Know The Times

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Charles Dickens

Remember the tale of the shoe manufacturer who, having dispatched two salesmen to the jungles of a faraway land to investigate business potential, received the following reports: the first advising gloomily there is no potential here as nobody wears shoes, whereas the second reported enthusiastically there is massive potential here, nobody wears shoes.

Both witnessed identical circumstances, yet reported completely different views of the latent potential.

Likewise, biblical scholars attest to the account of the twelve spies sent in to assess the promised land; ten returning to report that they had indeed traversed the land of milk & honey, however the obstacles confronting them were such that they had no hope of ever taking the land; only two returned to advise that they also had witnessed a land of opportunity and they believed they could capture it.

All a matter of perspective, judgment and confidence.

No less today, people with different viewpoints and perspectives loudly promulgate their views, one way or another; the glass half full to some, half empty to others.

Yet it is the same glass, with the same contents.

Where do we stand in this paradigm; do we see opportunity all around us, or risks and difficulties at every turn? How do we view life?

Surely this principle is pivotal; one that ultimately separates winners from losers; that will either unlock potential or destine people to a life of hardship; a watershed even, where some go on to success, victory and good fortune while others seemingly commit to and endure lives of hardship, lack and inequity.

How people view the future and their potential clearly defines their very future.

This fundamental mindset, philosophy or perspective puts a dividing line between pessimists and optimists; negative and positive thinkers; those who are risk averse, fearful and worried and those who see potential in every opportunity.

The former will generally allow opportunity to cruise by without reaching out for it, lest they suffer harm, loss or even embarrassment; procrastination is, in their mind, a strength that protects them from making hasty and foolish mistakes.

Meanwhile the latter will confidently jump at every opportunity to rise up, to excel and make good; their mottos being there's no time like now, seize the moment!

Of course the wise will not forget the inherent strengths of both positions, and actively seek to balance caution with action, whilst those with understanding deficiency may swing too far either way and inevitably suffer.

In all of this we should not forget that our personal views, whichever way we lean, inevitably add to the critical mass of public opinion. Our own thoughts, words and actions will bring influence to bear on matters corporate.

It then behooves us to carefully avoid being party to, or contributing to mere herd instincts, whereby the uninformed or unwise blindly follow, not able to determine their own course of action, or life.

Let's never forget that what we think is what we become; and more importantly, what we think, say and do significantly influences what others become; to the point that our views can be contagious, effecting even a generation of people around us; a fact not lost on those with ulterior motives politically or otherwise.

Great leaders understand the principles associated with carefully developing and espousing profitable points of view, and are never in two minds. They take great care to consider the implications of their views and actions on their generation, not just themselves.

So should we.