LISTEN:
I’ve been a big fan of the 1960s television sitcom, Gilligan’s Island since I was a kid.
For whatever reason, the goofy show about seven stranded castaways always makes me laugh, even as an adult. Now I’m sharing the exploits of Gilligan, the Skipper, and the gang with my granddaughters, as I own all three seasons on DVD.
In nearly every episode, the castaways were trying valiantly to be rescued. From the cockamamie to the absurd, ideas were attempted in an effort to get “back to civilization.” Based on the lifestyle they lived, I’m not sure they had it so bad!
Everyone and every business will need to be rescued at some point.
The past week saw the courageous efforts from rescue workers at the devastating condominium collapse in Miami. We’ve all witnessed similar rescue attempts in hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes.
What often go unnoticed are the rescue efforts that happen daily in both business and life…
In business, we saw a lot of rescue missions during the pandemic. From PPP loans bringing valuable financial resources to companies, to innovative ideas concocted by entrepreneurs and business thought leaders that pivoted from disaster to prosperity. Even “The Professor” would have been proud!
Other business rescue efforts came in the midst of physical calamities to buildings, in assisting injured workers to heal and get back to work quickly.
In our personal lives, we’ve all noted rescue efforts with neighbors helping neighbors who needed help; when service organizations like Rotary, Lions, and Kiwanis came to the aid of those in need both financially and with helping hands; and when family members answered the bell when called upon to help with those struggling with pain, illness, depression, and addiction.
So what’s this all mean for you today?
Three things…
First, we all will need to be “rescued” from time to time. Understanding the situation and being open and vulnerable to assistance is the only way one can be rescued. There is no heroism trying to rescue oneself…being open to help is necessary for getting off your own “island.”
Second, those around us may need help. That means family, friends, employees, and co-workers. It might even be people we don’t even know. In a fast-paced life, it can be easy to overlook people who either are tentative to ask for help, or don’t know how. We should all pay attention more and sometimes simply ask the question, “are you okay?”
Third, businesses are very often in need of being rescued. Calamities like fire, flood, cyber attack, product recall, death/disability of owner, and theft put a business on an island. If one doesn’t know where to send up the flares, then help coming quickly can’t happen. The best way to recover and get rescued quickly is to preemptively create a plan – including people to contact – that details what the next steps are in the process of being rescued.
While the castaways never left Gilligan’s Island – until a few really terrible television movie attempts – we can all be both rescuer and rescued as long as we are attentive, preventive, and empathic.
Note: In July, I’m embarking on a new program around being “Unleashed.” The concepts will be around advancing motivation, inspiration, and ideas for you to create a more rewarding life.
If you’d like an early sneak peak, email me with the subject – Get Unleashed!
Quote of the Week:
“Imagination and fiction make up more than three quarters of our real life.”
~ Simone Weil, 20th century French philosopher
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