Feeling Uncertain – How to Look Forward with Confidence
Focusing on an unknowable future creates anxiety in the present.
Confidence toward the future is found in making contribution today.
Looking forward with confidence:
#1. Pursue meaning not happiness.
The pursuit of happiness – as an end in itself – is a disappointing dead end.
Self-centered living is momentarily fulfilling.
The pursuit of happiness is like chasing the horizon.
“Being human always points, and is directed, to something or someone, other than oneself — be it a meaning to fulfill or another human being to encounter. The more one forgets himself — by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love — the more human he is.” Victor Frankl
“Happiness must happen, … : you have to let it happen by not caring about it.” Victor Frankl
#2. Meaning is found in contribution.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
What can you do for others now?
Confidence is found when you glance at the future but contribute in the present.
#3. Contribution requires self-worth.
You are a unique person in your organization. What joyful contribution might a person like you repeatedly make?
Look past insecurities to current opportunities to contribute.
Thinking – apart from contributing – creates anxiety.
#4. Repetition multiples contribution.
An occasional act of service doesn’t change your future. But persistent acts of service multiply contribution.
Repetition, like dripping water, makes a dent in the universe.
#5. Strengths are the foundation of contribution.
- List contributions you consistently and joyfully make.
- What strengths enable your contribution?
- Ask team members to explain the contributions you make to them.
- Ask team members to describe behaviors that indicate your strengths truly are strengths.
- How might you maximize your contribution?
What acts of service bring you joy? Do more of that!
How might leaders look toward the future with reasonable levels of confidence?
My mother grew up in a rural area where services were not readily available. She instilled in me to always help your neighbor. You don’t have to like them to help them. Next time, you may need them to help you. You can’t afford not to help a neighbor in need because we all need each other, just on different days.
Thanks Duane. “You didn’t have to like them to help them.” Now there’s a great challenge and opportunity to make contribution.
You gotta love the wisdom of our parents.
“You don’t have to like them to help them.” this way of expressing that helping is at a higher plane than our likes and dislike is really illuminating. In actual practice, one starts liking what one believes is “not to my taste”; when you take the first step on the help-line!
Thank you – I would use this line whenever I get the chance!
I appreciate fully your last 4 words ‘just on different days’. This communicates a couple of things for me. We all are vulnerable and in need at ‘some moment in time’ . Awareness of self and others ‘time of need’ expands our humaness and unity.
On “Giving Tuesday” Dr. King’s quote is very relevant.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Start by helping one person.
How might leaders look toward the future with reasonable levels of confidence? Believe in yourself, believe in your network, believe in the great talents of the workforce. Believe in your vision.
Thanks Paul. “Start by helping one person.” Grand aspiration apart from small action leads to exasperation.
Your focus on belief speaks to me.
How might leaders look toward the future with reasonable levels of confidence? Some really good quotes today, “Ask not what your Country can do for you, ask what you can do for your Country”?, JFK. one of my favorites. So if we translate to everyday leadership there is always more we can do. I find no measurement in the sense of how much is to much? Perhaps when one is exhausted you may have reached the peak. If we do what we can do as best we can we added something, however small or large doesn’t matter.
Thanks Tim. Great quote. I could have used it in this post.
How much is too much, is an important question. Personally, it’s about energy management. Do what gives you energy as much as possible… even then, it’s not a perpetual motion machine. Everyone needs time to restore.
Helping people every day not only makes your a better person/professional but it helps pay back all that God has given, blessed and done for you and your Family. Keep helping others!
Thanks Sam. Looking at life as response is freeing and powerful.
Hi Dan and all,
I like this post so much and add also that it’s very hard to be consumed with making others’ lives better in meaningful ways, while simultaneously keeping up with all our resentments, aggravations and perceived (or even real) slights. It’s the true heart of responsibility
Thanks Cate. One of the things I learned last month is there are some things in life that will expel others. … Gratitude expels bitterness, for example. (At least while you are practicing gratitude.)