As the year draws to a close, I find myself reviewing the good news of the past year, and some of the best advice I’ve received. One of the true gems from this year comes from my oncologist, who informs me my cancer prognosis remains solid. I’m still a Stage 4 cancer patient, but it’s managed very well. My expiration date remains 10-15 years out.
I asked her the magic question when I got the good news. Why? Why am I holding up so well?
Her advice has resonated through the remainder of my year and in a host of different areas in my life. You’re sticking to the regimen even though you’re feeling good.
I, frankly, would have put it the other way around. I think I’m feeling good because I’m sticking to the plan!
She shook her head and began to explain. A lot of patients start feeling better and believe they’ve overcome the disease. They get tired of the daily pills, the chemo, the semi-annual radiation and the monthly visits. They feel better. And all of the day-to-day gets a little tiring. They drop the regimen because they’re feeling good. When the cancer resurges, they have a much more daunting hill to climb. It’s often difficult to stick to the plan when it’s doing precisely what we need it to do.
That’s profound.
Think about our lives. We plan. And sometimes, the plans work. And when they work, we celebrate the success and think that in some way, shape or form we don’t have to plan anymore. We don’t have to stick to the approach that has carried us this far. We’re getting things done! We don’t need to have those daily morning stand-up meetings anymore. We don’t need regular process reporting. Risk management is just another administrative exercise, sucking up our time and energy. (BUZZER SOUND EFFECT) Wrong Answer!
When everything is going right, we need to redouble our efforts to stick to the plan. We need to be zealots about the regimen and the approach. And when we’re experiencing praiseworthy outcomes, we can celebrate! And then…get up the next morning…and stick to the plan.
