| FUN COMMANDMENT EIGHT: |
| Stay Focused, But Flexible |
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This sounds like an assignment for a contortionist. Focused and flexible? Aren’t they opposites?
Let me put it this way. We all know the shortest distance between two points is… usually under construction. That’s right. The theoretical straight line does not exist in real life.
We are challenged to keep our goals and priorities clearly in focus, while remaining flexible enough to accommodate the inevitable surprises. At times life resembles a game of “Twister.” That’s why humor is so valuable.
Balance is the issue. If focus overrides flexibility, we become stubborn, rigid and bull-headed. If flexibility eclipses focus, we are left aimless and vulnerable. Humor helps us avoid these extremes.
When it comes to flexibility, your humor nature offers a win/win situation. Flexibility stimulates your sense of humor and humor will keep you more flexible.
If you are having trouble with this seemingly oxymoronic “commandment,” here’s an exercise that might help:
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Exercise #8: |
Keep humor props with you at all times. Props are very
helpful in keeping focus and perspective.
For example, one prop I find indispensable in rush hour
traffic is my red clown nose. When caught in a “logjam ”, I put on
the nose and wave to people in the other cars.
Incidentally, if you should ever want to try this, I will warn
you right now that half the people who see you do this won’t like it.
They’ll look away quickly, so as not to encourage you at all. But the
other 50 percent love it. They laugh, wave, and tell m e I’m #1 - at
least I think that’s what that finger means.
The point is that, regardless of the effect it has on others,
the prop helps m e stay focused on the big picture, which keeps the
small frustrations in perspective.