Now Why Did They Do That?

If you really want to drive yourself crazy, just try to figure out the motives behind the actions of others. I was reminded of just how futile that can be while listening to many of the talking heads as they discussed the motives behind many of the tactical and strategic moves by different candidates. They get paid for it – and still they're wrong most of the time.

Very few things can create more issues and problems than trying to get at the motives for many of the decisions and actions of people at work. How often can you recall deciding someone did something for Reason A, only to find out someone else thought the very same action was taken for Reason B, and another thought it was for Reason C. Only later did you all find out that the real reason – Reason D – was so far from what you all had thought that you were astonished, or disappointed, or embarrassed.

Trying to determine motive is a habit of thought – a bad habit of thought. It wastes your time and energy in arriving at conclusions that are almost always wrong – and have little positive value. What a path to personal failure!

How do you avoid this trap that can have such a negative impact on your success? Work hard to stop trying, and take things as they are – deal with what is in front of you, and not with what you think someone’s motive might have been.

A story about staying in the moment:

A Buddhist monk being chased by a tiger. He came to a cliff and grabbed the one vine hanging over the cliff, and started to lower himself down the vine. Looking down he was terrified to see another tiger waiting for him at the bottom of the cliff. He was trapped. As he hung there, not sure what to do, he noticed two things: a mouse that was busily chewing on the vine that was his sole support It was just a matter of time before the mouse chewed through the vine and he would fall to his certain death.. He lacked the strength to reach the mouse. The other thing that he noticed was a small strawberry plant – growing out of the cliff. On it, and within easy reach, was one perfect, ripe strawberry. What do you think he did?

Answer: He ate the strawberry, and it was delicious! End of story.

I suggest you remember that story the next time you look beyond what is in front of you – remember to deal with what you can see and what has been given to you – and don’t waste time on conjecture. You will be more successful for taking that approach.

Written by Andy Cox, President

Cox Consulting Group LLC 4049 E Vista Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85032 Ph: 602-795-4100; Fax: 602-795-4800; E Mail: acox@coxconsultgroup.com; Website: www.coxconsultgroup.com; Blog: http://multiplysuccess.blogspot.com

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