by Anthony N. Pangilinan

NOT ALL days can be good nor productive. There will be days – periods or even seasons – when things don’t make much sense and seem less like they’re “falling into place,” and more like “falling apart!”

What to do when we find ourselves in such circumstances?

More and more, I realize that one of the best responses is to anticipate they will come. And when they do, to continue living out our days with the same principles and practices that govern us when times are good, you are committed to excellence in a time of expansion? Continue to do so in times of crisis. Best time to build customer loyalty! Like a food company’s decision to “send in the trucks” for continuous product distribution during the Mt. Pinatubo eruption that had most competitors, “scampering away.” A masterstroke- based on the form’s core values, mind you – that it’s customers have never forgotten and for which the company has been well rewarded by them, over time.

Then, there’s a need to explore and expand our “standards for living.”

To practice for both “normal” and extraordinary” moments, go for Blue Ocean Strategy as you look into your company’s sustainability. Why not drop your regular sales meeting today and pick up a quick lesson or two on Guerilla Marketing to immediately respond to a pressing need? Private: “General, the enemy is shooting at us!” General: “That’s what they’re supposed to do soldier, now fight back!”

I recently received a message from a manager of mine urgently asking for a whole week off after an argument with a co-staff member. I wasn’t “kind enough” to grant his “urgent plea” without discussing the issue further, but I appreciated what I also believe is crucial in surviving challenging situations: letting key people – the significant others- know not all is well so they are able to consider this in their own plans and programs. While not everyone was made aware of the details of Steve Job’s health condition the past years, we all had an idea of his “decreased capacity to steer the ship.” And now we know, depending on level of engagement, how Jobs let in the world on the state of his illness, allowing his organization and customers to prepare, accept, and even “hail” the manner by which he “moved on.”

C’mon, a simple call or text to your top three managers informing them of a 30-minute delay in your breakfast meeting because of a “domestic matter” (an argument with your spouse) will do wonders in keeping your “integrity” intact. Actually, it’s the least you can do out of respect.

Practice triage. In times of war, specifically after a fierce battle with many wounded, doctors classify patients into three (hence, tri-age, get it?): those who need to be treated immediately or will die, those who need treatment but will live even without it, and those who will die regardless of treatment applied. The priority becomes obvious with a quick but honest cost-benefit analysis. Life isn’t always about “balance;” sometimes it’s a simple trade-off. And we pray we sleep a little better those nights confident the benefits derived from putting one thing first outweighs the consequences of the others we put next, or last.

Timeless writer-singer Jim Paredes of the legendary APO hiking society was my guest in Saturday’s Magbago tayo (Let us Change) radio-cable show. When I asked him about his struggles, he replied without thinking twice: “Anthony, pain is an ingredient to an artist’s creativity.” The apostle Paul declares that, with faith in a loving all-powerful Father, “all things work for the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Nothing establishes empathy more than actually being – not just “imagining to be” – in someone else’s situation and going through the same experiences. We’ve heard it said by new young mothers: “Now I know how my mom actually felt!” Now, every mother’s favorite: “I’m so sorry mom! And thank you for everything!”

After finishing second from the bottom in the last Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) conference, the Alaska Aces had this as a clear “mandate” from franchise owner Fred Uytengsu (shared at a team building program we ran for the team two weeks ago): “I hate losing! And I hope you all have sleepless nights like I do when we lose! But even if I want to win our 13th championship, and move closer to becoming the winningest team in PBA history, I will not win at all costs. We will strive to win but we will also commit to preserve our values of excellence, honesty and integrity. I want to win the 13th, but not just the 13th by sacrificing the culture we’ve built through the years. I want the 13th and also the 14th, the 15th and the 16th …as we build a winning team with sustainability.”

Things can be bad, but I can remain with the good. It is in darkness that light manifests itself best.

2 comments

1.

Thank you, Anthony. You made those bad days, cool and pleasant with you inspiring thoughts and uplifting words. More power to your Inspire Team. God bless.

comment by Eva on February 8, 2012 at 11:55 am

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2.

so disappointed in all the amidcel issues which prevent me from playing a simple game of basketball with my children and prevent me from going on a simple walk .but I am not defeated ..jmy body is so screwed up from many things but I keep moving forward .sadly some of my bones being displaced have to do with some childhood abuse issues which I just denied till now why is denial so strong and why do I have to protect my dad the abuser yes I know he suffered growing up etc etc etc but what about me what about my suffering today from the past what about me .up to me to keep pushing forward ..how difficult it has and is for me but guess what I have not become my dad or my mom I have not repeated my past so I have already won a great battle ..and I keep fighting to overcome .I am not the helpless girl I use to be even in adulthood I have crossed over I have broke the generational curse and I am sooooooooooooooooo thankful for all who have and continue to help me be who I am meant to be .sadly I know others have suffered like me so here is to hope hope to escape the past and see new dreams and possibilities ..like to hear from others on their own journey to wholeness .

comment by Prii on March 19, 2012 at 8:02 pm

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