Daily Influence

As Rene and I embark on a trip through Asia, we will review how Pitfalls can influence our lives, both negatively and positively.  

Understanding assumptions, delegation and how they can together cause real issues in our areas of influence.  

Sweating the small stuff can overshadow understanding the big picture, or have you focused on things that make you miss other important details.  

Understanding your area of influence and not taking it for granted, as a leader or as being subordinate to others.  

Overreacting both positively and negatively can create varied pitfalls, even when done with the best intentions.  

Our happiness is subjective and understanding that what makes us happy may make others unhappy; balancing that through our different areas of influence is critical to not digging deep pitfalls through our own happiness.

It may seem odd that we talk about happiness as a pitfall, but it can be. Our individual happiness is subjective to each of us, and what may make me happy may make others unhappy.  

Understanding that our happiness may be a pitfall is a part of understanding the balance between the different areas of influence we live in: home, work, friends, and everything in between. 

Within your world of influence, you have what we call Karma. Others can call it different things: chance, destiny, getting what you deserve.  

Whatever you believe or don't, it's hard to deny that there are events in each of our lives that seem to be attracted to us in a pattern. This world of influence we each live in can be understood or, at least, defined better when we slow down and pay attention. 

When we are positive, more positive things happen. When we are negative, more negative things happen. Neither means there will be none of the other; however, our approach can help to minimize or enhance these things. 

When we overreact we create obstacles that can become huge pitfalls. Both positive and negative reactions can be overdone and cause for others to perceive what is not true or contextual; be mindful of how you react.

We each have our specific areas of influence. Taking them for granted is a pitfall. When we are a perceived leader, we can overstep our bounds and create pitfalls. When we are the perceived subordinate, we can fail to participate because we feel our influence is minimized, taking away from the benefit of our input.

When we micromanage, we risk focusing on things that may not actually be as influential to success as we individually feel they are. One of the sayings I have for this type of action is "Stepping over dollars to pick up dimes."  

We are often too focused on the little nuances that are inconsequential to the overall outcome, we just perceive them as wrong or different, so we try to control them and end up interrupting progress.

Another pitfall in our life is delegation. This one is more difficult because delegation on its own is not a pitfall, it is when we delegate without being SMART (Specific, Measured, Attainable, Realistic and Timely) in whatever we are delegating, that we create potential pitfalls for ourselves and others.

We begin our dive into (I)individual Pitfalls. These are the challenges we find ourselves in through our words and actions. The first pitfall we discuss is when we Assume (Ass - U - Me). Yes, when we make assumptions we risk making an ass out of ourselves and anyone else who goes along with our decision to take something as truth or possible without actually understanding the true nature of whatever that may be.

Most humans don't think too far ahead about the responsibility they have for all their actions; or as we like to say, your influence. One of our missions is to elevate this understanding in individuals and help them to better appreciate their importance and the responsibility they have wherever or whatever their area of influence is.

Being a positive influence and a positive leader requires that one is fair and objective through challenging issues. Emotions are important and should not be disregarded, but keeping them in check when leading others through difficult times can be the difference between success and further challenges.