With Halloween just around the corner, I’d like to start a new series about lessons we can learn from spooky things.  We’ll begin by reflecting on what we can learn from ghost stories.

At some point in your life you’ve probably watched a scary movie involving ghosts or you’ve heard a scary story involving ghosts and haunted houses.  No matter the story, the plots share some similarities.  It usually begins when people move into a “normal” looking house, often out in the country.  From there, people begin to notice a few odd things.  Doors open on their own.  Lights flicker.  Things seem to move without anyone touching them.  Soon, things escalate and become scary.  At this point one of the people in the house notices the ghost for the first time and realizes that the place is haunted.  From there, people try to uncover why the place is haunted and it’s usually because something terrible has happened there.  The ghost is in so much pain that they are then tethered to that house.  It is then up to the people to figure out how to get the ghost out of the house.  Usually it involves righting the wrong or helping the ghost get through emotional trauma.  

What do ghosts and haunted houses have to do with work?  Have you ever been haunted by something?  I’m guessing you probably haven’t been haunted by a ghost.  (If you have been, I’d love to hear the story)  You might have been haunted by something else though.  If you’re anything like me, you are haunted by different things from time to time.  I’ve found myself haunted by self-doubt.  I’ve found myself haunted by regret and mistakes.  I’ve found myself haunted by the idea I’m not making a unique difference, because other people could do my job and create the same deliverables.  Have you ever been haunted by any of those things?

All of those things are scarier to me than any monster from a horror movie.  When I’m hit with these things, they take control over me.  These things then tether me to a place filled with anger, sadness, irritation, and other negative emotions.  Similar to ghost stories, I’ve found that when I’m hit with these things I need to find a way to rid my mind of them.  Often it requires me to try to make up for my mistake, gaining a broader perspective on life, or simply realizing that the issue isn’t worth hanging onto. 

The challenge: Are you allowing yourself to be haunted?  How are you getting rid of those “ghosts”?

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry