Hold On and Push Through

The fall always brings a mountain of activity to our lives both personally and professionally. On the personal side, back to school, ball tryouts and the hockey season ramp are a dramatic change from the “lazy summer” we get to enjoy on some evenings and weekends. On the professional side, many companies are making the adjustment from summer vacation period and returning to a more ‘normal’ environment.

Compound that with the push to a full return to the office after 4+ years of remote work and you have a pretty big change happening. For this story, I don’t go back to the glory days of the grocery store, paper route or even supply chain. This one is a lot more current and closer to home, literally. OK it is at home.

In our yard we have a large and beautiful flowering hydrangea bush. During the summer it was heavily flowered with blue and pink bouquets that provided a fantastic backdrop to our outdoor summer adventures. As the flowers lost their vibrant colours we left them on the bush. They’ve turned a faint pinky, blush colour as they dry out which is still pleasing to the eye. As I did chores in the backyard this weekend I walked by the bush and noticed a solitary purple bloom poking its head out amongst the dried and spent blooms that surrounded it.

Like an act of defiance to the pending frost and chilly weather, it provides a symbol of the need to continue to fight through to the very end. While the rest of the bush prepares itself for winter and a period of dormancy, this solitary flower forges on. That flower has many parallels to the grind that the fall brings to our lives:

At Work: the heightened level of activity and attendance post vacation period can be tough to handle. Where you may have had more time to meet deadlines with people out of office or on holidays, the pressure now mounts to execute that much faster and more efficiently. That pressure can be taxing to even the most seasoned employee. Add to that the need to be back in the office more regularly and you have a recipe for added stress and challenge. Whether it is on the shop floor, the office floor or the board room, you must find a way to push through and “get ‘er done” as they say in Alberta. Be that flower that defies the odds and drives forward while things around you are hurting. If you’ve ever had that energy drop mid afternoon and feel like you’re going to pass out staring at a spreadsheet you can relate.

At School: similar challenges exist for back to school. As a student in grade school or high school, the carefree days of summer come to a screeching halt and it’s back to the books in a hurry. For post-secondary, the adjustment can be even tougher. Going from working and hanging with friends all summer to countless hours of reading and studying can be quite the undertaking. All that gets amplified when you can’t sleep in to noon anymore. Those with teenagers can relate. The key is to push through the challenge and adapt to the new environment. Most are able to make this adjustment annually - whether by muscle memory or just sheer brute force. Unfortunately, some are not. Seek them out, help them make the adjustment. Be their flower pushing through and defying the odds.

At Home: as things get busier all around us at this time of year, it’s those hours at home that usually take the hit. Work, school and extra curricular pressures like sports can leave you with little time with loved ones or with yourself to be able to recharge. There’s only 168 hours in a week - how you manage them and make time for recharging is on you.

In the next couple of weeks, the pool will be closed and the gardens will get prepped for winter. Pruning, trimming and general cleanup will be in order. I look forward to seeing how that solitary flower will continue to hold on and push through the adversity that Mother Nature will inevitably send its way.

Until next time, keep the faith and push through…

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Jim McKay is a seasoned supply chain executive with over twenty-five years experience in leading and coaching others. From the shop floor to the board room to the ball diamond and hockey rink, those who know him know that he has a few stories to share about life and leadership. Through his 'Reflections' posts and 'Reflections of a Workaholic' publications Jim shares his experience in transportation, supply chain and leadership through impactful and insightful stories that are meant to help and inspire others.

The commentary and opinions in these stories are his own...