Yesterday I kept running up against walls – nothing major but the types of things that make one feel she’s not getting anywhere…fast. Shortly after lunch the thought crossed my mind that I was stuck.

Thank goodness for Pete Wilson! As I verbalized my frustration to God in prayer, I immediately remembered hearing Pete speak at Dream Year Nashville Weekend this past January. He said that when we think we’re stuck, we just need to stop what we’re doing, go do whatever it is that recharges us (playing with the kids, a hot bath, reading a book). Once we’ve taken the time to nourish ourselves we can return to work again.

My recharge included some reading and a bit of fresh air (two things I’ve done much too little of lately).

Take a few moments and make a list of things that energize you so that next time you think you’re stuck you don’t have to stay there.

Today I had a frustrating experience with a BlueDoor.tv vendor.  They failed to communicate something, I assumed something had been done, and now it’s an issue.

Poor service always looks like this (and the above situation is no exception):

1) Error made.

2) Somebody’s expectations aren’t met.

3) Problem surfaces.

Part 3 of the list above is where the magic can happen!  You get to remedy your goof-up, and the customer (hopefully) gives you another chance.

Knowing this, what can you do?  Crave feedback.  Ask for it.  Customer/attendee/patient feedback is a gift.  When you receive it, treat it with respect and adjust accordingly.

Determine one way you can get feedback today so that your final product/experience/service is better than it was yesterday.

Recently I overheard the story of a man who’d been flying in the US.  As the plane he was on neared the runway the pilot quickly picked up speed and returned to a higher altitude unexpectedly. This man looked at his watch and noticed they’d have arrived rather early had they landed at that time but – like everyone else on the plane – had no confirmed idea as to why they didn’t land.

No word from the pilot. Tension rose as twenty minutes passed. One man began sweating profusely and had a panic attack. A woman in the back of the plane had a stroke.

The man said that the pilot finally came over the intercom and said that they’d been told to circle the airport for awhile until their scheduled arrival time. Too little, too late.

Are you leaving anything unsaid that those you’re leading need to hear from you?

Speak up.