Just Chug Chug Chug Along
Many people go through life chugging along on drinks and fear. They seem super busy and always have something that they want done that is more important than whatever you are currently doing. But their busyness is just a disguise that helps them think they are handling those fearsome things that are stalking them. You can see these folks in many workplaces. You only hear from them when they are desperate, know that they are failing to meet a goal or they feel they have to respond. Their passive-aggressive emails or insights at meetings are the lowest form of communication and they regularly can’t think of anything good to say about anyone. Chug, chug.
Just Chug It
It’s a lot like taking some bad tasting medicine. Just chug it. Or it turns up as the effort put into showing off by drinking an enormous boot of beer. It’s a little gross. I think that the chuggers are running so fast or watching their backsides so carefully that they don’t see what is up ahead. They surely are not preparing themselves for the inevitable crash. Because they honestly are stuck in the thought that what they are doing can’t be done any other way. So sad. As they run through their video-game life, they can only concentrate on the next monster or falling rock and can’t strategize.
Just Burp
If you find yourself in this particular predicament, there are ways to turn it off. But you have to be ready for others to be surprised by your change in behavior. That’s not always a bad thing. It’s good for all of us to feel a little unsettled at times. It’s like that first bracing cold morning in the fall and it’s a good physical wake up call. When you are used to running, going slowly feels awkward. It may make you think that you are not getting enough done. These are both not true. They are designed to help you transition to that other being. Being aware of how you show up in email and meetings demonstrates your personal outlook. One of the reasons that employees don’t like meetings is the knowledge that there is one person who is always going to have some grumpy complaint or smart-ass comment.
Abstain
The safest way to stop chugging is to abstain. If you find yourself caught in this scenario, just don’t engage mindlessly. The deliberate pause may help you rearrange your point of view and help you watch what is going on instead of jumping in. Any change in your predictable behavior sets you up for responding differently. It’s like a whole new path opens ahead. You can even use this tactic to ward off the chuggers around you. Eventually, you will see how entertaining they are. Their scrambling isn’t really getting them anywhere. Eventually they will get tired and go off to take a nap.
Are people grumpy just to get attention or to ward off others? Can you think of one way you want to change that will create a new perspective? What does chugging accomplish?
