Don’t Just Do Something
As my team and I deal with the flurry of activity that always seems to define EPI’s fourth quarter, I’m reminded of a phrase that really resonates with me:
Don’t just do something, stand there.
You heard me correctly. It’s the opposite of what we typically hear: “Don’t just stand there, do something.”
Sometimes immediate and intense action is absolutely called for—like when a hurricane is coming straight for you and yours. There’s not much time to think but it’s essential to act. In fact, not acting could have dire consequences.
But often we assume we should do something simply for the sake of it because inaction feels indecisive or awkward. We simply react to what is going on around us. Or we feel pressure from outside influences to make a decision even though every instinct in our body is screaming for us to slow our roll. In fact, I would say that as Americans we’re wired for action, even when it doesn’t serve us or the situation.
So, what if we just stood there instead?
The next time you feel yourself having a knee-jerk reaction to circumstances and want to scramble to do something because you think doing anything must be better than doing nothing, slow down. Try this instead:
Stand there for a few minutes.
Close your eyes.
Be mindful of what’s around you: the air on your skin, the sun on your face, the simple household noises you hear.
Breathe deeply and with intention.
Let your stress level recede.
And ponder. Don’t just think, ponder. Let the information available flow over you—without succumbing to the need to act.
That may be all it takes. You may realize that the better option will be to do nothing. At least for the moment.
-Michelle Kelly, CEO (Chief Enjoyment Officer)
P.S. Curious where the phrase “Don’t just do something, stand there” came from?
Deanell Sandoval and Patrick Sorenson facilitating EPI’s Leadership To Live By™ program for a client.
Feeling Inspired!
I recently attended one of our in-person Leadership To Live By™ programs, which left me feeling deeply inspired. It was a great reminder of the impact you can have on motivation, retention, morale, and so much more, when you invest in your leaders. If you’re interested in learning how we can bring this engaging program to the leaders in your company, please reach out. We’d love to help you make a positive impact on your team and your organization.
Recommended Reading
I’ve been on a quest to get better at telling stories, so when a colleague suggested I check out Stories That Stick, I was eager to do so.
I’m sure glad I did. Hall’s simple storytelling framework resonates with me (“normal-explosion-new normal”). The examples she uses to illustrate each story type (value, founder, purpose, customer) were not only enlightening but fun to read. And I’m eager to take her advice on how to curate my own stories.
In fact, I enjoyed this book so much that I bought her new book, The Story Edge: How Leaders Harness the Power of Stories to Win in Business, and can’t wait to dive in!
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