Who Are Your Hows?
One word. It can stop people dead in their tracks. I’ve seen many projects stall, ideas hit a brick wall, and discussions fall flat because of this one word.
HOW!
How are we going to do that?
How is that even possible?
Well, that SOUNDS like a good idea but HOW are we going to pull it off?
It looks good on paper, but in the real world, HOW are we even capable of handling something that huge?
HOW is the word that held runners hostage before Roger Bannister broke the 4-minute mile barrier. How is it going to happen?
“I haven’t failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways it won’t work” — Thomas Edison
When you create a plan and move forward, the HOW tends to make itself apparent. Sure, you plan. But, sitting and plotting every part of the how usually steals brainpower that could have been used in the doing.
Does every HOW stall the train on the tracks? No. There are the “how’s” that happen when you are in action but hit a bump in the road. You sit for a moment to look around and figure out how to take the next step. That’s an “in-action how.”
The ‘how’ that comes from haters or doubters is the “halting how.”
This “halting how” is easy to recognize. It’s usually the one where questions are being asked, but no one is moving. No one is drawing on a whiteboard. No one is mind mapping or figuring out a path. No one is excitedly looking up resources geared to move the team forward. Instead, they are waiting for an answer. While they are waiting, they are doubting and looking for every excuse to go back to life as usual.
If you find yourself among these people too often, then make a note to self. Make a plan to extricate yourself as soon as possible. You see, the more you hang around “halting hows”, the more you begin to believe there is no other kind. The longer you hang out with the “halters”, the longer it takes you to make decisions. The slower your decisions become, the less enthusiastic you are about making them.
It’s molasses. It’s a sticky mess!
The next HOW you hear, take a look around and measure the room for action. Look even more closely if the mouth uttering the HOW is yours.
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About The Author
My name is Robert Kennedy III. I’m a leadership and communication speaker, trainer and author. I recently released 7 Ways To Know You Were Meant To Lead on Amazon. Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebookor on my website, RobertKennedy3.com.
