Every Path has Endings
As I contemplated this post, I had several ideas run through my head. This morning as I woke up, I was reminded of one of the most influential books I have ever read. No this is not the Bible; however, that is the top of my list. This book was suggested to me by a member of a small group I was a part of when I was in the mortgage industry and was searching for my next steps in life. I was at a crossroads and knew that an ending was coming; however, I did not know what that ending was and what the new beginning was going to entail. I was scared, confused, full of fear, lacked boldness and courage. To put it plainly, I was lost. I had no passion or zeal for life and was just barely making it. I was failing in the mortgage industry and in fact was doing a job that I was not created to do. For those in the industry I tip my hat to you as it is definitely a difficult job and necessary position; however, it just wasn’t for me.
This friend acquaintance shared with me a book that ultimately put me on the trajectory path to launch Path of One. This book is about business; however, the impact of the book can be felt not just in business, but in your personal life as well. Dr. Henry Cloud, a psychologist and leadership guru wrote a book many people will recognize Boundaries; however, this is not the book I am discussing. His book Necessary Endings; however, is this book. The premise is that sometimes in business you have to make necessary endings when dealing with projects that are wasting money and the payoff is not coming to fruition. Then there are times that toxic people just need to be let go and get them out of the organization. He calls these people pure evil and you just need to get the lawyers involved and move on. There are two other categories of people that Dr. Cloud talks about in the book and those are wise people that take direction and correction with ease and make the necessary adjustments. The third group is the foolish. Now this is not saying that they are fools running fools’ errands; however, more on that they are not growing in their position or they are not getting the job done. These people if given the opportunity to correct themselves and put into a performance improvement time frame may very well become wise employees; however, with expectations laid out they will know the outcome if they don’t perform.
Foolish may even contribute to where I was at in life. I was not performing well at all at the mortgage company I was at. I was making my calls, yet I was not making progress. I had these passions of helping people and I thought why not mortgage as I had already tried financial services and life insurance. These jobs caused me more stress than I could have imagined, and I needed desperate direction. As I said, this book is more about leadership than personal; however, I saw myself in that book and knew what I needed to do. I put in my resignation and began to take the time to figure out what was next. On a side note, I would not advise someone to just resign their position without a failsafe, i.e. another job. This is what I did and took a few weeks to regain some clarity in life and added other stressors; however, I swallowed my pride and went back to work in the hospitality industry.
Now, you may be saying how did your necessary ending impact you today? That’s a great question. See I went to work at restaurant where I live and quickly became a bartender and trainer within the organization; yet I still wasn’t feeling that I was headed anywhere and though I am good at what I do, I was not passionate about it. One night after work around three in the morning, I opened up my laptop and started Googling grad school programs. To this day I do not remember what I Googled; however, I found a Colorado State University – Global and was started the process of earning my Dual Master of Sciences in Management and Organizational Leadership with an International Business Specialization. My heart’s desire is to help as many people achieve their goals and dreams and make their path a path of brilliant colors.
I know many people right now are looking for change and very well coming up to a necessary ending in life. This can come in many forms. An ending in where you live and moving to a new city, state, or country. Ending a dead-end job and pursuing your dreams and starting a business or going back to school. Taking a necessary ending in a relationship that could be toxic or just has run the course. Whatever your ending is, make the decision to move and allow the ending to launch a new beginning.
If it is a project at work that needs a necessary ending begin the process of change management and being to communicate the change to key associates. During necessary endings and change, always make sure you communicate the why the ending is needed and what the plan is going forward. Allow your staff to process the change and be available to answer any and all questions needed so they are onboard and will help guide the team through the change. Necessary endings are never easy in business nor personal; however, they are needed and can ultimately catapult you to your passion and purpose.
Be Bold! Be Courageous! Be Fearless!
Joel
If you would like to read these books mentioned in the blog feel free to click on the links in the blog or click here: