A family member recently posted this inspirational saying on FaceBook as an example of leadership.
The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.
-John Maxwell
Much broader than its intended message, I believe this is a very important lesson about life. No matter the challenge, you will almost always be more effective if you focus more on "what you can control" (sails in this example) and less on "what you can not control" (wind). My clients have heard this many times in recent years as this principle has been a primary focus of much of my counseling.
After several sessions, a physician plopped down excitedly in her chair announcing the revelation of the week: "When I am in control of myself, I handle EVERYTHING better. When I am not, I handle very few things well." She graduated from therapy a short time later.
The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.
-John Maxwell
Much broader than its intended message, I believe this is a very important lesson about life. No matter the challenge, you will almost always be more effective if you focus more on "what you can control" (sails in this example) and less on "what you can not control" (wind). My clients have heard this many times in recent years as this principle has been a primary focus of much of my counseling.
After several sessions, a physician plopped down excitedly in her chair announcing the revelation of the week: "When I am in control of myself, I handle EVERYTHING better. When I am not, I handle very few things well." She graduated from therapy a short time later.
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