Peaks and Valleys – a Timely Read
I just finished reading the latest book from Spencer Johnson, M.D. Johnson has written such best sellers as the One Minute Manager and Who Moved My Cheese and in his latest book he again adopts the story telling method of sharing his insights.
The Peaks and Valleys is all about the high and low times of life; both in work and at home. Certainly as small business owners we are clawing our way out of one of the worst valleys in recent history and I wish I'd found this book 8 months ago.
He talks about how to view our peaks and valley; how to make the peak times last longer and the valley times be easier to manage. To recap how to get out of a valley sooner he says:
Relax, knowing that Valleys end. Do the opposite of what put you in the Valley. Get outside of yourself; be of more service at work and more loving in life. Avoid comparison. Uncover the good that is hidden in a bad time, and use it soon to your advantage.
It is so easy and yet when we are at the darkest, deepest point of a valley in our life it is so hard to say "hmmm, I wonder what the good is here?" Yet, when I have done just that, it has helped me put the dark times in perspective.
I have also heard that one way to overcome fear of a situation is by asking yourself "What is the worse that can happen" to see if the worst is something you can live with. If the worst is still manageable – then go for it!
And I'd say go for it and read Dr. Johnson's latest book. It is a quick read and yet filled with so much wisdom it is worth reading again and again.
Have you read it? What did you think?