One definition of ‘challenge’ is a call to engage in a contest, fight, or competition. We hear a lot about challenges these days, especially in reference to the economy…”These are challenging times or Especially in these economically challenging times.”
To adapt in “challenging” times it is critical to put the boxing gloves on and accept the call to engage. When I talk to people in transition-due to job loss or a lack of connection with their current job-those struggling most are failing to accept “the call to engage.” From young graduates to seasoned professionals, their capacity to engage in the interesting lesson of cause and effect is leaving a lot of unanswered questions:
– More than 20 years after graduation, a college alum tells me he has been unemployed for more than a year and he is struggling to keep his house in this economy. He has a very marketable degree, but never held a job longer than three years; in several jobs, he stayed less than one year. When asked: Is it possible that the problem lies with you and not the economy? Have you considered looking outside of your zip code or in another state, since your degree is marketable despite the economy? His response was “No” followed by rambling excuses blaming others and then, defensive silence.
– An MBA graduate says she’s been looking for full-time employment for 10 years while working temporary/contract jobs. She blames the economy. When again asked: Is it possible that you might be the issue, because the economy hasn’t been bad for 10 years? She vehemently said NO, stating that she always performs excellent work. She was then asked: Do you have that in writing from any of the managers you have worked for in the last 10 years? She said no, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t performing well.
– A young college graduate tells me that she would rather tend bar than work in her field as a gopher. When asked: Which path will likely help you to the upper half of your degreed field: starting at the bottom and working your way up, or tending bar until a top position opens requiring your degree, coupled with no industry experience and several years of bartending? She said she makes more money as a bartender vs. starting out in an entry level job; I said: why can’t you do both?
Transitioning from where you are to where you need to go isn’t easy; it requires you to become connected to the cause and effect of your actions, and to own them by taking responsibility. To engage in something successfully, especially in a competition or fight, you must have the ability to take a punch and respond with a counter punch (meaningful reaction)-and remain standing. You aren’t engaged if you just take the punches, without bothering to move, change or get out the way.
To think that you are engaged when you are making little effort while expecting big results, finding excuses for staying where you are, blaming someone else, or just being blind to the lesson of cause and effect-only makes you bitter instead of better.
There are many roads to success and the trip will include numerous challenges requiring us to change lanes, change directions or just change scenes. How we engage in these challenges determines whether we grow up taking responsibility, or grow old rejecting it. Even a car can’t keep the same tires forever, because change is good for the drive.
Written by: Gwendolyn M. Ward, Principal at FOOW?
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