The Balancing Act of Being Intentional

While at the airport waiting to board a flight, I realized that I had a tight connection and would not have time to grab lunch before the next flight. So, I hurried to the closest deli and began sifting through all my seemingly healthy choices. For some time now I have been very intentional about trying to eat better while traveling. The only problem was that every salad or sandwich had at least 35 grams of fat! It was then that I spied my new best friend... a turkey breast sandwich with only 7 grams of fat. My mom would be so proud!

As I sat down to eat lunch I casually looked at the nutrition label and was mortified to see that the sandwich had 83% of the daily allowance of sodium! The number 3 ingredient, behind turkey and the flour used to make the bread, was salt. While a little less excited about my choice, I knew that I could combat the overload of sodium with extra water throughout the day.

When we are intentional about the choices we make, there will most always be repercussions or potentially negative impacts of our choices (I call them "Weeds" in my new book). Our goal should be to make the choice that has the greatest potential to help us achieve our main goals, and plan for how to manage the other circumstances that come along with making that choice (like getting enough water to combat the sodium in the sandwich).

Too often we keep looking for the perfect choice to materialize, and it rarely does.

The Choice Of "I Am Glad I Did"

While perusing a magazine in a doctor's office last week, I came across a quote that really got my attention. It read:

I try to end each day saying, 'I am glad I did, rather than I wish I had.'

So I started making a list of the types of choices I should make if I want to be able to say "I am glad I did" more often at the end of the day. They included:

• Linger in a good conversation a minute or two longer
• Perform a simple deed of kindness as anonymously as possible
• Take on my most difficult work tasks first-not last
• Read the extra chapter to my youngest daughter at night
• Eat foods that help my body perform better-and improve my sleep at night
• Address the needs of a coworker or family member without being asked
• Take care of a small problem, thereby preventing it from becoming a BIGGER problem
• Reflect on my work and life for 5 minutes, especially outside on a clear Spring night as I gaze up at the stars
• Enjoy a good laugh with a family member

What would be on the list of choices you would make?

Think About Your Rate Of Exchange

While waiting for a flight back to the US, I had a craving for some ice cream. Finding the food court I spotted a Haagen Dazs shop. I made my choice and paid the cashier by credit card. As I walked away I saw the rate of exchange from pesos to dollars and realized that I had just paid over $12 for two scoops of ice cream and some sprinkles. Absurd!!!

 Why did I so readily make such a mistake? I didn’t stop to think about the rate of exchange until AFTER I had made the purchase. Had I calculated it before I bought the ice cream I would have thought twice and probably not given into my craving-or found a less expensive alternative.

 Before you make a hasty choice about how to spend your time, energy (or money) today, stop and think about what you are giving up to engage in that task or activity. Is it really worth it? Is it the best choice to move your work forward? Is it the best choice to improve your relationships or even your own personal well-being? If the answer is ‘No,’ the best choice might be to wait until you can find a more cost-effective option.

Using A Sledgehammer On A Mosquito Of Change

At a program last week I was saddened to hear a program participant tell me that she was having difficulty staying focused at work because a coworker frequently lied to her. When I inquired further, she told me that her manager was investigating the actions of the coworker. The person talking to me was quite disraught and was listing any number of drastic measures she could take like changing jobs or possibly taking two part time jobs to replace her current full time position-all so she would not have to have any contact with the coworker. She even mentioned transferring to another department, but was not sure she would like working in another area.

As our conversation continued she said something very telling-she only wanted to stay in the job a couple of months. She would finish her degree in a few weeks and then was planning on taking a position in another company. At that point I said, "Can you come up with a way to survive for two months?" We then discussed some ways to minimize her exposure in this negative situation.

Confucious was quoted as saying, "Never swat a mosquito with a sledgehammer." In the same way, we need to be careful not to overreact in times of change. Our emotions and desire to avoid conflict can cause us to make rash decisions that have greater negative consequences than simply doing nothing. If the program participant had told me she wanted to stay in the position for a longer period of time our conversation might have been very different. Considering her current plan, however, a fly swatter was more in order.

To Smoke Or To Give... That Is The Question

A research study highlighted by the Harvard Business Review showed that during a recession, people in the United States do two things more often... smoke cigarettes and give to charities. While the two do seem contradictory (Remember that the same people probably aren't doing both), I think they are a strong example of being intentional... or not.

During a recession, charities have financial struggles like other organizations. As a result, they do a better job of getting their message out (being more intentional) to increase giving. From the giving side, people see the need closer to home with friends, family and coworkers, and will make a more concerted effort (be more intentional) to give to such organizations.

The increase in the purchase of cigarettes is a strong example of NOT being intentional. During a recession people are more stressed and choose different ways to cope. An extremely convenient (often the opposite to intentional) way to deal with these stresses is to increase smoking-or take up the habit again. A better choice would be exercise, building supportive relationships or seeking assistance, but all that takes work (a key requirement for being intentional).

Think about your choices today? Do they reflect a desire to improve yourself and possibly the lives of others, or are they simply the result of saying, "what's the easiest way to deal with this?" Remember, one choice improves your sense of purpose while the other is just a short term fix to a much longer term issue.