Brent got this in an email from his uncle David this morning. I thought it was pretty good.
QBQ! (The Question Behind the Question) QuickNote
QBQ! QuickNotes™ may be forwarded by email to others or printed in their entirety with full credit given for personal and group use. © QBQ, Inc. 2008. All rights reserved.
What If Your Guy Loses?
Well, every four years in America we vote for the POTUS (President of the United States), and every four years on the day after there is weeping and gnashing of teeth by the losing side. And the truth is, the losing side is just about as large as the winning side. Amazingly, there could be 60 million people who vote for the ticket that does not win on November 4th, 2008. That's a ton of people who'll have a choice to make.
The choice to whine, complain, bemoan, and blame—or simply bring personal accountability to their daily walk by asking The Question Behind the Question (QBQ), "What can I do today to move on?" "How can I be my best on the job?" and "What can I do to serve people?" These questions enable those whose candidate remains a U.S. Senator, to avoid the humanness of finger-pointing, victim thinking, and discouragement.
And for the slightly larger winning side, where does personal accountability come into play? Will this group think that now all is right with the world? It's so easy to give a U.S. President too much power—in our minds—over our lives. It always makes me laugh when, with our massive, ever-changing, and complex economy, we think it's all about the man in the Oval Office. The truth is, economies go up and they go down—and then they go up again. By their very nature they are cyclical. When they're strong, the President gets too much applause, and when they slump he's buried in way too much blame. And so, in that vein, for the winning voters on Wednesday morning November 5, how dangerous these thoughts would be: "Yes! My guy won! Now I'll have a better job and more income and good finances and perfect health and a happier life and ... !"
Really? Does the POTUS have that much power, influence, and control? Would we, in a democracy, want him to? Can he give and take away joy? Will he help me get my personal finances in order? Will his tenure improve my relationships or keep me in shape? Do I really need my guy to be in the Oval Office for me to excel at my work, love and provide for my family, and contribute to the lives of others?
My wife, Karen, gave me a t-shirt that reads: It's All About Me! I don't think it was a positive statement the day she handed it to me, but in reality, aren't my successes and set backs all about me? Isn't it about me taking ownership for my personal growth; me contributing; me setting and reaching goals?
Me loving life? Me loving my country?
Yes, regardless of who's in the Oval Office and what political party is in charge of Congress, it's really all about personal responsibility—individuals making good choices each day, and being accountable for those choices.
And for all of you who vote for the guy who doesn't make it, I say TAKE HEART! There'll be another election in 2012 and another round of advertising and debates. And that campaign will begin in January ... 2009.
Meanwhile, I recommend using what we call the Ultimate QBQ! - "What can I do right now to let go of what I can't control?" Remember, no matter who is elected as the next POTUS, for each American there is no debate: The answers are still in the questions, and personal accountability is still the secret to our success.
John G. Miller
Author of QBQ! and Flipping the Switch
Edited by Kristin Lindeen
QBQ! speaker/workshop facilitator
3 comments:
So true. And how funny that Brent has an uncle David and aunt Karen too... woah. But I agree, I really do think it is about us. A president will make changes that affect us for certain but not in way I think a lot of people are expecting. I read an article about how when Pres. Reagan was trying to push for his tax cuts, he kept getting opposition from the Democrats. So the president appealed to the citizens of the US and told them to write their congressmen and senators. The response was so overwhelming that the tax cuts passed and the Dems were even making tax cut proposals themselves! :) That's what we need more of, people who are involved with their government... not a bunch of whiners.
I hate to respond right after Abbie but I really liked the article. Was it written by Brent's uncle Dave or someone else. I guess i could go back and read for myself. Anyway, it was great food for thought. At times, in past elections, I've thought "I don't think I could stand to look at him for four years" I feel all will be well no matter what. There will always be controversary.
This was written by whoever does the "QBQ" (that is why there is so much other stuff.I had to add it so I didn't get in trouble for posting it). His uncle David just forwarded it to him. So, Abbie, Brent just has an uncle David and no Aunt Karen.
I liked the article too. I think during elections we tend to think that the president has way more control that we would ever like them to have.
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