Sometimes You Need to Pivot
by Robert Hackman
Photograph by Ty Williams on Unsplash
And even in this generation living through computers
Only love, love, love can reboot us
Lyrics from John Legend and the Root’s version of the song ‘Wake Up Everybody’
Common’s rap portion
The above list is entirely too long for me to remember, yet I love it nonetheless. There is not an item on it that we cannot do more of to benefit ourselves and others.
It has been a bit of a challenging time for my family. I took my wife to the Emergency Room early Sunday morning a week ago. She was in extreme pain, highly anxious, exasperated, and almost entirely non-verbal.
Fast forward to today, after spending almost nine days in the hospital, she is back at home despite many missteps and mistakes by the medical community. I am still grateful for the care she received.
I got sick the same day I took her to the ER. We each remain ill and, thankfully, are on the road to getting better.
I had begun writing an article on the hazards of cliché that have become so prevalent across social media and our society that they get us into trouble and about how we need to be willing to go deeper to live lives of consequence – which we all want.
However, it has been a challenging week to write – hence the need to shift gears.
I am offering some pithy statements – vital, compelling, relevant, and concise. They are the antithesis of cliché because they provide genuine value.
Captivated by the significance of Everyday Legacies, which is our impact on others in every interaction and what we leave behind, I find the messages shown above and below remind us of the possibilities available to us at any time.
They speak to the power of authentically relating to others during a loneliness epidemic. We have it within us to open ourselves to others more than we realize.
It is often not a matter of whether we can or cannot do something. It is more likely we find ourselves in specific situations we do or do not take action. Consequently, our decisions regarding how we interact with others have much more to do with willingness than capacity.
We continually face decision moments throughout every aspect of our lives. Our ability to act and influence remains in the present.
How we respond to these decision moments over time ultimately determines our life’s direction, leadership quality, and collective Legacy.
Clichés and platitudes won’t do it. It is critical to get on with doing what matters most to us to live and lead with fewer regrets for the benefit of ourselves, others, and the planet.
Worthy Considerations:
- What does living more fully look, sound, and feel like to you?
- In what ways do you contribute to others’ happiness?
- What keeps you from slowing down and seeking what is true for you and others?
- What shifts can you make to open yourself to relating more openly and honestly?
- How can you Love better?
Please connect with me to hone in on what most to you to raise the quality of your leadership to benefit you, your family, your team, your organization, and your community. I welcome the conversation.
Robert Hackman, Principal, 4C Consulting and Coaching, helps people live and lead with fewer regrets. He grows and develops leaders through executive coaching consulting, facilitation, and training of individuals, teams, and organizations. He is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He facilitates trusting environments that promote uncommonly candid conversations. Rob is also passionate about the power of developing Legacy Mindsets and has conducted over 50 Legacy interviews with people to date.