Many of us are risk averse. We don't want to take too many chances. What if they don't work out? A survey of people over the age of 70 by the Gallup Inc. company showed among their biggest regrets, "I wish I would have taken more risks and worried much less." More risk and less worry? Our hindsight is not exactly 20/20 but it's as close as we can get to perfect vision. This means that playing it safe doesn't always lead to a happy or content place in life. Of course, we want to be as calculated as we can but not paralyzed by the fear of loss, failure, or ridicule. In fact, the opposite will happen if you succeed. All of us know the quote, "If you haven't failed you haven't tried". Next time you say, "I wish", or, "I should have", or "I thought of that years ago" or you are discontent with the way things are remember God gave us the ability to dream, wish, and to imagine. Use it and don't be afraid if you fail. Take action on some of your untried and untested imaginations. I have failed at so many things, but I continue on. Don't believe everything your mind says to you. That goes for good or bad. We can learn to be content in all things if we practice living a joyful life.
How does imagination, joy, contentment, risk and less worry impact the current state of our workforce? First of all, our workforce is fluid, but human nature is always the same. No one likes to be alone for a lifetime. At times having alone time is necessary, but we were created to be in relationship. Not just any relationship but relationships that love, protect, provide, and is patient, kind, not rude or envious, boastful or proud. Love is not self-seeking or easily angered and here is the toughest one of all, it keeps no account of wrongs. Of course, you might be skeptical at this point. But if someone demonstrated this kind of love to you, would it be life changing? You cannot control much, but you can have self-control.
You cannot control whether someone shows up for work or not. It isn't within your control if someone walks off the job at the next break or at lunch time. But it is up to you in how you treat others. It has been said ad nauseum, people don't leave their job they leave their managers. Few will leave a relationship anchored in real love. Many see a dividing line between work and real life. But when our focus is so intent on the end result, we often miss the process that leads us to the end result. The process is as important as the result. A group of people must be willing to work together with one purpose and one vision or they cast off restraint (walk off or never show up for day 1) and nobody gets what they want.
When people believe they are loved by a friend, family or coworkers the science says, the company will be 23% more profitable, absenteeism is reduced 81%, employees will be 20% more productive and turnover will be reduced by at least 43%. Pooh Pooh love in the workplace if you want and continue to deal with the pooh left behind by a diminishing and disengaged workforce.
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