Another Jon Gordon book? Really? I know what you're thinking do I read anything else? Well, yes I do, but Jon's a really good story teller with a great message of remaining positive through difficult situations. Many of his books are quick reads, but they never fail to disappoint and "The Seed" was no different.
We've all found ourselves at a crossroads at work when sometimes that work you are doing is seems to be repetitive and you've lost your "why." Well that is the situation that Josh found himself in when his boss gave him an ultimatum, take two weeks off and when he comes back he should have a decision if he wants to return or move forward.
The book is a reminder how we, as humans, have the tendency to be looking ahead of our current circumstances. Whether it is looking forward towards the future or backwards at the past, happiness will always be evasive. But when you live in the moment, the present, you will always find happiness in your life and work.
When Josh returned to work, eventually under a new moniker - Joshua - as well as promotion, he lived by three principles: 1. never being too busy to help a fellow team member; 2. being the hardest working person on his team; 3. writing and singing words of encouragement to increase team morale.
Every single person has a role to play at work and feel valued for their role. It is what makes a winning team. It is also something, the past few months at Harvard, I've tried to model. Whenever a fellow colleague needed assistance, whether it was at a game or soliciting help for a game, I want to help in any way possible. Most of the time it led to a collaboration of figuring out a workable solution so everyone was as happy as possible.
It is why I had no qualms about working a "triple-header" of two lacrosse matches and a basketball game on what turned out to be the final college game of the spring 2020. It was a long day, but I knew our women's lacrosse contact was appreciative of the assistance, so he could prepare for his men's hockey quarterfinal game later that evening and our men's lacrosse contact, who was with women's basketball.
Once you find out what your role, and it takes awhile to figure out what it is and your role can change, it truly does give you a sense of purpose.
The book is a reminder how we, as humans, have the tendency to be looking ahead of our current circumstances. Whether it is looking forward towards the future or backwards at the past, happiness will always be evasive. But when you live in the moment, the present, you will always find happiness in your life and work.
When Josh returned to work, eventually under a new moniker - Joshua - as well as promotion, he lived by three principles: 1. never being too busy to help a fellow team member; 2. being the hardest working person on his team; 3. writing and singing words of encouragement to increase team morale.
Every single person has a role to play at work and feel valued for their role. It is what makes a winning team. It is also something, the past few months at Harvard, I've tried to model. Whenever a fellow colleague needed assistance, whether it was at a game or soliciting help for a game, I want to help in any way possible. Most of the time it led to a collaboration of figuring out a workable solution so everyone was as happy as possible.
It is why I had no qualms about working a "triple-header" of two lacrosse matches and a basketball game on what turned out to be the final college game of the spring 2020. It was a long day, but I knew our women's lacrosse contact was appreciative of the assistance, so he could prepare for his men's hockey quarterfinal game later that evening and our men's lacrosse contact, who was with women's basketball.
Once you find out what your role, and it takes awhile to figure out what it is and your role can change, it truly does give you a sense of purpose.
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