I was thinking about a quote from Seth Godin that I had seen some time ago. It really brings to light what often happens in organizations when we lose focus on what is important. I always come back to this and reflect when I feel like I am getting lost in the moment………

Instead

What would have happened if you and your organization, instead of working on today’s crisis, built something worthwhile for tomorrow?
What would have been discussed instead?
What would have been designed instead?
The urgency of the day feels like an appropriate reason to step away from the important thing we might have been doing instead.
Weeks or months later, we don’t even remember what that urgent thing was. All we have to show for it is the thing we didn’t build.

I think this lends itself to reflection about leadership and the idea of getting caught up in the moment instead of keeping the long-term focus that allows for growth.  Whether it is growth in ourselves or in those we are leading.  The process of growth requires deliberate planning and action to move the needle towards accomplishing your goals.  I think this can be the biggest thing to separate good leaders from great leaders and certainly increases the chance that growth will occur.  Knowing your purpose is a very big factor when we get lost in the crisis of the day.  When you know your purpose, which comes from understanding your Why, you are much less likely to get caught up in the “Instead”.  This is because you are deliberate in your actions, have focus, and know where you are going.  This topic brings several bigger topics together and we will talk about them more in-depth in the future, but Seth Godin really brings the essence of getting caught up in the moment to the forefront and illustrates how impactful this can be in the future.

Stay focused Instead……….