| "Click It" Into Gear! | | | | have the opportunity to do something totally |
| Have you ever wondered how two people can be | | | | different. I could allow myself to be scared, but I |
| in the same meeting, hear the same speaker | | | | choose to be excited instead. Obviously, |
| communicate the same message - yet once the | | | | something greater is awaiting me just around the |
| meeting is over, each person's perception of the | | | | corner. I can't wait to get started!" |
| event is totally different? | | | | Question: Does the personal choice presented |
| Why the different perception? How can one | | | | above sound crazy to you? If so, ask yourself |
| individual think the meeting was terrific and leave | | | | this question - "What's my alternative choice?" |
| completely inspired and motivated, yet the other | | | | Sure, you can become emotionally charged, react |
| person walks away believing the total opposite? | | | | in anger or even allow yourself to sink into a deep |
| Answer: "THE CLICK"! (More on this in a minute) | | | | depression. But what will that accomplish? Nothing |
| Picture yourself being told that your department is | | | | constructive, that is for certain. |
| about to undergo a major downsizing. (Not a | | | | The better choice is to dip into your personal |
| pretty picture, to be sure.) You are told that an | | | | reserves and "be" your better self. |
| announcement regarding large numbers of layoffs | | | | #2 Boss just told you your department isn't |
| is eminent. | | | | meeting expectations, and you are being placed |
| Shortly, you may be out of a job! (gasp!) | | | | on notice? |
| Stunned? Sure you are, and the choices you | | | | Initial Reactions: "He has always had it out for me. |
| make in the immediate future may define your | | | | I'm next on the chopping block. It's a conspiracy! |
| entire future. | | | | I'm going to report him to HR and the Corporate |
| NOW - is when you need to "CLICK IT" into gear. | | | | Ethics Line because I feel threatened!"..etc, etc. |
| Visualize "THE CLICK": Take your right hand and | | | | OR, |
| form a backwards "C" with your thumb and | | | | (CLICK!) "Alright, my boss just told me exactly |
| fingers. Keeping your hand in the backwards "C" | | | | what he expects from me. I'm going to start |
| position - hold your hand up to your right temple. | | | | immediately to address every issue he mentioned |
| Next, quickly make a forward snap of the wrist | | | | to show him that I understand what he expects |
| as you say out loud, "CLICK". | | | | and that I am committed to not letting he, or the |
| Did the light bulb just go on? | | | | company, down. I may not agree with everything |
| Leaders who understand the power of "The Click" | | | | he said, but I respect the position that he holds |
| - DO NOT become victims of circumstance. | | | | and it's my duty to support upper management |
| Rather, they identify the challenges and the | | | | and the company I work for. I can do this!" |
| opportunities which are presented to them at the | | | | As the preceding examples point out, "THE |
| moment - whatever the adversity. | | | | CLICK" is the result of asking yourself, "What is |
| We each have the ability to choose our outcome. | | | | the most constructive way I can look at this |
| We may not like the choices in front of us at the | | | | situation, and what action steps must I |
| time - but at least we have the ability to choose | | | | immediately take to professionally address this |
| our path. | | | | issue?" |
| One thing is for certain - doing nothing, ensures | | | | Bottom line: NEVER forget the power of "THE |
| failure. | | | | CLICK". NEVER allow yourself to be a victim of |
| Consider these examples: | | | | circumstance. |
| #1 Losing your job? | | | | Instead, utilize this all-important tool to remain the |
| Initial Reactions: "Poor me. That's not fair! Those | | | | master of your own destiny. |
| dirty rotten ba...uh.. scoundrels! Why me? My life is | | | | Don't be "affected" - choose to be EFFECTIVE. |
| over!".. etc, etc. | | | | "Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what |
| OR, | | | | you can do. |
| (CLICK!) "Okay, this is interesting. I guess now I | | | | |