#MonkeyWrench

Monkey Wrench is one of my favorite Foo Fighters songs, released back in 1997 as the first single off their second album. It embodies a unique and memorable frenetic energy and passion. Regardless of your musical tastes, we can all relate to it in some way, perhaps even more so during the trying times of our own lives. Reminded of the term by this song, I find the phrase “monkey wrench” fitting in numerous situations. In the most literal sense, it is an adjustable wrench. To me and many others, more colorfully, it is more often used to describe something (or someone) that is intended to interrupt, disrupt or sabotage. 

Just over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had to start dealing with a major “monkey wrench” thrown my way. I discovered that I have a torn rotator cuff and need to have surgery before year-end. From all the info I’ve gathered thus far, this is a pretty big deal that will disrupt my passion for boxing and kickboxing for at least 6 months, while also representing a major speed bump in my future plans. The road to recovery is apparently a long one, involving pain management, lack of sleep, slings, immobility, lots of physical therapy and more. 

I’m not sure what this right-handed person is going to do without her right shoulder/arm movement for 6 months – but I’m about to find out! If anyone out there has been through this and has advice – I’d welcome it. 

Okay, maybe I’m being a bit melodramatic, but I’ll share that I’ve not yet fully mentally or emotionally processed that this is happening. Yes, I'm in a bit of denial. This major monkey wrench is serving as a big disruptor to my somewhat frenetic life. I’m still trying to figure it out (and admittedly shedding a tear or two along the way).

We have all faced numerous monkey wrenches in our life, haven’t we? Whether it’s personally or professionally, we’ve had to deal with them. This is true whether we saw them coming or if they were a complete surprise. And because these monkey wrenches will no doubt continue to pop up as time goes by, ignoring them and giving up is not an option. We must think things through, rethink them, make alternate plans and move forward in whatever way we can.

The accelerated pace and constant state of flux in today’s business world is a monkey wrench in itself – of sorts. With 9 months in my current role, I’ve been trying to figure out what type of stability is achievable and how to evolve our organization to increase our agility and speed. All this, while maintaining and fortifying a strong foundation that is wholly committed to our customers, to growth and to our people. 

As to my personal monkey wrench, I’m determined to figure out how best to deal with it. What I know for sure is that the people in my life have been and will be key in helping get me through this. I truly believe (and have shared before) that meaningful relationships are priceless, and I am so thankful for the concern, support and caring of my friends and family - past, present, and future. Of course, this includes my AT&T family as well. Without question, it is the people in our lives who help us handle those monkey wrenches thrown our way - they help us build our own strength as we reinforce our ability to deal with any type of obstacles or disruption. They help us ensure that we keep going and growing. 

What are some of the monkey wrenches you deal with day-to-day? Do you find yourself most thrown by monkey wrenches that are circumstance driven? People driven? Competitor driven? Technology driven? How do you deal with them?