Your Time to Shine

All good things must come to an end. Don't worry, I don't mean us. (I'm not going anywhere.) It's just that I recently stumbled upon a lesson about the present and the future that I thought you might appreciate. You see, I recently found myself in Boston's Logan airport. Of course, this is not altogether surprising since I pass through there all the time. But this time was different. This time, I wasn't jumping over suitcases and rushing to my gate like a madman. This time, I actually arrived early and had some time to kill. I was able to take notice of the airport in a whole new way. And I have to say, it was pretty damn scary.

First, I noticed the smells. Ah, the unmistakable wafts of grease from Pizza Hut Express, Panda Express, Chili's To Go, and Eat This Crap. There may be nothing on this planet more depressing and overpriced than airport food. There were other things I hardly noticed before. The loose floor tiles, the gum under the seats, that tall skinny guy in the 70's jeans and cap who wouldn't stop staring at me. Good times. (No, seriously, I think he was that guy from the sitcom Good Times.) Dyn-o-mite!

Just then, I heard a loud and deep voice call out: "Shine 'em up!" I glanced around the terminal to see where the voice was coming from. "Shine 'em up!" I heard the voice call out again. I looked over my left shoulder, and I saw a shoeshine stand where an old man stood, hunched over a pair of size 12 loafers. He was whipping a shine cloth back and forth across a businessman's toe like he was trying to saw it off. (Which, I'm pretty sure he wasn't.)

For those of you who don't know (and why the heck would you?), I love the shoeshine. To me, shoeshinery is not just a made up word, it's a lost art. Sure, I could whip out the Kiwi kit and brighten up my own shoes, but who am I kidding? The professional shoeshiner has the tools, the knowledge, and the skills that make all the difference.

"Shine 'em up!" our hero called out again.

Then I noticed something that made me curious. Our shoeshine pro already had a customer sitting in his chair. A gentleman had already heeded his urging to shine 'em up. So what gives? Why was our vendor still calling out to other would-be customer/travelers with tarnished shoes?

My inquiring mind wanted to know, so I asked the master. It turns out that his answer was pretty straightforward. In his business, an open chair means lost productivity, less financial gain, and increased anxiety and frustration. To keep the chairs full at all times, he can never stop hustling. (Or in his case, shouting.)

This observation led me to think about the world of goal achievment and personal success. Is your life really any different?

If you're anything like me, you're very handsome and great at Scrabble. More to the point, you also get frustrated when you're in-between goals or lack some sense of direction in some area of your life. This is ironic, since you're probably incredibly busy, toiling away at whatever's on your plate at the moment. But to keep the success line moving, you've always got to be on the lookout for the next accomplishment.

I'll give you a few examples:

Your Career. Let's say you're 100% satisfied with your j-o-b. Does that mean you shouldn't be planning for the future? Au contraire, mon frer. Whether you're setting your sights on a future promotion, expanded responsibility, or the corner office, it's good to think about what comes next. Take a few moments to update your resume, refresh your network, and explore the possibilities. None of these things take away from your current gig, but they can protect you from being caught off guard in the future.

Your Fitness. Let's say your New Year's diet or workout regimen is working splendidly. Fantastic! What's next? I'll be running (metaphorically) in a race in a few weeks, but I've also got another one lined up for the summer. I know several people who suggest that always having the next race lined up is the best way to keep current with your training. You can focus on today and still take a few moments to think about what comes next.

Your Finances. This is one part of life that requires a long-term mindset. Your financial goals today won't be the same as those ten years from now. If I check my old notes, I see the goal "save up enough paper route money for that bitchin' Whitesnake album". (Okay, I still have that goal.) Execute your current savings plan, debt reduction plan, or investment plan, but also be sure to think about what comes next. Your financial plan should evolve at a steady pace.

Your Relationship. Okay, let's say you're in a happy, long-term relationship. (Like mine with Tawny Kitaen.) I'm not suggesting that you think about "who" comes next, but rather "what" comes next. The question "Where is this relationship heading?" can be a positive one when it's posed with an optimistic and genuine wonderment about the future? Will you travel together, take walks together, play Scrabble together? (Relationship building and QUIXOTRY all in one.) Don't let your relationship stagnate because you can't get creative or think about what the future may hold.

"Shine 'em up!" - Remember the lesson provided by our shoeshine coach. Lest you believe that thinking about the future takes away from the present, I'm happy to report that it just ain't so. Our shoeshiner was able to land a new customer before he was finished with the first. While he completed his original task, he joked with the new customer in his waiting chair, and he kept the line moving. Unlike the proverbial farmer, the shoeshiner's efforts to reap and sow were not mutually exclusive. By doing both well and simultaneously, he was able to succeed "in the now" and "in the next".

Now, if you'lll excuse me, I'm heading out to show off my shiny, new shoes.

Related Links

Shoeshine love
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Scary good (but mostly scary)

Quote of the Week

"And in today already walks tomorrow."
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge

"The future is called "perhaps," which is the only possible thing to call the future. And the only important thing is not to allow that to scare you."
- Tennessee Williams, Orpheus Descending, 1957

Coaching Quickie: Your Time to Shine

Check back next week for results!

Last Week's Results

Coaching Quickie: Games of Chance
What football dynasty best reflects your own passion for success?

(83%) Today's New England Patriots
(00%) The Steel Curtain Pittsburgh Steelers (70's)
(00%) The Dallas Cowboys (90's)
(00%) The 49'ers (80's)
(17%) I have no passion for football, but I still rock the success train!

If you missed it, you can read last week's newsletter online here.