We are not superhumans

Yesterday, March 17, was World Sleep Day. It was also the day when Jose Mourinho slammed the Premier League for an over-congested fixture schedule and claims that injuries to his players were an accumulation of fatigue.

Is your lifestyle destroying you?

In our hypercompetitive 21st century world, convince themselves that to be successful in their endeavors, they must sacrifice sleep and rest. They confuse working long, hard hours with achieving results. I used to foolishly believe this to be heroic.

Those who work closest with me used to tell me that I start too many initiatives, spreading myself and the team too thin. inevitably, efforts and energy of the team gets diluted and either the results disappoint or the troops start to leave. My experience in recent years has shown me that the best results are when we do what counts. We must accept that we are not superhuman.

As much as we should pace ourselves, a leader should also value and respect everyone's time. When you carelessly let meetings overrun, start late or impose last minute or short deadlines, you disrespect your people. Many leaders  are so hell-bent on winning, "moving the needle", get the highest ratings, rankings and results, that they treat people like objects.

I have been able to sustain a high-performing team over time because I refuse to resort to harsh, stress-inducing tactics. I need energized, motivated people all working together. Unlike popular beliefs, business and life are not marathons, but instead a series of sprints. Pacing works. Hard work is not the answer.

 

No discounting the power of friendship

Braulio Guerra, a Mexican politician has climbed the fence that separates Mexico from the United States to show President Donald Trump his plan for a border wall is "absurd, reported The Independent. The proportion of Americans who oppose the wall has increased since election day, from 54% to 62%.

Back in the 17th century, Sir Isaac Newton said, "We build too many walls and not enough bridges.” In the 21st century,Tony Robbins paraphrased it, “The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships.”

There is no discounting the power of friendship. The burden of the journey of life is too great to bear all on our own. We need the help of others, we need support and encouragement.

Working in an organization can be tough, demanding and frustrating at times. We often have to handle pressure from all sides. Sometimes our performance is dependent on the contributions of other people. We have to be kind to unkind people.

How many of you are like me, to have resigned from a job because of difficulties with someone you work with, or someone you have contact with for work?

Our teachers are numberless and may take the form of friends and adversaries. According to an ancient proverb, "We have no friends; we have no enemies; we only have teachers." Being in my 50's is a defining time.....I try to find wisdom in whatever form it appears. No experience is ever wasted because every experience contains a lesson.

Don't lose touch with the friends you value most. Those who accept you as you are, and who know you very well, are worth more than anything in the end. This is a man speaking from experience. Don't let life get in the way. Just always know where to find them and let them know you appreciate them in the meantime.

Max Lucado has this to say: When you are in the final days of your life, what will you want? Will you hug that college degree in the walnut frame? Will you ask to be carried to the garage so that you can sit in your car? Will you find comfort in rereading your financial statement? Of course not. What will matter then will be people. If relationships will matter most then, shouldn't they matter most now?