Ever have one of those weeks? I tell myself that when I am running around with my fire helmet on putting out fires I am doing something wrong somewhere (ideally, I aim to avoid disaster, not provide disaster relief). Last week (alright, alright, for the last two weeks) I needed a super soaker, a plain ‘ol extinguisher wasn’t going to do the job. There was no routine or potential to address my daily tasks in my normal ultra organized and zenful fashion (whatever). It was all out rescue.
There was a time in my early management days when I would have attempted to put out these fires with gasoline, maybe kerosene if I was not paying attention. I would have been noticeably stressed (understatement), most likely somewhat curt with my communication with the team and the potential for a “woe is me – this is impossible” party would have been pretty high. I am relieved and grateful those days are behind me and I must confess the lessons I forced on myself and my team were not pretty.
So the end of the month was here (payroll, KPI’s, books, receivables, yadda yadda), a reception staffing crisis of epic proportions, vacation schedules making filling the absences (plural…big plural…huge) unattainable (preposterous), some equipment challenges and multiple acute decisions that needed my complete attention and needed it now (fire ! Fire! FIRE!) are just the beginning of the last two weeks.
The most important conversation I had that fateful Monday morning (oh yeah….did I mention…it was a Monday) was with myself. I saw the handwriting on the wall, the storm clouds were coming and I knew there was going to be sacrifice and it had to begin with me.
I think back on the mentors in my life that provided example, taught without condemnation, were able to build up confidence while still holding me accountable and I give a silent thank you and hope to someday be able to embody their teachings and pay it forward.
Now excuse me, while I go take a nap or eat some chocolate, whatever comes first.