Think As Inc

OIL THE QUIET WHEELS, TOO

August 24, 2009 on 2:02 am | In life coaching | No Comments

“Whenever I feel like exercise, I lie down until the feeling passes.”  –  Robert Maynard Hutchins, writer 

That quote not only makes me laugh, but also underscores how easy it is to overlook what is important to us.  With exercise, if we don’t do it, there is no immediate consequence.  We can lie down or read or whatever till that free time for exercise is gone.  We may feel a little guilt but otherwise no consequence.  It is only much later, after the weight gain, the bad back or the aching knees, that we realize we should have paid more attention.

Instead we pay attention to the obvious clients, but not necessarily the most important ones.  You might have a very demanding boss who gets all the attention.  But other department managers also determine raises and promotions.  Other colleagues know the best projects in the pipeline.  You don’t spend time with the other managers or colleagues because you’re too busy with immediate demands.  A year later, you don’t get the promotion, but don’t know where else to move, and your network is dry.   

There is a popular saying about the squeaky wheel getting the oil.  Of course, you have to fulfill your obligations to your immediate boss, often the squeaky wheel, just not at the expense of quiet but important clients:  other management, colleagues past and present, your personal well-being.  The temptation is to keep busy and let things take care of themselves.  But just as giant businesses can get overtaken by smaller rivals (think Kmart v. Walmart), your life can be determined by clients you took for granted.  You don’t want to realize that while you were oiling the squeakiest wheel, it wasn’t on the car headed your target direction.  Where do you want to go?  What wheels will get you there?  Oil the quiet wheels, too.