Some years
ago my favourite politician Donald Tusk intended to show interest and
compassion towards people affected by adverse weather that ruined some crops. It
worked very well up to the point when he
met a capsicum grower. He was an articulate and outspoken man. His complaints and
demands towards the government were as substantial as ill justified. He spoke
emphatically and at length for more than 10 minutes complaining at the weather
and the government. I was in Poland at the time and watched the program
live, after a while I became impatient with repetitions and silly arguments but
one statement got my full interest and attention. The man who was worried about
losses in his capsicum plantation asked Donald Tusk : and how to
live Prime Minister???
For some
reason the question became well known in Poland and it is now proverbial with me.
In the
recent times I experienced many setbacks, health problems, complications, bad
news, loss of friends and generally massive lack of luck. It has been perhaps
the most difficult time I have experienced. I believe that I am over the worst
and now on the mend physically and emotionally. Many things redefined themselves
in the hard times; I was no more sure about my values or meaning of life. During those times the question of the
capsicum grower was coming frequently to my mind: How to live Prime Minister???
In asking the question I was equally pathetic as the outspoken capsicum man. I
was not asking any Prime Minister for answers but perhaps even I was addressing
a superpower. Not sure, but I was sort of desperate and I literally feverish. This is my excuse.
On
reflection, I came to think that it is really a good question, a coaching
question. There are times when things change so much in our lives or we get
such a jerk that we need to look and reevaluate few things. I am a great
believer in importance of knowing and understanding our personal strengths,
purpose or meaning, believes and values. This is how I approach career
transition issues when I coach. Now it is time for me to go to my personal drawing
board and look again at what really is important to me. I have not done it in a
structured way yet, but I already know that friendship, learning and
contribution will be on my short list. I am glad to realize that the most
important has not changed in my personal earthquake.
I am
recommending to anyone the capsicum question: How to live Prime Minister? Only
let’s seek the Prime Minister and the answers within us.