Category: Leadership

Why Are Things So Complex?

Life has a way of becoming complicated, and it is only through great effort that we can keep it simple. How do you keep things simple?

Lao Tzu has said, “In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.”

I think much of life’s complexity resides in our mind. It is the thinking process that creates a list of “what if” scenarios and creates complexity in our decisions. Some people struggle making decisions when the projected outcome is not clear. It is the unknown that also adds to complexity. So what can we do to keep it simple?

Know yourself. Know your values. Know your priorities. Know your goals. Don’t let perfect get in the way of better. Be willing to make mistakes. Be willing to learn from your experiences. Be bold.

Keeping things simple is not easy. It takes work. But the result is usually more clarity.

Overcome Your Fear

Our greatest accomplishments are often linked to instances when we are able to overcome fear. Fear is a barrier that keeps us from being the best version of ourselves. It is the fear of failure that usually keeps us from taking action.

A quote by Ambrose Redmoon says, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” This quote reminds me that it is easier to overcome fear when we are fueled by desire. A desire to achieve something that is important to us.

Fear is not eliminated. We just find we are able to temporarily ignore it. Just enough to act.

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure,” said Paulo Coelho.

Fear can also feel like uncertainty. We hesitate, or we miss an opportunity because we are uncertain. I have a friend that is always saying, “Know your plan. Work your plan.” The work becomes taking action even when you feel stuck by adjusting.

Where do you need to adjust your perspective to overcome fear?

This Too Will Pass

Nothing in life lasts forever, and with time, all things change. Do you feel like your life is in an unhappy state? Are you stuck in a rut? It will pass! Sadly, this also applies to the good times as well. All will fade with time.

We should have plans and goals, but we can be assured that life rarely follows the best laid plans. Learning to face the ups and downs with a positive attitude can help smooth our path. Today’s challenges will only be history tomorrow.

We can’t control all the factors that affect us each day, so what can we control? We can learn to maximize the sweet times and minimize the sour ones.

Do You Want to Give Better Feedback?

Giving feedback to others is time well spent, but most of us fail to spend enough time to give effective feedback. Here is a list of things to consider when you want to improve your feedback skills.

  • Give feedback frequently.
  • Make the feedback timely.
  • Keep feedback simple.
  • When feedback addresses behavior that must be corrected, provide the feedback in a private, neutral setting.
  • Focus on the situation you observed, and how it affected you.
  • Describe behavior. Do not speculate on motive.
  • Communicate the impact of the person’s behavior.
  • Be prepared for unexpected information.
  • Reinforce positive behavior through feedback.
  • Catch people doing things right.

Giving feedback can feel awkward at times. But through practice, you can improve your skills. Be humble and authentic, and you can have a positive impact.