There are many business opportunities available, but only a few unlock the door to high income, purpose and satisfaction. When you don’t let this time-waster stop your business from growing, you avoid a whirlpool of activities that steal valuable time and money.
Every office environment has a culture. In the culture, there are groups and sub-groups. You won’t see these groups described in the employee handbook. Most times, your training won’t cover the rules of the groups. Yet, much of how coworkers perceive you is determined by how you manage your exposure and participation in the groups and subgroups.
When I worked in corporate management, we enjoyed a lucrative bonus structure. One part of the bonus opportunity included an invitation to a company-paid training at a 5-star vacation resort. The training lasted from 8:00 to noon. Then we enjoyed company-paid leisure activities while building relationships and making valuable connections. We were privy to company plans before they introduced them to the general population. Our travel group stayed a few steps ahead of people who didn’t make the trip. Opportunities on this trip could clear your mind and reset your career.
Getting invited to the annual trip gave you elite status and respect among your peers. However, a sub-group that emerged from the large group became the elite of the elite. The CEO, presidents and executives loved to play golf. They also took the employees who were good golfers with them to play on their team. During our leisure time, we played on some of the most beautiful golf courses in the country. We also built relationships and engaged in conversation about the company. Then, at the company dinner, we sat together and talked about the game. That’s where many strategic business alliances happened. It wasn’t easy to get into the group, but if advancement was the goal, it was worth it.
With only about 10% of the employees traveling, who did we leave at the office?
Introducing – The Kiddie Pool
Of course, there are many groups and subgroups that do not take part in such trips. There’s one group who not only did not participate, but they didn’t want to go. They knew about the opportunity, but they had no interest because they didn’t want to grow. They got left behind willingly and purposefully.
I call this group the “kiddie pool.” They splash a lot of water but they don’t go anywhere. People get caught up in this distracter because it pretends to make life easier. Instead, it pulls you down without you knowing how far down you have gone. It runs from conflict, responsibility and refuses to fight a worthwhile battle to victory.
Their reasons for not trying is something like this:
- I don’t like those people
- They are all fake
- They only care about money
- I don’t trust them
- They have their favorites
Although the reasons might be true, why is the belief so strong that it stops them from trying when the benefits are so great? Many times, people in the kiddie pool don’t try because there is a price to advance. Instead, they choose the easy way, not realizing that easy has a price too.
Let me clarify.
It’s not wrong to enjoy the kiddie pool if you intentionally do not desire to grow in your business or career and you’re not hurting anyone. There are retirees who hang in the kiddie pool and people who have other commitments that require their time and energy elsewhere. There are also people who have so many stressors at home that the kiddie pool is all they can handle.
However, if you desire to live purposefully and fully, maximizing every heartbeat like my Wild Friends, run from the kiddie pool! It is a sunken place that breeds complacency and soothes lack. The ease of the kiddie pool will cost you!
Here’s why you must avoid the kiddie pool time-waster to catapult your business, career or Marketplace Ministry
- The kiddie pool is time consuming. People in the kiddie pool enjoy fun activities and shallow conversations. They enjoy conversations about celebrities, popular TV shows and the latest office gossip. This group soothes your inner critic, but vexes your personal growth.
- The kiddie pool appears to be fun, but it’s actually emotionally draining. You can’t grow with the travel team while you’re swimming in the kiddie pool. People who hang in the kiddie pool don’t care about the stressors of advancement. However, because of the nonchalant attitude, they also tend to struggle financially. That’s because the kiddie pool doesn’t pay very well.
- The kiddie pool sends a message. The message tells other people how you feel, with whom you agree and what you believe. People are always watching and drawing conclusions based on what they see you doing.
- The kiddie pool limits you. The people in the kiddie pool may seem laid back, but they still care. They like for you to stay in the kiddie pool with them. They like for you to stay true to the pool. Most people in the kiddie pool get uncomfortable when you see things differently or want to move up in your career and life.
“Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life. Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech. Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.” (Proverbs 4:23-27)
Yes, it’s good to avoid the kiddie pool when you want to advance your career. However, you still have to navigate its presence with other associates and treat people respectfully.
Here are some suggestions to help you navigate the kiddie pool splashers.
- Talk with simple conversation. Keep personal information to yourself. People in the kiddie pool (and other groups too) love to chat about each other’s personal lives. Your story is likely to become warped with a new version that is not true.
- Keep your big vision goals to yourself. Kiddie pool splashers are not comfortable with your faith-filled dreams. They easily become intimidated and insecure, creating a dislike of you and your dreams.
- Keep your successes to yourself. Instead of celebrating with you, some kiddie pool splashers feel intimidated by your success. Instead of being happy for you, they remember their own, left behind dreams. They won’t celebrate with you because they are jealous of you.
- Respect their culture from afar. Be careful not to judge kiddie pool splashers. They are having their own life experience based on their choices and beliefs.
Avoiding the kiddie pool requires finesse. These splashers are often funny, easygoing and sincerely desire to hang with you. However, when you are on a mission to advance, you still must avoid the Lure of the Detour. A kiddie pool splasher as a best work friend is not good for you. Love, be kind, enjoy some laughs, then get out of there. If you are not careful, you’ll find yourself involved in activities with a need to maneuver your way out. Your business goals have enough challenges for you to overcome. Fortunately, this one is easy.
Kiddie pool splashing is OK for some people, but it’s a time-waster for you. You have so much more to offer and accomplish. Don’t try to explain. Just quietly step away Wild Friend. There’s much more waiting for you.
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