At Least We're Moving!
So many things in life can remind us how vital it is to enjoy the journey on which we are traveling. I tend to look at the glass half full. Frequently, while in traffic my husband will sigh and I find myself saying At least we’re moving! It’s an almost subconscious comment and I didn’t really realize how much I was saying it until he pointed it out during a particularly busy traffic jam, where his attitude was not quite as positive.
Just thinking about this phrase makes me smile now when referring to traffic. At least we’re moving! has become somewhat of a joke between us, but I realized quickly it’s also a good life principle. There are many emotional hurdles and roadblocks at halftime. When your job is re-defined, your relationship morphs into something you didn’t sign up for or your health takes an unexpected turn, it’s easy to freeze in your tracks and not move at all.
When Uncertainty Calls
Fear, uncertainty, discouragement and feeling overwhelmed sets in. Negative self-talk rears it’s ugly head to make you feel you’re not enough and you don’t have the ability or skills to move forward. At this point, there is a choice to be made. To move ahead, even slowly, or to stay frozen. We also have the choice to panic, or to relax and enjoy the journey.
To stop and honestly evaluate your next move is positive movement. To get help with a financial matter is positive movement. To line up care for a parent a few hours a day is positive movement. Just like sitting in Los Angeles traffic, there will be times of creeping along at a snails pace and times of moving faster.
As we know, all businesses also go through various speeds of growth. There are times that are incredibly busy and other times where you can watch moss grow on trees. There are choices to move to be made during both of those times. Even though it feels like we’re moving when busy, we may not be moving in the right direction.
Edible Arrangements
Tariq Farid, founder of Edible Arrangements that sells bouquets out of fruit cut into various shapes, faced this when the economy collapsed in 2008. During this time, he recalled the early days of his business when he had to make deliveries by bus or bicycle or how a snowstorm could totally derail his business and barely make payroll. His mother reminded him about his customers, Go take care of them. Then the money will chase you. To Farid, remembering, or to enjoy the journey gave him strength to continue on to even more success. (Entrepreneur Magazine, June 2019, p.104)
Some movement is just keeping up and going through the motions. Deliberate movement aligned with a defined mission and purpose will keep a business, as well as a life on course, even though it may feel like sitting in heavy traffic.
Enjoy the Journey These Three Ways
ONE: Add humor. Identify at least one way you’re moving forward and say to yourself, At least we’re moving!
TWO: Pinpoint one key principle. Is there a foundational axiom you are forgetting? Take the time to recall and reflect. It is time well-spent.
THREE: Evaluate your next move. Whether this includes honest evaluation, obtaining solid financial advice or lining up care for a loved one, all those actions will help you move forward.
Many principles in life relate and are reflected in business practices. To recognize and affirm some sort of forward movement brings encouragement, even though it may still be frustrating. When I catch myself saying, At least we’re moving when in traffic, it doesn’t make the cars move any faster. However, it brings a smile to my face and usually a small chuckle from my husband. I hope it does for you too!
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