversations would lead me to an increase in production and employee morale. The increase in production and employee morale would lead me to having a great ending of the year. Easy, no problem. Here is where everything gets complicated. I hated the books! As soon as I opened up page one of the first book, it wasn’t what I was expecting. After finishing the first book, I remained positive and started the second book. The first fifteen pages or so, actually pretty good. I was feeling positive. Then it went back to the way the first book was and I hated it. I felt like I had just wasted almost a week. I had my first conversation at work as soon as I got to work, everything went as expected. The second conversation still hasn’t happened. Everything that was supposed to help me finish strong went south. So now what?  The easy answer is to step back and do some self-reflection. What went right, and what can I improve? What went right?  I had one of my conversations and learned a few things during the conversation. The books didn’t work out, but I have a library of other books that are waiting for me. Not the end of the world. What can I improve? Be more patient. Just because I haven’t had the second conversation doesn’t mean I lost the chance at having the conversation. Improving anything takes time, slow down. Now I need to regroup. Other issues came up, I need to make sure that those things are taken care of. Over the last six months, I’ve lost some people on my team. How do I make sure that when they are replaced, they are better than who I lost? I’m worried that the workforce has changed but the business world hasn’t caught up. I think even a few years ago you had six to twelve months to get someone up to speed, I think that number now is less than three to six months. So the plan has once again changed. You can try and fight the change, but I think it’s a losing battle. If you are going to be successful at a job you need clarity and the tools to do your job. Can I give them that? That should be an easy answer, so how come I am struggling. I remember hearing a quote a long time ago, “ What the farmer prays for, the fisherman fears most”.  In order to do his job, the farmer needs rain. If we have a bunch of rain, the fisherman either can’t do his job or his job is very difficult. Sometimes what I think I need most, is the exact opposite of what someone else needs to do their job. I keep thinking of that when my plans don’t go like I want them to. I’m not seeing the big picture. If I want to be successful the rest of my year, I need to see the big picture. What does everyone need to do their job? I really look at this last week as a setback. Nothing big, but I took a step back. Now I need to find a way to use that as a way of looking at the big picture. The big picture, that sounds like a good title for next week.