Flying used to terrify me. I didn’t take my first plane ride until I was 19 and it was a real experience – flying from Los Angeles to Exmouth, Western Australia, all told about a 28 hour flight. My fear of heights of course was a factor but what really bothered me was the feeling of helplessness, a lack of control.
Of course now I’m pretty much over it all considering I fly somewhere around the country to lead workshops or to speak nearly every week. I’m also convinced it’s much safer to fly than to drive. I do in fact have safety on the plane even if I can’t go up to the cockpit and take over the controls. By looking at what I can control, the other fears seem to fade.
Several years ago, I worked on a project with Federal employees, helping them write self-assessments for their performance management system that was then known as the National Security Personnel System (NSPS). The system was very unpopular among Feds as it was the first radical change to their pay and performance system in about 70 or so years. For them, the fear went along the lines of lack of control and potential subjectivity.
My message to them was always the same: Focus on what you can control, not on what you can’t.
- They couldn’t control potential favoritism but they sure as hell could work as hard as they could.
- They couldn’t control subjectivity but they could take time each week to document their performance for a comprehensive self-assessment.
I think the lesson works for all of us. Focus on what we can fix and what we can control and work that as hard and long and viciously as we can. It’s empowering and liberating. NSPS is long gone, but hopefully those lessons about personal accountability stayed with them.
This week, take some time to list all the things you have full control of: your work ethic, your attitude, your personal development, etc. Then make a commitment to add to that list each day and work each item as hard as you can. It’s a great way to reduce victim-stance and help you achieve your personal and professional goals. I’m going to try it – won’t you join me?
