Maybe We Can't Do That But We Can Do This

Some things we can do; some we can't. Even the Rule of St. Benedict addresses the situation where a monk is given a task that he deems simply too difficult to perform. The "boss" (the Abbot) likely didn't realize this; so his "employee" (the monk) is urged to explain the dilemma in a calm manner. Ideally all will be sorted out for the benefit of each party.

Recently we stumbled on a brief video of a gentleman most of us likely have seen in the media (Kevin O'Leary) talking about a time he worked for Steve Jobs - the founder and famous (perhaps even infamous) CEO of Apple. Having described Jobs as basically an awful person to work for (maybe even an awful person in general), he goes on to describe one of the mainstays of Jobs' business acumen. Some would call it genius. It comes down to the ability to eliminate "the noise."

Of all the items that called for attention, Jobs had the ability to focus (ruthlessly, by the way) on the 4 items that needed doing in the next 18 hours. Talk about a sense of urgency! And you might imagine running an enterprise of the size of Apple, there were lots of items served up on Jobs plate every day. O'Leary, having criticized Jobs temperament and totally obnoxious and offensive way of talking to his employees, then goes on to praise this hyper-focus and ability to eliminate "the noise" to get right down to what were the top priorities of, again, the next 18 hours. (Why 18 hours? There's no explanation of that.)

Would any of us Catholic men at work deem it appropriate to be so unbearably overbearing to folks we may be managing or supervising? Let's hope not. So we may not be able to emulate the methods of a Steve Jobs (and by the way, apparently the "great" Elon Musk is even more immersed in this immediate focus and relentless action). But we might learn a lesson or two, within the bounds of Christian charity.

First, in our work, we should already have developed the ability to prioritize. We may not have the loaded plate of a Steve Jobs, but most of us likely have plates laden with all sorts of activities calling for our attention. We want to be able to identify what needs doing right now - i.e., our most important duty. While most of us already understand the importance or prioritizing, it can remain a daily challenge. 

With that, it might be a good time to recall those "2 Resolutions" we have referenced in the past. Consider printing these out or in some digital way having them "pop up" each morning:

1. I will always take more time than is necessary to do everything. This is the way to avoid being in a hurry and getting excited.

2. Since I will invariably have more things to do than time in which to do them, I will make use of that time beginning with the most important duties. And as regards those that may or may not get done, I shall not worry about them.

Steve Jobs likely would not approve. Taking more time than is necessary to do everything? Nevertheless, notice how these Resolutions urge us to prioritize, while at the same time tempering that urge. This allows for us to be productive yet to remain in a state of peace and tranquility - something the saints always espoused. Oh, and by the way, we have endless examples of saints who accomplished far more, particularly far more things of real lasting importance, than Jobs ever did, or Musk ever will. Nothing against these guys. But facts are facts. 

Indeed, we might take these facts to heart and let go of any desire to "accomplish" what those business "role models" that are thrust at us by all those business books, videos, podcasts, X's or whatever media we allow to grab our attention these days. Better to spend more time reading the lives of the saints than waste any more time trying to emulate a Jobs or a Musk. Besides even it it were possible (and that's unlikely, isn't it?) we know it's really not desirable in the end. 

So maybe we can't do things as Jobs did them or Musk does them. But we can perform our duties diligently, with fervor and exactness, right? That means each task, done exquisitely, with a desire to do it perfectly. We may not achieve perfection each and every time. But it certainly can be a good way to develop and clear unencumbered focus on the task at hand. And with the intention of doing all for the glory of God, our efforts will, frankly, surpass those the world holds up to us as examples to emulate.

Oh, and one more thing: Let's not forget to remember that all - as in ALL - is in the hands of God. Not that this causes us to slack off in any way from effort and focus, but it does reflect reality - because all in indeed in His Hands.

We'll expand on this next time...