Monday’s Muse – Making a Difference

An old employer of mine was fond of talking of building his business and legacy and likening it to the story of the 3 bricklayers. If you’ve never heard the story, it’s basically about these 3 bricklayers working and how only one of them really sees the vision that he’s crafting brick by brick. It’s a motivational story told to businessmen to teach the importance of having a clear vision in order to achieve that dreamt-of success.

Those of you who follow me know that I am a Sesame Street fan, and that I’m disappointed in the show that it’s become. I look at it as symbolic of business in general today. I imagine that the creators had a vision that centered on making a difference in the lives of others, and never imagined that it would become a worldwide phenomenon of the 70s and 80s. And while I think that the company still believes it’s focused on education, I think it has fallen short of that, and is just another business. When we look around us it’s all about the dollar. It’s about profitability today. Profitability first, passion second.

It’s not enough to strive for passion that makes itself sustainable, we have to fill the pockets of shareholders and directors. We have to pay bonuses and demonstrate just how important we are. If we were focused on people-first, we wouldn’t be in the mess that surrounds us today. So what do we do about it. I can’t say I have the answer, but I know that it’s not enough for me to just sit and complain.

I can look back to the messages of old Sesame Street – take care of each other, TRY to be a good example to someone else, accept yourself for who you are, celebrate your strengths but don’t be a show-off, accept criticism with humility, value other people (no matter how straaaange they look). And don’t take yourself too seriously.

This was my Monday Muse, hosted by Cinnamon and Honey. Check her out for more Monday Muses.

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