Often, I hear people say, I'm doing my best, or, That's it, I've given it all I can give. I can identify with these comments, can't you? Sometimes, we tend to beat ourselves up, for not doing more. In fact, we often do that when we've done more than enough. To a degree, it's about knowing when to let go. For me, letting go continues to be a challenge. That's because I can get too attached to a project. I continue to learn that being able to truly let go is a process. One needs patience, practice and persistence.
Don't know about you, but for me a diversion is usually very helpful. In fact, writing this blog is a welcome diversion from being concerned about stuff I have no control over. For instance, I'm waiting for a number of projects to kick in. Therefore, I need patience, optimism and faith. Because without these three things I become lost in the coulda woulda shoulda syndrome. For example, Could I have done better? Would I like them to do something...? Should I have done...? Remember, the past is over, we can't change it. We can only control that which is in our power to change, which is the present.
Having worked with the very successful for many years, and I might add, researched and read avidly how the super successful became so. My findings are straightforward. For the most part, these people are great delegators, they are able to let go and move on swiftly. Usually, their expectations of themselves are realistic. That doesn't mean they restrict themselves, it does mean they know when enough is enough. So often, we push ourselves further than we need to, or than is actually good for us.
Something else the successful teach us is not to appear needy. When we recognise someone as being needy, we get turned off. Over the years, I've discovered that the successful have the discipline to be able to just turn off. It's as if they have an internal mechanism that enables them to close down. This one thing, enables them to take a break, therefore are able to focus on other aspects of their life other than just business. I believe each of us could take a leaf out of this book.
What I continue to discover is this: the less I do, the better the outcomes. For instance, recently I was invited to speak at a prominent London college. Before I went along my sponsor asked me to send him a detailed biography. Much to my surprise, I decided to send my generic biography. Unusual for me, as I usually very carefully tailor a response to fit with research I've done regarding a new project. As it turned out, my generic biography was sufficient, and my presentation went exceedingly well. As they say, often, less is more.
Some tips:
Be flexible - with yourself
Know when it's time to let go
Have a hobby that's not work related
Trust your intuition
Never allow any neediness to be seen
Don't depend on business activities to dominate your life
Be mindful as it relates to being reflective
Learn how to delegate