There are lines from movies that are thought-provoking but, often, we don’t know it until we’ve seen the movie several times. Such is the case for me with Field Of Dreams, starring Kevin Costner.
Toward the end of the movie, there’s a scene where Costner is talking to the baseball player in his field of dreams and he says, “You are a guest in my corn. I haven’t asked, ‘What’s in it for me,’ but now I am.”
Costner’s character, Ray Kinsella, had heard the message, “If you build it, they will come,” and he wanted proof.
He’d risked it all. He’d placed his faith in his “inner knowing” that he was doing the right thing, and that the bank wouldn’t foreclose on his farm.
You’ve Built It—Have They Come? I ask you: “How many entrepreneurs have similar thoughts?” How many believe that “If I build it, they will come.” Or, “When will it be my turn?” I can’t tell you how many clients have said similar things to me recently, regarding their business venture, their career change or relationships. It also seems that a lot of people are turning to their faith or developing a sense of spirituality for grounding in uncertain times.
This increased interest and awareness in the spiritual side of life and work is evidenced by recent best selling books, such as The Purpose Driven Life, Prayer of Jabez and the Power of Intention. Personally, I think there’s yearning for something of substance that is greater than ourselves; something deeper and more sustaining than the short-term, transactional thinking that has dominated our culture for the past 20 years. But so what? What does it have to do with work and getting results?
Unfortunately, we’re accustomed to instant gratification, instant results and instant information that tell us if we’re on the right track. And we want proof, now! Just like Ray Kinsella.
When one takes the approach of blending faith, facts and the bottom line, in that order, the rules of the game are different. And for many, it’s uncharted territory. It feels like we’ve lost our navigational beacon. How do we measure our success, or assure ourselves that we’re on the right track, when there appears to be no traditional evidence of success — at least in the short term? Giving Up Before Moving Up It’s the short-term thinking that gets us every time. Jim Collins talks about it in his best selling book, Good To Great, in terms of the “flywheel effect.” His team used the analogy of a giant flywheel and trying to turn it to gain momentum. Imagine the flywheel represents your product, business or key project, and you’re trying to push this giant wheel, struggling just to move it forward, let alone complete one revolution. It’s arduous and painstaking but then it’s complete. Maybe two turns could be accomplished, then three, then four until finally, momentum is gained and it goes on its own.
However, Collins’ team observed that many companies give up their initiatives before momentum is gained. Imagine trying to stop the wheel to change direction. It would require even more effort to stop it before moving in the new direction. Then only to find that yet again, the direction has changed.
This happens all the time in our work and in our lives. And we wonder, “Why aren’t we getting the results we want?”
So here’s the coaching for the month: Whether you’re on the path of blending spiritual and business practices to create a new paradigm, or you’re just tired of not getting what you want, remember the “flywheel effect.” There is no single defining moment when the wheel is able to sustain the momentum on its own; it’s a cumulative effect of all other actions.
There’s something to be said for endurance. Take a hard look to see if you’re giving up too soon. Are you really committed? Are you so passionate about what you’re doing that you couldn’t not continue? Endurance and perseverance may be what’s needed to stay in action in order to achieve what you really want.
But you may be wondering, “What do I do until my flywheel takes off? How do I stay the course and keep my sanity at the same time?” When it seems like nothing is working and life is hard, but you know you’re on the right track, shift your focus to the things for which you are grateful, things that are working. Focusing your attention on the little things that bring you joy and satisfaction, or the things for which you’re thankful, can make a world of difference.
Try making a list each day of 10 things for which you are grateful or thankful. You’ll be amazed at how life changes.
Marty Stanley is a certified business and life coach. She works with business leaders and their teams to put the structures in place to increase personal, professional and organizational effectiveness and get results. She can be reached at (816) 822-4047 or .
