The Coaching Corner with Michael Riegel: More is Better?

Chinsoku is a Japanese word meaning to feel sufficient or satisfied with what we have. Too often, my clients believe that more is better. More money, more responsibility, more staff, more social media likes…just more. Many never take a step back to ask themselves what having more would mean or the unintended consequences. This applies equally to those working within organizations as it does to business owners.
 
Some seem hard-wired to believe that there will never be enough. They may have been told at an early age that forward progress and success means striving for and accumulating more. It is a conscious choice to choose and adopt a mindset of chisoku. Sometimes, it is hard to make that choice or to even calculate what enough even means. Let’s consider some of the big picture and tactical elements of choosing enough as a default approach.

What are you trying to accomplish?

In our daily lives, most of us do not sit back and ponder the big picture. We may look up and realize that we have strayed from our chosen personal or professional paths. Examining the trajectory of your journey and the guidepost that you planted provides an opportunity to ask:

• Why is or was that important?
• What would be the impact of achieving that goal?
• What is another way to think about success?

Where the Rubber Hits the Road

It is also important to have some practical reminders of your success, goals, and ability to opt for chinsuko in lieu of the ever-increasing pace of your treadmill. Some will piggyback on the advice you might get from your accountant or financial planner (now that we are past April 15th).

• Do you have a comprehensive budget?
• Is your rainy day fund adequate for any unforeseen circumstances (job loss, death, elder care, early contract termination)?
• Are you reviewing your finances regularly (cash, accounts receivable, expenses)?

I am a planner by nature and find comfort in the tactical elements. I also know that my wife is happy to let me take that on, but I bring her into the decision making as an equal partner. Her lack of natural interest does not get her off the hook. I just have to be strategic in “how and when” for those conversations. Those conversations are critical for our personal lives as much as for our business. It guides decisions about when projects can be turned down or when we can go on vacation or how much house we can afford.

We do not apply this idea unilaterally. There are never enough laughter-filled dinners with family. Not enough belly rubs for our rescue-dog Nash. Never too many beautiful vistas and sunsets in a National Park. Never enough calls for help or advice. I welcome any calls or emails about how we made that transition and some of the tools we use to make those decisions. You can reach me at MRiegel@AECBusinessStrategies.com.

Michael Riegel