There is a great paradox concerning the subject of time. As we are freshly into the new year, time seems to be foremost in many minds who seek out VIM Executive Coaching for business coaching. VIM Executive Coaching guides executive leaders to have an appreciation of time, for far too often, we find that new clients lack in gratitude for the moment.
What is Your Time Zone?
Whether VIM Executive Coaching works with new executive leader clients in Denver/Boulder, Colorado, San Francisco, California or even internationally, we find the executives all too frequently come to us “living” in one of three time zones. These zones are completely unrelated to geography. The new clients generally break down into the following zones:
Those executives who live in the past. They come into our office and invariably tell us variations of the same theme: the old times were better; things were easier in the past; “our generation (a moving target) was more talented in the past or the world was better in the past.
Those executives who only live for future. This group of executive leaders, usually but not exclusively younger, cannot wait for the future. Their hope is that: when the current executives leave things will get better; when COVID-19 is eradicated, everything good will return; when corporations are more enlightened, everything will change on the day new systems, products, innovations and attitudes come to their workplace, the future will be unlimited.
Those executives who live in the present. This is (by far) the smallest group of the three. It is the group of executive leaders who live for the present. While they acknowledge important aspects of the past and envision events unfolding in the future, they are much more mindful of the present.
Dwelling in the past, especially problems of the past, is an exercise in pointlessness. Nothing can be changed. Lessons may be learned from the past, that is true, but an over-reliance on nostalgia or carrying a regret over mistakes, missed opportunities and wrong employment decisions can only lead to self-denigration and often, sadness. What can we substantively change about the past? Frankly, nothing. Yes, we can make amends to those we might have wronged, but actions that influenced business reactions are long past.
Fixating on the future, similarly, is often the indulgence of dreams and fantasies. We can and should project and plan, of course, but it is not the same as “hoping,” “dreaming,” or “wishing” for a different outcome. Such is the time zone of folly. If the past is fixed, then the future is amorphous. Yet, far too many executive leaders dwell exactly there, in their minds the future is theirs to control. It is beyond control.
Living Mindfully in the Present
Living in the present is the easiest option of all “time zones,” yet it is the one action most executive leaders are afraid to take.
It is easy to “react” to the mistakes of the past. We can all do it. Similarly, we can react with glee to the future (“I just know summer of 2022 will be better!”) however, neither reaction helps us in the present.
Response, not reaction, is the domain of mindfulness. The best executive leaders are those who understand that reaction to a problem is insufficient and that a mindful response borne of what is exactly in front of us, is all important.
Whether a human resources problem, manufacturing, R&D or cyber-security (or any other) issue confronts us, an inauthentic reaction is typically a repeat of a past pattern or an avoidance of the present in hope for a future resolution.
A centered response in the present moment is the mindful and most authentic way to deal with an issue. In the range of all possible “time zones,” being present and mindful n the moment is always the best approach.