Life, It Goes On

Unless you've opted-out of the world completely, it's likely that you have heard that the Windsor's have an addition to the family. The masses, it seems, can't get enough of it, so the media obliges. The new baby has helped to make State of Origin football, Tour de France cycling, British Open golf, and Ashes 2 cricket old news. Notwithstanding, news of the Royal's baby will follow-suit, too. Even though all of these events seemed so important at the time, the results are unlikely to prove life-changing for me, or anybody else. It's just as Robert Frost said when he was asked what he'd learned about life. He said, 'In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.'

Life goes on is a good message for everyone. Even though things might not pan-out as we'd hoped - or maybe they did - life goes on is one thing we can count on happening. I suppose that's why always having something to look forward to requires constant attention.

When I wrote The Management Bible (it has just been published as Australian Management Essentials), I found that people had no control over more than eighty percent of things that they worried about. For the most part, worrying was a waste of time. Almost 2000 years ago, the Stoic philosophers (Epictetus, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius) recommended that we should examine rationally those things that we spent time worrying about. They claimed, that after spending thought-time on an issue, it was likely that the worst-case scenario was probably not going to be as bad as first thought.

Take an example of retirees worrying whether or not their nest-egg will last the distance and if they'd be able to survive on a reduced income. The Stoics would say that a rational consideration of this situation could lead to a decision to reduce the amount spent on wining and dining. The Stoics would argue that such a decision is unlikely to be life-threatening. If cutting back on wining and dining was the worst-case scenario, there was little point in worrying.

OK, OK, this advice has been around for a couple of thousand years. Here's a more-advanced approach. Whether you're worried, or not, try this.

1. Move to where you can see the sky.
2. Look upwards to the sky.
3. Take note. Observe.
4. Only if you notice the sky moving in a downward direction is there any need to be concerned. If the sky is not moving, you have nothing really to worry about.
5. Deal with the hand you've been dealt, and move on.

Robert Frost arrived at his conclusion at the end of a life-lived.The Management Bible was reprinted thirteen times and remains one of Australia's best-ever-selling management books. Tens of thousands of people, hopefully, are aware that most things we worry about are a waste of time and energy. Epictetus alerted us to the fact that it's not what happens but how we respond that matters most; and those words of wisdom continue to be used today. So what are you worrying about?

Go and check-out the sky. Only if it's moving do you have any reason to be concerned.

Memories of events and how things panned-out soon fade. What, at the time, seemed like such a big deal rarely stands the test of time. The challenge is to deal with the hand we're dealt, and move on. Life goes on!

Dr Neil Flanagan is a keynote and conference speaker and bestselling author. If you'd like a free copy of his bestselling book BLINK! The Speed of Life (How to add years to your life and life to your years) go to http://www.neil.com.au where you can comment on anything mentioned in this article.

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