Finding the "Better Way"

"There's a better way to do it; find it." - Thomas Edison.

This quote was immersed in the middle of a workshop module I recently facilitated, encouraging employees to embrace their inner inventor and give themselves permission to brainstorm some edgy, creative ideas. The words not only speak to the perseverance of Edison--who triumphed in the light after many failed efforts that probably left him questioning the meaning of it all while still in the dark--but to the human spirit that has tenaciously produced amazing breakthroughs across all disciplines.

Perhaps today  you are struggling to find that "better way." The usual obstacles of minutia-flavored responsibilities, bureaucracy, the expectations of others and--most importantly--your own doubts are likely blocking the path.

These obstacles might feel huge. But put into context, they are miniscule. And the context I have in mind this morning is not just Edison but Viktor Frankl and his story told in the classic book Man's Search for Meaning. Frankl chronicles how, despite living in the conditions of a Holocaust-era concentration camp (talk about obstacles) he was able to tap into a deep core of purposeful living. Fortunate enough to survive the camp, Frankl spent the rest of his psychology career writing and teaching about how others could find enduring meaning and rise above the narcissism, pessimism and distractions that conspire daily to strip the wonder out of it all.

Think again, now, about the obstacles Frankl faced and what you must endure today in the cubicle, the household or out in the community. Is the "better way" really all that elusive to you; or can you unleash the best of your personal ingenuity to find it now rather than "someday?" You are stronger, smarter and more resilient than you think.