DURING one of the school talks I conducted recently, I learnt about an inspiring story of a group of parents who decided to do something about their children's school traffic situation. A year earlier, many parents had come forward to voice their concern regarding the traffic safety in front of the school. It seems that there were some irresponsible drivers who thought nothing of speeding while the schoolchildren were trying to cross the street. It's a tragedy waiting to happen.
The parents then decided to take action rather than just complain. They brainstormed on possible ways to deal with the problem. They managed to work with the local authority to turn the road into a one-way street and install speed bumps.
This is a fine example of what I call the 10-90 Rule; 10 per cent complaining, 90 per cent taking action. When things aren't right, we should be the first to recognise it and come forward to fix it.
"If it is to be, it is up to me." These are powerful words in the English language, first coined by William H. Johnsen, because they empower anyone to take action rather than just wait for things to happen. It's not about trying to be a "hero'; it's about doing what's right.
BEING AWARE
In the larger context of life, we can also put this concept to work. Instead of just complaining about how things aren't working in our life, we can go down to see what's causing the problem. Are we giving enough attention to it?
What kind of proactive measures are we taking? Do something to correct the situation. If our daily schedules are too full, cut something out. If our priorities don't include the family, change it right away to reflect what's really important for us.
Be aware that each action (or inaction) comes with a consequence. For example, spending quality time with our family today will create a strong bond that may prove useful in the later years. Saving some money today will prove useful in our golden years. Having proper career planning will create a smooth journey on the way to the top. Getting enough sleep and exercises will ensure we stay healthy as we grow older.
DOING YOUR PART
Being responsible with our action today will help to shield us from tomorrow's temptations and negative elements. Our proactive intervention will prevent many future problems too. Yet, it doesn't have to be a long and tedious process. Just a few minutes of daily quality time given to planning and reflections are usually enough to create a big, lasting impact.
In life, we'll always have a choice of "to do" or "to ignore". I'd highly recommend the former because by doing something about the things we firmly believe need fixing, we're not only making this world a slightly better place to live in, but also experiencing a deep sense of achievement. A year from now, when we revisit the situation, we can proudly say that, "yes, it looks better now, and I've done my part to make it happen!"
Zaid Mohamad coaches and trains others to bring out their best while enjoying a peaceful, purposeful life. Reach him at [email protected].
