Gibsonia Gazette

Fast Relief for “DOMS” July 9, 2012

As executives, we often forget about the things we’ve accomplished over the years that helped to get us to where we are today.  It’s so easy to get caught up  in the day-to-day minutia of our jobs that we develop “tunnel vision” and lose sight of those important accomplishments, the experiences that gave us the tools we use daily. 

In addition, if we are high achievers, we give ourselves little room for error.  We “suffer” the errors much more than we celebrate the good “stuff”.  We forget that failure is an opportunity to learn and grow.  We “beat ourselves up”, instead of finding the lesson. Think about it, would you really be able to celebrate success if you didn’t experience any failures along the way?

So, here is my “cure” for those periodic bouts of “DOMS” (Down On Myself Syndrome):  The times when you’re losing sleep over a business problem or decision, when you’re at a crossroads and not sure which path to take, when you lose an employee that you think you can’t afford to lose, when a project takes longer than expected to complete, when your competitor suddenly starts taking a bigger share of the market and your not sure why, etc.

Follow this simple “prescription” (and you won’t have to call me in the morning):

1. Always keep an updated resume handy (top drawer of desk, or on your computer)
2. When times get tough, take it out and send it…to yourself (or just read it)
3. Realize, as you read it, that you wouldn’t hesitate to hire this person, if given the chance
4. Go out and deal with whatever the issue is the way the person described in that resume would
5. Celebrate your accomplishments!

Don’t ever forget who you are and what got you to where you are.  Sure, you’ve had help along the way, as we all have, but that help would not have been there had you not been the person you are.  So, get that resume updated and in an easily accessible place, and go celebrate yourself!