Life has a strange way of throwing challenges at us.
When we put in our effort, it does not mean we will be rewarded with a kind word, let alone appreciation. When we ask questions, lo and behold, we are creating issues that should not happen in the first place. Huh? Whaaa? Hmmmm……..
How do we deal with such challenges? For me, I speak up (even if it’s the last time; till death do us part. Kekekeee), after which I move on and happily continue with my life.
So, darlings, when the going reeli, reeli gets tough, THE TOUGH GETS GOING!
Share with us, especially Agony Aunt G here, how do you deal with challenges that somehow makes you the bad guy?
Geraldine
When the going gets tough, go drink wine and pig out!
Me, I go and brisk walk with loud music blasting in my ears. Or bake a cake!
Carly
There is much truism in the saying whether it applies to an individual, a company or a nation.
In our SHC context, when a member puts an event in the post, the EO/ EC is apprehensive about the consequence of whether he will receive adequate response or whether he will be appreciated, or he will receive negative comments.
When these things happened, and the going gets tough, would he be discouraged and would decide to discontinue putting any more events.
Let us expand our discussion to a wider arena of a company. When it faces
adversity, what does it do in order to remain relevant and fight for its survival.
Not too long ago two companies encountered intense competitions in the mobile
phone industries. They are Nokia of Finland and Samsung Electronics of South Korea. The going was really tough. Nokia was losing big money though at one time it was the number one cell phone in the world. It was not tough enough to get going. It decided to drop out of the race. It was acquired by Microsoft of USA.
But Samsung was tough to get going. It started to come out with a lot of innovations in terms of design and marketing. It has become the top company In the industry. Is it luck or ingenuity? By the way Samsung appointed Dr. Oh-Hyun Kwon as an CEO on June 8 2012. One of his outstanding credentials is that he graduated with a Ph. D in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University.
In conclusion, whether on a individual or company level, the saying ” When the going is tough, the tough gets going” is indeed applicable.
Robert Ong
Hi Geraldine
Some challenges are not worth the time of the day. I would leave it and move on. It’s like seranading to a bull. The bull does not know how to appreciate the music. So why waste time on it?
Lily
Right, Caroline, shall certainly take your advice and drink red wine but no pigging out cuz it would make me become 200 pounds in no time and it would also mean the challenger wins. No, sireee!!
Hi Robert
You are right on about the Shc context when it comes to organizing or co-organizing for the club.
First the enthusiasm, then the apprehension about the response, the anxiety on the actual day and finally, the VERDICT.
Negative comments – what I call complaints, kakakaa are inevitable. A given, so to speak. All EOs and ECs have to be mentally prepared.
What I find puzzling about the club’s culture lately, or should I say the past year or so, is that even when members are happy with a gathering/activity, they no longer post their thank yous on the forum; just a sprinkle here and there from time to time, compared to the old days where members would do so to show their appreciation.
Yes, they may message etc to the EO/EC privately. Why not on the forum? Until one organizses something for the club and having gone thru the above ‘turmoil’, one does not know what it’s like after having organized something and the forum is void of thank yous.
So, with such a scenario, when the going gets tough, the tough runs away……..sad, really.
Speaking of which, what happens to your East gathering? Wanna rekindle?
Hahahaaaa, Lily, ‘serenading to a bull’! So apt and bulls-eye!! Right on target.
Shall serenade to a cow in future. Hopefully, the cow knows how to dance to the music.
MOOOOO…………
Hi Geraldine
Looking back, I noticed I have organised nine events as an EO, out of which seven were on ” Monthly gatherings for the Easterlies”.
I must say initially there was much enthusiasm, but it soon lost its impetus.
You asked me whether I want to rekindle the event.
I feel it should be left to someone else who may come up with new ideas, topics and places to rekindle interests.
But the sustainability of the endeavour is also pivotal on the participation of the SHC members. Their attendance and active participation are essential. This is illustrated by what transpired in one of the gatherings.
In my first gathering I listed a number of topics for dialogue, one of which was on
a person widely publicised as the “Tiger Mum”. She wrote a book on traditional
parenting based on her life experiences. Disappointingly, the participants did not
read up on the topic and of course I was “overruled”. The curiosity was not there.
Don’t they want to know who was this person and what did she write in the book.
Robert
Hi Robert
I empathize with your ‘disappointment’.
At the same time, I want to thank you for sharing your EO experience. Very honest without being impolite.
I suppose when members get together, they want to catch up and if they are new or do not know other members at the same activity, they are shy and reserved.
Also, at our age, we tend not to want to do ‘homework’ anymore before we meet up with frens. So, from that perspective, it’s not surprising that members are not curious about the topic.
Yes, sustainability is key to having an on-going activity. Alas, interest does wane and it’s the reason an activity etc ‘dies’ a natural death, so to speak.
That said, it would still be great if you organize something and if the timing etc is right, you know you have my support.