You have done everything you can.

You have …

… queried.

… questioned.

… listened.

… learned.

… examined.

… observed.

… consulted.

… communicated.

… clarified.

… confirmed.

… persuaded.

… encouraged.

… influenced.

… informed.

… guided.

… coached.

The outcome though, is not in your hands.

Now it is up to them.

“When we tell people to do their jobs, we get workers. When we trust people to get the job done, we get leaders.” – Simon Sinek

“We cannot change what we are not aware of, and once we are aware, we cannot help but change.” – Sheryl Sandberg

You have created the expectation.

The group is hyped up.

There is an energy about the place.

Everyone is motivated.

People are looking to push forward.

Looking to deliver and get things done.

Great!

Now for the real work.

You need to back it in.

Follow it through with the same energy.

Otherwise it will start to unravel.

The enthusiasm will slow and erode.

The energy is sapped.

Until the expectation is not met.

Sure, you could create another expectation.

Though next time they will be wary.

Better to follow through that first time.

Then you will get to do it again.

And again.

“Expectation is the root of all heartache.” – William Shakespeare

“Life is largely a matter of expectations.” – Horace

Keep going.

You will get better.

Keep improving.

You will develop processes.

Keep delivering.

You will cultivate consistency.

Keep excelling.

You will produce reliable results.

Keep showing up.

Your value can not but show through.

“The good news is that more than ever, value accrues to those that show up, those that make a difference, those that do work that matters.” – Seth Godin

“Eighty percent of success is showing up.” – Woody Allen

Who is holding you back?

Keeping you down?

Identify them and limit their influence.

Who is pushing you forward?

Pulling you up?

Maximise your time with these people.

Take a look around.

Be intentional with those you choose to surround yourself with.

“People inspire you, or they drain you – pick them wisely.” – Hans F. Hansen

“Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you.” – Richard Branson

You’re overthinking it.

Making it too complicated.

Getting too far ahead of yourself.

So, slow down and break it down.

Into smaller steps.

Simplify the complex.

Now just do the next step.

“You don’t actually do a project; you can only do action steps related to it.” – David Allen

“Stop thinking, and end your problems.” – Lao Tzu

When giving feedback, you have a choice.

You can offer the feedback, or not.

Be it either positive or constructive.

You can deliver it.

You can wait for more data points.

You can discard it.

What are you going to do with the feedback?

When receiving feedback, you have a choice.

You can take the feedback onboard, or not.

Be it either positive or constructive.

You can accept it.

You can wait for more data points.

You can discard it.

What are you going to do with the feedback?

“It takes humility to seek feedback. It takes wisdom to understand it, analyse it and appropriately act on it.” – Stephen Covey

“We all need people who will give us feedback. That’s how we improve.” – Bill Gates

If you are a Leader.

Your team has ideas and solutions.

Just ask them.

If you have colleagues and associates.

These peers are a source of advice and counsel.

Just ask them.

If you are a new member of a team.

You are surrounded by experience and knowledge.

Just ask them.

If you are establishing an endeavour of your own.

Others have gone before you.

Just ask them.

“It is not so much our friends’ help that helps us as the confident knowledge that they will help us.” – Epicurus

“You will find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those that ask for it.” – Dumbledore

There are things that can be put off.

Sure, putting them off may not amount to much in the short term.

Eventually though, these things will mount up and catch up.

Paying off the credit card.

Clearing the inbox.

Going to the dentist.

Calling a family member.

Packing.

Doing the receipts.

Trimming the hedges.

Cleaning.

Homework.

Maintenance on the vehicle.

Maintenance of anything really.

Filing.

Giving feedback.

Drinking water.

Decluttering.

Sleeping.

Saying “I love you”.

“Putting off an easy thing makes it hard, and putting off a hard one makes it impossible.” – George Horace Lorimer

“Well I think a lot of times we’re putting things off and I’m going to do it later. I’m going to break this bad habit or I’m going to pursue this dream or I’m going to treat my spouse better.” – Joel Osteen

There are both pros and cons.

For the options available.

For any change.

For the decision.

Human nature tends to focus on the cons.

Thoughts dwell on the negatives.

Contemplating only of the downsides.

To the detriment of the pros.

It’s not all bad.

Don’t forget about the positives.

The pros are part of the outcome too.

“When these difficult Cases occur, they are difficult chiefly because while we have them under Consideration all the Reasons pro and con are not present to the Mind at the same time.” – Benjamin Franklin

(Excerpt from a letter to Joseph Priestley from Benjamin Franklin, 19 September 1772)

You want to do it all.

Fit in everything.

You have aspirations and goals.

People to meet.

A schedule to keep.

Things to be done.

On the work trip.

Your vacation.

For the day.

The week.

The month.

This year.

Your life.

Are you trying to pack too much in?

“You only have to do a few things right in our life so long as you don’t do too many things wrong.” – Warren Buffett

“Much of the stress people feel doesn’t come from having too much to do. It comes from not finishing what they started.” – David Allen