Many of you know that I broke my ankle a couple of months ago while I was visiting family in Boulder, Colorado. You've seen me traveling around on a knee scooter with a big boot which now has been replaced by a smaller brace. X-rays show that the ankle is healing well and I have begun physical therapy to help strengthen my foot and ankle to prevent another fall. Of course, staying away from snow and ice will help with that! Many of you are no strangers to the experience of going through physical therapy with the required sets of exercises under the supervision of a therapist. One of the PT assistants I was working with the other day said something that took me aback at first. He was asking me to balance on my weak leg and asked if I wanted to hold the balance for 30 seconds or 15 seconds as I had done the last time. Before I had time to answer he said, “Check your ego at the door.” Wait, what? What does that have to do with my therapy? I thought maybe he meant that I shouldn't push too much to try to impress him. Although it was new to me, it turns out that “Check your ego at the door” is a common saying around gyms and in business as well. At the gym it means it doesn't matter where you finish, only that you give it a solid effort. Leave the gym better than when you walked in. My sister-in-law is a personal trainer and she suggested the PT assistant might have meant “stay within your comfort zone”. In a business context it means focusing on the bigger picture and not just yourself. When working with a client, listen to them and understand their desires before coming to your own conclusion or solution. Remain focused on the values and mission of the business.
Actually, check your ego at the door is a great life lesson. We know people who we say have a “big ego” meaning they are full of self-importance. We know others who will never admit they are wrong. We know someone who only thinks about their own needs and never the needs of others. We also know that sometimes it is our own ego that gets in our way of living a full and happy life. I found a funny e-card that says: “Please, come in. Leave your ego and attitude that stinks at the door, I can smell it from here….” Having a sense of humor is certainly one way to check your ego at the door! Who knew I'd get a life lesson while balancing on my leg for 30 seconds!
Get involved!
Comments