Objects appear closer than they are !
I have once again taken my own twisted little turn in a conversation that I had with a good friend this week. I am able to share very frank and candid conversations with this confidant and they have provided me many an inspiration for this column.
The discussion was based upon a person who merely forges ahead in their professional and personal life at all costs.
Now in general this might sound like an admirable trait and forward thinking should always be better than dwelling on the past but in some cases we felt there might be some difference.
I am sure that you all know people who are like this. The person who has used everyone they met, and every opportunity they have had, not for the betterment of others but merely for their own use. They use people and opportunities to get they own personal mission accomplished.
These people (supervisors, leaders, etc..) have left a trail of carnage behind them and they really and truly know that and that is why they never look back. It is the survival mechanism of the truly arrogant and self centered.
They have spent little time in any one position or rank, because after people catch on, they must move on.
I think you know the type.
So, what can we do to balance forward thinking, and not dwelling on the past? Well my suggestion and parallel this week is based upon driving an automobile.
The windshield (facing forward) is very large, and wide and offers a tremendous view of where we are going. It is that large and wide so we have a clear picture and obstructed ability to make a decision.
Just as important in any drive is our rear view mirror and side mirrors. These mirrors are much smaller and we do not stare in them constantly but we reference them and look at them every once in a while so we know a variety of different things.
We know if someone or something is gaining on us and we can adjust our speed. We know if a big truck is going to ram us. If we swerve wildly and cause an accident we can see the accident in our rearview mirror and realize how close it was.
This look to the rear is very important and helps us adjust our drive.
I guess my point is this simple....every once in a while you should look behind you and reflect on the things you have done. Those good things and bad things. Look at the people or coworkers that you have hurt and insulted and stepped upon in your personal and professional climb.
There is an Internet joke going around that says be careful whose toes you step on in the way up the ladder, they may be attached to some other part of the body you may have to kiss sometime later!
Did you ever wonder if Custer had a rearview mirror he might have noticed some Indians?
And in parting remember when using a mirror the title of this piece contains the common warning....Objects are closer than you think! Those folks who are in your past, you may think are very distant, but in their mind it was much closer than that!