Most recently I received the following in an email:
 
“The people in my organization are suffering from paralysis. They can't move forward.  They can’t move backwards. They refuse to change.  They seem only concerned with themselves and not acting like a team. Therefore spontaneity, creativity, and productivity suffer in a huge way.  They are allowing fear to stub growth. They even seem to be afraid of their own shadows. I need to help them get back ‘onboard ‘ and improve their personal and professional productivity.”
 
My response:
 
That's funny! I've never thought of paralysis as being something one suffers from!  It has been a great learning tool for me.  I guess it all depends on how you look at it. In the hospital dad walked into the room and said this, "Son, what if you could be more productive, more successful, more happy, and more fulfilled with no hands and no legs than you ever were with them?" (I will not share with you my initial response) However, let's relate those profound words to “your organization”.

Folks, what if you could be more productive, more happy, more successful, and more fulfilled, now, when the economy is paralyzed, suffering, or even tanked; Then perhaps you ever were when the economy was at its greatest, morale was at its highest, and things just came easy!

I am no expert on the economy and I can't say that I've ever lived through a great depression; But I do know what it feels like to lose everything you've ever worked for: Your business, an income for your family, the loss of limbs, a job, self esteem...and so the list goes on.


1-     Never in the history of recorded time have people come out of a recession or personal struggle where they have taken more than they have given!

2-     Stephen Covey so eloquently says it this way, “In order to get everything you want out of life, find someone who needs something and help them get that thing first!"


These two simple principles have helped me to turn a 'paralyzed economy' into something nothing short of a miracle! And would you believe, what my dad said to me in that hospital room, roughly 8 years ago, has come to fruition.  My body still does not move, yet I am more productive today than ever before. I have a job (something we should all be grateful for), a family, and Shondell and I just celebrated our fourteenth year anniversary yesterday.  I am more happy, experiencing success and I feel fulfilled…Even through paralyzing times.

One last note: No bailout cured this paralyzed body (BTW- I am no expert on politics either). I just know that it takes more than money to overcome the "fear of one's shadow!"  It’s called vision, and we need more people with it.  Less ‘takers’ and more givers!  Then, and only then, will we reap the benefit of unity, teamwork, and productivity.