“That the birds of worry and care fly above your head, this you cannot change. But that they build nests in your hair, this you can prevent.”~Chinese proverb
Every time I read this quote I invariably envision nests in my hair – and I laugh. Yet how often do I, do we, let those birds land and build away?
The other day I was listening to a client go on and on about something he didn’t want to have happen at work. His boss was contemplating a reorganization, and my client was concerned that he would lose some of the most fulfilling parts of his current job. My client was seemingly stuck in this potential scenario – every interruption I offered, every different perspective or potential outcome I shared, every question I put forth to bring my client back – none of these were able to stop or slow the roll he was on.
Towards the end of our session I was able to interject one simple thought that my client finally heard. “It hasn’t happened yet,” I shared. “For all we know, it may not.”
How often have you allowed yourself to worry endlessly about something…only to have it not ever happen? How often do we lose ourselves in those worry bird’s nests – they’re all tangled up in our hair, and we can’t get away because wherever we go, they go with us.
We do have a choice – as my client did that day. “Don’t trouble trouble ‘till trouble troubles you,” someone once shared with me. Don’t let those birds nest in your hair.
The next time those birds are building their nests, stop and ask them to leave.
What “worry birds” have you allowed to nest in your hair? How can you take apart the nests and set them (and yourself) free?
Please leave a comment.
If you enjoyed this post, you can read more like it in our book, The Power of Thoughtful Leadership: 101 Minutes To Being the Leader You Want To Be, available on Amazon.
For help in keeping the “worry birds” out of your hair, contact Lisa at lkohn@chatsworthconsulting.com.
Photo Credit: Pinterest.com
