This quote has been attributed to many people over the years — from Dwight Eisenhower to Clint Eastwood. I remember the first time I ever read it, sitting in my former boss’s office, waiting for him to get off the phone. When I first read it, I switched the sentence around to fit what I thought it should say.
It was only after reading it for a third time did I realize that the meaning was the opposite of what I had anticipated.
My former boss had many strengths, among them being an excellent strategic thinker who contemplated all options before pursuing a specific course of action. Whenever I feel rushed to make a decision, I stop and think about this quote — and embrace the stillness and reflective moment instead.
This quote resonates with me over the summer, in particular, as I think about AcceleratingCFO and my clients’ businesses and how we can all strategically pursue profitability. At this mid-way point in the year, the moment is ripe for each of us to take a birds-eye-view of our achievements to date and establish revised goals for the short and long-term — both personally and professionally.
It’s important for each of us to take some time and stop moving for moving’s sake. By making room for stillness in your life leads to greater reflection and analytical decision-making. So what are some of the things that Scott and I are thinking about in the stillness as we head into the second half of 2021:
1. How are our clients doing in comparison to competitors and other specific industry trends?
2. What trends and techniques are happening in the financial world that AcceleratingCFO needs to learn more about?
3. What books, both self-development and fictional, should we be reading in order to become the best financial leaders that we can be?
4. What lingering effects (if any) will there be as people return to work in an office more frequently post-pandemic?
5. How does AcceleratingCFO convey its vision and mission of financial stability and discipline to more entrepreneurs?
Is it just me, or do you also find that it is at our busiest when it becomes the most critical to take a moment and reflect on our future and where we should be heading? When I don’t have time to think about what I am doing, I know that I need to step back and contemplate the priorities for me, my family, and my clients. The beautiful summertime weather is a reminder to sit back, reflect, and think about what we want to manifest in our lives. I encourage you to take the time to be still and consider what direction you’re heading in to ensure that you are maximizing your efforts in achieving both personal and professional success.
Takeaway: If you think your company is at a crossroads and you are not sure what the next steps are for your business, it makes sense to have a free diagnostic performed by AcceleratingCFO. For assistance on what direction you should take at your fork in the road, reach out to Scott and Brian at info@acceleratingcfo.com.
Co-founders & Managing Partners
AcceleratingCFO
