W.I.N. Wednesday: Lessons From Life's Most Powerful Question - Timing is everything.
I recently had dinner with two people who understand and personify the W.I.N. concept. During dinner we had a discussion about applying W.I.N., especially to situations at home. As we talked I had an important revelation. It is not just about asking ourself What's Important Now?, it is also about the timing of when we ask ourselves that question.
How often have you been asked to take on an extra project at work or with that community group, work an extra shift or deliver a presentation that required you to travel out of town and be away from your family? How many times has your immediate default answer been yes? Once you had time to sit back and reflect, you realized that by saying yes to work, you were going to be saying no to something with your family. Then the internal struggle begins.
One voice in your head is saying, "It is an important project/presentation/cause and I am helping by saying yes." The voice in your gut however is saying, "I am going to miss the soccer game/dinner with the family again/helping my spouse with that project I promised I would help with, etc." The turmoil is compounded by the fact you would now like to back out of the work commitment but, 'you gave your word and you cannot go back on that.' You then beat yourself up for realizing too late What's Important Now?
The time then to ask Life's Most Powerful Question is before you make the commitment.
What's Important Now? - Change your default answer from 'yes' to 'let me get back to you'. Get as much information as you can, look at the impact of the choice, ask yourself What's Important Now? and then make your decision. Sometimes this will only take a few minutes, sometimes it will take considerably longer. Sometimes you will say yes, and other times you will say no. The time spent will be well worth it however, as you will be at peace with the decisions you make.
Take care.
Brian Willis
Committed to the pursuit of excellence through Life's Most Powerful Question - What's Important Now?
Contact me at winningmind@mac.com if you would like to have me speak to your team, your organization or at your conference.