Tomorrow is the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere, the day with the shortest period of daylight and longest night of the year. Long and relatively dark days are the norm for now and, along with the cold climes, these winter months can limit activity. Days like this, it’s hard to be motivated, let alone creative; warmth and sunshine nurture a freer and more open mindset, which can lead to innovation. In spite of these seasonal anomalies, teachers, coaches and managers must inspire and motivate others to stay sharp and alert, to be on the lookout for opportunities, and to think and act creatively. I’m up early editing these messages each day, and the light in the windows, or lack thereof, definitely affects my mood and productivity. Like many, I am alone at my work – not unlike service employees whose supervisors cannot get in the middle of a guest interaction: those are the times when self-motivation is most important. Prepare yourself and others for those ‘moments of truth’ with training and coaching. Let these dark winter mornings sweeten your appreciation of the sunshine today.
John Steinbeck Jr. (1902 – 1968): American author and Nobel Prize winner
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