Sailing into Wind

 

I’m no sailor but I do understand that it is better to have the wind in your sails rather than attempt to sail into the wind if you have a choice.

I hear so many people complain that they don’t like their work, their boss, their life. They sound like they are sailing into the wind. They resist what is as if they can’t change their circumstances or their attitude to these circumstances.

This does seem wasteful of precious resources.

Logically there are two productive approaches to an unpleasant job, boss or life. The first is to stop rejecting what is and accept that this is the present situation at least for the moment. Accepting releases energy to make some changes. It has happened or is happening so rejecting it is crazy. Imagine how silly it sounds to say to yourself ‘This shouldn’t have happened’. Imagine getting annoyed because someone has kept you waiting and doesn’t apologise after turning up late. Accept that the person is late and make a decision. Don’t waste further time on something you can’t control. Make a decision on something you can control. Your reaction to the situation.

Accept first then make changes. Rejecting reality sounds like a definition for insanity. Denial or rejection won’t make anything go away.

The second approach is to leave the situation and stop complaining. So accept and do something about it or leave and find somewhere better. Don’t stay and complain.

The other down side to rejecting reality is that you activate your critical or judgmental faculty. You will pay more attention to the negative aspects of the situation and soon you will notice nothing else. You are creating an even worse situation for yourself.

Even accepting an unpleasant situation will give you a clear head to think of ways of dealing with the situation with the advantage of wind in your sails.

Paddy Spruce CSP

Call Paddy on 03 9808 8990 or email at paddy@paddyspruce.com.au