Enjoying the Win

Last week, I was at a client’s offices and in the meeting room they had a picture titled “Face each problem with a will to win” with a picture of athletes in agony (marathon runners by the look of them). I admire the sentiment. Determination, tenacity and will gets you far.

BUT.

It’s the agony bit that bothers me! Yes, ok, winning is all good, getting to your goal is a magnificent thing…but in business and in life these days it is all too often at the expense of your physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health…and I can’t see that as good no matter which way up I look at it! I mean, what’s the point of getting to your goal if at the end of it you are mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually depleted? It’s different if the thing you want to do pushes you to your limits (marathons, mountain climbs etc), but in your normal life? In your business day? I don’t think so.

This poster seemed to be from the ‘nose to the grindstone’ school of workplace motivation. And having been self-employed for the last 7 years, I can tell you what a crock of sh** that particular ‘motivation’ is! It is ineffective, demotivating and ultimately, pointless. So I had a think to come up with something that I think is a bit more inspiring. How about “Face each problem with curiosity, a sense of humour, a joyful smile and a determination to have a laugh while finding a solution”? With a picture of smiling, happy people?

Obviously this will never catch on in the workplace while we insist on being sober, serious, sensible and having our noses to the grindstone for 40 hours a week…but I live in hope that one by one we will wake up and realise life is for enjoying (even when at ‘work’!) What would the inspirational poster on your wall say?

Love

Donna.x