It's Worth Noting | by Levi Smith
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jkonig/
In Leadership

Don’t be selfish – pursue inconvenient moments

If you’re like me, you avoid inconvenient moments. You hustle to get there, go here or finish that. Along the way, people and situations that should get your attention are completely missed simply because you are not interested in being interrupted. It doesn’t fit your plan or schedule for the day.

The trouble I’ve found with this mindset, at least for me, is that it is entirely self-centered. I fall into the trap of only wanting to give or care when it’s planned and convenient for me. If it’s unplanned and inconvenient, I keep moving barely noticing what I’ve decided to ignore.

If you want to have a significant and unexpected impact on the people around you today, pursue some inconvenient moments that cross your path. Have the conversation you do not have time for. Assist the person broke down on the side of the road. Help the mom in line in front of you with five kids struggling to get checked out.

Pursuing inconvenient moments will help you be more others focused.  Your eyes will be opened to all needs and opportunities around you as you’re scurrying to get through the day.

Related Posts

5 Comments

  1. Pingback: Don’t be selfish – pursue inconvenient moments | It’s Worth Noting | By Levi Smith | Leadership4:The Future

  2. Vickie Austin

    I recently met a woman at the Ogilvy Transportation Center (train station) in downtown Chicago… she was in a wheelchair and because of the glare of the screen at her level, she couldn’t access her bank account at the ATM. I heard her ask for help, thought she may be talking to someone else, but backtracked and offered to help. Although it was “inconvenient,” I helped her get her money and stayed with her while she got her lunch and called for her ride.

    I was humbled by her appreciation, awestruck by her persistence (she’s in school at the IIT downtown campus and commutes via train twice a week in spite of being in a wheelchair) and inspired by her tenacity and commitment. She told me she’s a teacher and had a head injury, so is still recuperating and living at a nursing home.

    Upon parting, she offered me a blessing, to which I demurred. Indignant, she asked, “You mean you don’t want a blessing on your business?” I bowed my head and said, “Oh yes, please! I need it more than ever!” and she promptly bestowed her blessing on me. Diana, wherever you are, thank you for turning an “inconvenient moment” into a gift.

  4. Mark

    Good reminder, Levi. Thanks for prompting me to stop “navel-gazing!”