One of my favorite preachers is Mike Breaux, and he describes the “same old life” this way.
“You get up at the same old time, shut off the same old alarm clock, walk in the same old bathroom, look at the same old face in the same old mirror, get in the same old shower, dry off with the same old towel and put on the same old clothes.
Then you walk down to the same old kitchen, get out the same old bowl, pour the same old cereal and eat it with the same old spoon, drink the same old coffee, read the same old paper and kiss the same old wife. After that you get in the same old car, drive the same old way to the same old job, sit at the same old desk and laugh at the same old jokes the same old boss tells the same old way.
You clock out at the same old time, get back in the same old car, drive down the same old street, pull into the same old garage, hug the same old kids, walk back into the same old kitchen and sit down and eat that same old dinner.
Finally, you walk to the same old family room, sit in the same old recliner, watch that same old TV show, fall asleep in that same old chair, get up and go to the same old bed, ask that same old wife that same old question, get that same old answer, then roll over and set that same old alarm clock and get up the next morning and do the same old thing all over again.”
That story makes me laugh but also hits too close home. The “same old same old” mentality is driving me crazy, especially at the Y. We keep doing the same old programs the same old way expecting different results. Isn’t that the definition of insanity?
IBM once surveyed over 1500 CEOs. In the interviews, CEOs said that creativity was the leadership quality they valued most. Creativity offers new risks, new ideas, new ways of influencing and communicating. Creative leaders invite innovation and encourage others to move past outdated approaches and take balanced risks. They are open-minded in expanding their management and communication styles, particularly to engage with a new generation of employees, volunteers and members.
The IBM study asks:
• How will you develop the critical capabilities to enhance creativity among your leadership team?
• In what ways can you explore, reward and integrate diverse and unconventional thinking?
• What is your approach to challenge your current business model to get the most from currently untapped opportunities?
• How will you leverage new communication styles, technologies and tools, both to lead a new generation of talent and encourage breakthrough thinking?
After you read this, will you respond the same old way?
1 comment:
Yes, and the "same old same old," is an understatement unless one is intentional about creating their own space. Even when teaching, I sought out the latest tricks of the trade, changed grade levels, and looked at each year as a new beginning. I taught school for 30 years and eventhough I did not know what retirement would hold, I was anxious to close the public school teaching chapter and move to another. But there again the everyday mundane is especially true when one retires. But I looked for new adventures. One thing that I have noticed since retiring and becoming an associate with Freedom in Christ Ministries is that some work places provide their employees a training time. Not for staff development for their job per sec. Business are beginning to offer spiritual direction for those who want to participate. For a given time each day groups cover for each other to provide for each other an hour of fellowship and discipleship time. I teach classes focused on "Learning One's Identity," in light of God's Word. In this class each person begins to evaluate their identity based on who they are and not what they do, have done, or have not done. Would love to offer a class for your employees.
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