3/20/11
No matter your age, you know who they are. Although they only created their unique brand of classic rock music from 1965 to 1973, they have sold over 90 million records worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But did you know how they chose their name. Its genesis is a reference to a William Blake quotation: "When the doors of perception are cleansed, things will appear to man as they truly are...infinite."
But I digress. This Minute isn’t about the rock band – it’s about the “doors” we all face in life. You see, whether in matters of the heart; matters of vocation or career; or even matters of state; there exists a collection of doors in our life that are either opened or closed. And occasionally, we come to a point where we need to make a decision to open one that is closed, or close one that is opened. It appears that the United States of America is trying to close a door that it opened decades ago. The prostitution of American principles of freedom and democracy to short term gains in developing regions of the world, caused us to open the door to supporting several tyrants and dictators. Not a good door to open – and to be sure, a tough one to close. And that really is the point here: when confronting the decision to open or close a door, be sure to give that decision the thoughtfulness that it deserves. Be sure to understand the implications and to own the consequences. Because often times, once you take a decision like that – you may not be able to change it easily.
I fear I have a specific example of that. A friend of mine has been doing very well at work over the last few years. Indeed, he seems to have somewhat of a champion in his boss. Well, recently he was offered an opportunity that involved some risk and inconvenience on his part, but it was needed by the organization and by his boss. For a host of reasons – he declined. I may be wrong – but I hear the distinct sound of a big door slamming shut and a deadbolt sliding into place. Now I’m not saying that door will never open again – but if it does, it will take time. It will take quite some time. And the thing is – I don’t believe he sees that. He neither understands the implications nor owns the consequences. He doesn't realize what he has lost.
Oh yes – one other piece of advice as it relates to doors. Understand those doors that are moved based on your timing, and your timing only. In the example above, my friend really couldn’t control timing – he had to make a choice. But there are some doors that we can open or close at a timing of our choice. In those cases – my advice is always “keep your options open.” Since you may not get a “mulligan”, don’t make a decision to open or close a door until you absolutely must.
(see “A Million and One Ways to be One-in-a-Million”; Chapter 5 – A Stitch in Time and Chapter 8 – You Always Have Choices)
