Let it Go to Move On!

Sometime, even those who are savvy in the ways of business will make a blunder.  Someone I talked with, who had considerable business acumen, was offered (back in the late 60’s, early 70’s) an opportunity to buy into McDonalds Restaurants.  He didn't; believing it to be a fad and not a long term investment.  Today, he regrets that decision, but, doesn't let it weigh on him.  That is what separates a real business mind from others.  He let it go and moved on.  Sure, he will tell the story to some people, but, only if it serves a purpose.  You don’t have a crystal ball –go with what your inner self is telling you.  Everyone makes mistakes; don’t let them define how you do business.  Worse yet, don’t let them define you!  Letting go, allows you to move on. 

Recently, I had an experience, if I let define me, would have certainly crushed future projects.  I wouldn't have been out in world making new contacts.  And that is exactly what happened.  I made a new contact for something that may be very promising and I didn't have to go looking for it – it came to me.  Had I not let go of the former, I wouldn't have had room or wouldn't have been open to the new!  And the new project could be even more spectacular than the last.  Do I feel I was let down by trusting someone had my best interest at heart as well as their own?  Yes.  Am I going to allow that to keep me from working proactively?  No.  …Weeping endures for the night, but, joy comes in the morning (paraphrase Psalm 30:5).  Grieve what is lost, but be joyful about what is coming. 

Not letting go can rob you of your future.  Someone I know had a promising hockey career.  It was his passion, it possessed him, but, one mistake took it all away.  Years later, he is still grieving that loss and has not had the ability to find the new promise, the new path, the new project.  He essentially robbed himself of his future, by not letting go of his past.  Don’t be one of those.

Yes, you have to weigh the things you do and decide if it’s a good idea or not.  And, you have to decide if you trust those you are going to be working with or not.  Once the decision has been made – get to work.  If you find out that something is not quite as you had expected it to be, or the people you are working with have shown themselves to be less than the trusted colleague you thought; deal with it.  Don’t let it define you.  Don’t let the situation drag you down and stop you from attempting to move forward.   Always remember though, that once someone has shown you who they really are, believe them.  Don’t try and assign a different value set to them.  They are who they are and you can’t change that by trying to believe otherwise. 

So, is this a lesson you have learned in life?  Is it one, you feel you have had more than once?  Changing your way of thinking is not easy.  If you have chosen to trust someone to have your best interests at heart and they have disappointed you, don’t dwell on it.  Analyse it.  See where your thinking may have been flawed and direct your course of action accordingly.  Will you lose a McDonalds type deal along the way – perhaps, but, not learning the lesson can be more costly to your overall peace of mind and your future direction. 

Let it go – make a difference, in your life first, then go out there and make changes in the world.  Do what matters!