Several things contribute to this week’s look at leadership, beginning with a statement that an associate of mine made to me. She said, “Sometimes ruts choose you and sometimes we choose our ruts.” I immediately knew that this was going to be a topic for discussion. My associate is right: sometimes ruts are forced upon us by circumstances, failed leaders, or just not paying attention! Before you know it, you’re stuck in what has been referred to as a grave without a top! The other way a rut can happen is by our choice, which often comes because we get into habits and routines that become comfortable and safe. Change is always a scary proposition, especially when it threatens our sense of security. After a long enough time in our rut, we may not like it, but it’s familiar and we feel at home. It may also challenge our financial security if we try to escape. That’s one reason why people tend to stay in a job they don’t like. They may hate it, but it is nice to know the paycheck will come every other week. The problem with ruts is that once you’re in them, you aren’t going anywhere. You stay stuck and the hopes and dreams you have never come true. This happens to people and it happens to organizations. Ruts are not a good thing whether they have been forced on you or if you’ve chosen them.
This leads me to the other things which contribute to this post. I was sent a great article that dealt with 7 Ways to Become Remarkable by Dan Rockwell, published at leadershipfreak.com. Number two is “Do less of what you did yesterday.” I read that and thought, “That’s perfect!” If there is a rut in my life, one of the things I must do is to stop doing what got me there in the first place. I need to do less of yesterday’s activities. I think that this is crucial for all leaders and their organizations to master. In order to get from where you are to where you want to go, you have to stop doing the things that got you stuck in the rut. Do less of whatever it is that put you in the hole. Today must be different than yesterday and tomorrow must be different than today. That’s a simple and great statement that we can all adopt.
The final contributor relates to the concept of “doing less…” This is a statement that, on the surface, sound odd, humorous, and a little irresponsible, however, I’ve heard Bob Goff, author of Love Does, speak about this on numerous occasions and it seems to be working very well for him as a leader, successful lawyer, and advisor to those who want to make a difference in life. He speaks about the importance of being extremely strategic in what you choose to do, who you do it with, and why you do it. He has developed a habit (here is the odd part) of quitting something every Thursday. Sometimes it’s a little thing, but sometimes it’s a huge deal. Bob goes through a weekly evaluation of priorities and activities and quits something so that he can make room for new things (thus, doing less of yesterday). When asked why he quit it, he says “It’s Thursday!” It’s amazing to hear him actually say it! He does this in order to be available for the next great idea, and I believe it is great advice to all of us who want to make a significant difference in life.
If you’re in a rut, get out of it as quickly as possible. Do less of what you did yesterday and focus on the future. If it happens to be Thursday, quit something! Make room for the remarkable things that are awaiting you, if you have the courage to step out of your rut and into the future.
Lead well.