We need more BS.
If you’re like me, life may sometimes feel overwhelming. We’re bombarded with irrelevant information, beeping electronic gadgets and unsettling news about our world. We have so many choices and decisions to make; so much information to decipher, decode and decide on. Whether it’s a new search engine project, a marketing idea or holiday plans, I keep telling myself, “It’s BS. Take it slow; I need to take Baby Steps.”
This BS (Baby Steps) approach is especially important to people like me who look for instant results. The BS mentality reminds me of what I teach people in my public relations and communication training programs. We have to set the table before we sit down to eat. We have to slow our communication down so we can take time to listen, think, feel and respond.
Our world and technology are moving at warp speed. After all we’re in a “Social Media Revolution.” That doesn’t sound calming and slow to me. Yet so much of what we do, especially in business and relationships, requires us to slow down and plant seeds that will eventually take root and produce fruit. Baby Steps.
Maybe this BS approach (a.k.a. patience) comes with maturity. In my leadership trainings, we talk about decisiveness. Strong leaders don’t act in haste. They are deliberate. They learn, read, analyze, understand, ask questions and study. They get clarity. They take Baby Steps. Then they make a decision.
We can function more efficiently and with less pressure when we use BS. You may want to try it.
(Photo Credit: Lisajhoney)
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I really appreciated this posting. In today’s world of “instant gratification” it is so easy to just jump right it.
I am one of the worst offenders of this. When I want something, I want it NOW.
I teach a lof of my clients that everything is a process. There is a natural order as to the process. You can’t do step 6 unless you have done the first 5.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the fast-paced world that we live in. We make mistakes, we don’t pay attention to the small details, we feel rushed and overwhelmed.
Make lists, “to-do” lists and follow the list. It is what I am doing, not only in my business, but in my personal life as well.
Baby steps and don’t forget to “back up the bus”!
Hi Susan,
You address a common leadership dilemma in a very well thought out manner. Most leaders I work with are under the misconception that if they do not make an immediate decision, they will fail. Of course there are some decisions that require swift action, but this is usually the exception to the rule.
If more leaders would adopt your BS approach (rather than the BS approach they endorse!), they would see long-term results. My business partner, Kelly Ketelboeter has a saying, “Practice makes progress.” It’s similar to the application of Baby Steps.
You are spot on: we are overwhelmed with technology that allows for constant contact and expectations of instant results. This is not creating thoughtful, decisive action: rather, it often results in poor decision making and additional stress.
Thank you for addressing an issue so many leaders encounter on a daily basis.
Cheers,
Jen
Hi Jen,
Agreed—leaders who fall into the trap of hasty decisionmaking and instant gratification add stress and other problems to their business. “Practice makes progress”—love it!!!
Best regards,
Susan
Chris-
Amen to the process, and I am with you in working on just jumping right in. The lists definitely help in keeping me on track. Thanks for sharing.
Susan