I have a great job, but some days it seems like I go from one fire to the next. How about you?
Today was one of those days. Just when I thought I was done and could get back to “my job,” something else flared up.
About that time, Mark Schoenwald, our Chief Sales Officer, sent me a wonderful quote from Max Lucado’s soon-to-be-released book, Every Day Deserves a Chance. Mark had no idea what kind of day I was having, but his e-mail could not have been more timely.
Citing management consultant Robert Updegraff, Max writes,
You ought to be glad for the troubles on your job because they provide about half your income. If it were not for the things that go wrong, the difficult people with whom you deal, and the problems of your working day, someone could be found to handle your job for half of what you are being paid. So start looking for more troubles. Learn to handle them cheerfully and with good judgment, as opportunities rather than irritations, and you will find yourself getting ahead at a surprising rate. For there are plenty of big jobs waiting for people who are not afraid of troubles.
When I read this, I laughed out load. This is exactly the right perspective. Somehow the rest of my day went much better.
Technorati Tags: motivation, your job
Building Champions has been coaching me since 2002. They have taught me to be more proactive and intentional in both my business and personal life. Visit their Web site to learn more and see their special offer for my blog readers.
Related posts:
In: 
Tags: 
Your post was good timing for me as well, and a salve to a long day. Another way of phrasing this: apparently some eastern monks used to pray for troubles as a way to test themselves, and considered any problems they got as “blessings.”
Mike,
Thanks for your article. It reminds me that I, too, should welcome trouble. I coordinate an Easter Sunrise Service on Crescent Beach near St. Augtine, Florida. This annual Sunrise Service has attracted a lot of attention in this area. Last year we had between 4 and 5 thousand in attendance on the beach.
It is a beautiful service, starting just as the sun rises. Near the platform, for the singers and the speaker, is a 25 foot cross silhouetted againt an Atlantic Ocean sunrise. People bring their lawn chairs and blankets to sit near the platform and enjoy the service.
In trying desperately to make this event even bigger and better, I aimed a little too high — I thought– in one area. I had challenged one group of people to the point that I became fearful that they would not be able to reach the goal. I thought I had made real trouble for them and ultimately for myself.
Before my next meeting with them I put several alternative plans into the works. When they sensed how much I wanted the ultimate goal to be reached, they completely rejected the alternatives and said, “We can do this.” They came through with flying colors. I have to admit I was amazed — but thrilled.
It let me see that my people would not accept what they thought was a problem to me. Had I not had the “problem” I would not have seen their “heart” in helping to overcome it.
Lindsay Terry
“If it were not for the things that go wrong, the difficult people with whom you deal, and the problems of your working day, someone could be found to handle your job for half of what you are being paid.”
Wondering how to put a “mom spin” on that part made me laugh. I’ll have to digest it awhile to articulate it. Good food for thought.
Nice picture choice.
“Problems are merely another opportunity to remain employed.”
I love the quote, “In the midst of difficulty, lies opportunities.” R. Dugan
From Where I Sit: Why You Should Welcome Trouble
Link: From Where I Sit: Why You Should Welcome Trouble. You may wonder why a blog targeting the construction industry would include the CEO of a publishing company on its blog roll. Read this post from Michael Hyatt and you