What keeps you up at night?
Wednesday, April 26th, 2006If there’s one thing I know – it’s something. They say the only absolutes are death and taxes but they’re wrong. Our problems keep us up at night – absolutely.
And why is it that these hideous beasts lay in wait until we are comfy and cozy under the covers? What makes us jerk awake in a cold sweat when we’re supposedly in the most comforting and comfortable place of our entire world. The darkness that, earlier, lulled us into a calm and soothing slumber becomes the veil that hides the monsters from our view so that we are powerless to defend ourselves even if we are able to muster the courage.
And what are these monsters that creep toward our trembling and defenseless bodies as we toss and turn in an effort to break free from the night terrors? That’s the truly amazing part. If you experience a major catastrophe at the office and all fingers point to you – it comes as no surprise that you will receive a visit from the dark lord of the night. He will terrorize and taunt you until your body is writhing and tortured and your soul is wishing for release – of any kind. That’s expected. But what about those nights when things have gone well at the office – why then do his minions choose to pay a visit? How many of us have received ghoulish visits that are a result of a minor faux pas at the water cooler – Good God did Sally think I meant SHE was fat???? Oh Lord how can I go on when my coworkers all know that I’m an insensitive boob – aaaaaaarrrrrrrrggggggggg!!!!! Yes, we are often under siege for issues that could, and have been, instantly sloughed off during daylight hours. But at night there’s no sloughing.
Some of us take to alcohol as a means of escape. But that plays right into their hands. Stimulants in alcohol further weaken the body and leave us at the mercy of the heinous night visitors. Others try prescription solutions. Apparently those taking Ambien have been transformed into nightwalking zombies that are traversing the countryside endangering themselves and others. Some are preparing huge banquets (we can’t be sure for whom) and eating the night away, while others still are chauffering their ghostly visitors around town. Yet another potential solution shot to hell! Where to turn?
You thought I’d have the answer – well I don’t. I do know, however, that misery loves company. And I believe that this phenomenon is far more prevalent than we realize. When we are there – alone – at night – we are the only person in the world. And yet we’re not. How many times have we joked with a co-worker “you were up at 2 – why didn’t you call me we could have hung out?”
Our understanding of the power of this phenomenon has resulted in one of the cornerstones of our own business promise. We ask our clients (and prospects) “what keeps you up at night” and then we focus on helping them wrestle their demons to the ground. After all, when you get right down to it, what are any of us looking for in our business partnerships (or in any other phase of life) – some help at finding peace of mind.
So if we can help our clients wrestle their monsters we must have the answers – right? Not exactly. We have been very successful in helping our clients resolve many of their scariest business nightmares, but you’ll recall that this is usually when the more mundane goblins rush in to take their place – and odds are we can’t fix every last one of them. Now you might think if the worst of the problems is gone how bad can it be. Well, if you do you’re forgetting some of those sleepless “water cooler” nights.
I guess it boils down to this. We’re not alone. It’s something we all suffer at some point in time. And it hurts every aspect of our life. If we can focus our minds while under siege maybe we can beat this thing – together. Maybe if we try to envision an army of fellow night sufferers hundreds of millions strong we can also picture a sort of “hands across America” to support us during our darkest hours. I don’t know. I just know I’d like the suffering to stop! How about you?