At times, things can get pretty rocky at a co-op…people calling out, people giving notice, the new hire that is just not working out, crazy things happening on the sales floor…need I go on?
The grind of it all. With all its never-ending hassles, frustrations, and deflations of our spirit.
Before we know it we are descending into that place of feeling helpless and sorry for ourselves.
Lately this has been one of the more frequent topics I coach managers on.
So let me say this – I want to challenge each and every one of us to reconsider where we are placing our success and well-being.
If we’re postponing feeling better and waiting around for a time when crazy things are not happening on the sales floor, or all staff are solid contributors, or all our SOPs are in place, that waiting will turn into hopelessness.
Hope for a better future is not something that is provided to us – it is something that we can create on a personal level. It’s a mindset. A willingness to meet the challenges of the day and do what we can reasonably.
We can pivot our focus to navigating what needs to be done rather than hanging our happiness and sense of well-being on what we think the co-op, customers, and staffshould be at that moment.
We shift our focus to “who I want to be” given the circumstances.
When things are turbulent do I want to be resentful, hassled, self-pitying?
Or do I want to strengthen my ability to navigate challenges and difficulties?
Let’s allow ourselves to walk into our futures with our light bright and visions intact while we work to not allow transient circumstances to rob us of our very life itself.
We work in a co-op to make a difference and for our bread and butter, yet the work of focusing our thoughts and emotions in positive ways is what brings water to our spirits.
We have so much to give our co-ops, really the whole world, yet it will be seriously thwarted if we can’t lift our heads up under the weight of self-imposed struggles and disappointments.
We are dutiful, reasonable, and give it our all kind of people. So let’s make sure we are giving that same consideration to ourselves.
Take care of yourself so the world can better see the magic that is you.
Let’s not let challenges become a snuffer to our light rather an opportunity to let it shine even brighter.