Servant leaders focus on what they can control, and don’t worry about those things they can’t control.
As you know if you have been reading my blog for the last year, I have a maple syrup operation. Last year at this time, it was 70 degrees, the ice was off the lakes, we had no snow on the ground, and the sap was finished flowing from the maple trees.
In the last week I woke up to sub zero temperatures most mornings, cars running around on the lakes like it was January, 2’ – 3’ of snow on the ground, and a forecast that says the sap won’t be flowing in the immediate future, as there is no sign of 32 degrees for another week. What a difference a year makes.
The timing as to when the sap will start flowing is clearly out of my control, so I can’t worry about it. Instead I prepare. I can control the preparations so we are ready when it does start flowing. Focus on those things that you can control!
Preparation is always something that you can control. I really like to focus on the saying Easy-Hard / or Hard-Easy when thinking about the benefits of preparation. The harder you work on things today, the easier they will be in the future. Contrarily, if you take things easy today, it will usually make things harder on down the line. The harder you prepare, the better the outcome of what you were preparing for.
Think about utilizing this thought process in the following situations:
Practice / Game
Developing a Shared Vision / Future of the Organization
Building Relationships / Team Effectiveness
Saving Throughout Your Career / Retirement
If you take it easy in practice or preparation, game time will be hard. If you do the hard work of developing a vision of your organization and insuring that it is shared throughout, you will have an easier time of achieving your vision. If you take it easy on building relationships, your team effectiveness will be hard. If you do the hard work of saving throughout your career, retirement will be easier from a financial standpoint.
Using this analysis works on many aspects of leadership and life.
Focus on those things you can control, put in the hard work early, and I think you will find things become easier down the road.
Mark
David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it.” So David made extensive preparations before his death. 1 Chronicles 22:5
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My dad always used to tell me “You can work hard now, or you can work hard later. But no matter what, you’re gonna have to work hard at some point. You choose.”
Vinay
Vinay,
That is right on, and great advice! And it seems the longer that you put off the hard work, the harder it will end up being. Thanks so much for your insights!
Mark
I remember reading about the Easy-Hard/Hard-Easy in another blog. I’ve never really thought about work like that. Truthfully, I only work hard on the things I really care about. I have a feeling that if I started working more on every aspect in my life, then things would be a lot less stressful. As it’s the last month of the semester, I’ve found myself trying to prepare for all of the final projects. I’m leading a campaign project for one of my classes and I’ve been trying to work on preparing ahead of time in order to lead my group effectively. However, it has been a bit difficult keeping everything under control. Thanks for the blog! I really needed to hear this.
Chelsey
P.S. I’m sorry you haven’t been able to collect any sap yet. I know you’re really excited about the maple syrup business!
Chelsey,
I’m glad this was timely for you! It is true this is applicable in about every aspect of your life. The harder you work and prepare today, the easier it gets down the line. I wish you the very best on your final projects as well as the campaign project you are leading. I’m sure you will do an outstanding job!!
I am hoping the sap will start running late this week. Time will tell, but we are prepared for when it does.
Mark