Leadership Insights: My grandmother’s advice
My grandmother Leah (aka Nanny) was a wonderful person. I loved her amazing baking skills (apple pie, cookies) and delicious meals (meatballs she would make, count and freeze, roast chicken). She wrote me many special letters and was full of interesting stories and a sense of adventure. But I remember a saying she used to share with me, which I think about a lot today as a working mom.
When you are waiting, there is no waiting.
As a kid I thought this was about working hard and not being lazy. And of course I thought this was boring advice, because being busy with tasks seemed way less interesting than playing games or reading. But today I think about that advice in light of my priorities, energy and rhythm. And it has become something real to me in recent years.
Efficiency. For one thing, I try to pack in my productivity in bursts. If I’m on the subway to or from work, I’ll try to squeeze in an order of groceries or tackle family scheduling. Maybe I will catch up on articles, blogs or podcasts I want to dig into for work. I make that time count. My morning routine is also a place where I don’t wait—I get the kids breakfast, get my coffee going, and then bang out the dishwasher while we chat and chew.
Making it happen. How many times have I felt frustrated waiting for someone else to do something when I could just do it with little fanfare? This is especially true at work. I truly love collaborating with others and the work shines as a result. But if we run into blockers, I don’t want to wait on a solution. I want to find a way to make it work, even if it’s a stop gap or initial step. This has proven to be a great formula for my momentum and success.
Be present. My grandmother lived in a compact apartment in Parkchester in the Bronx, yet her home was often the gathering place for friends and family. She made space and time to be with you and make you feel special. She would prioritize experiences over things, and really wanted to explore your stories or a museum or what you thought of a good book. All those things fit nicely with her advice. Why wait for that trip with your family, or taking that hour to go for a walk? By the time you get to it as a retiree, you may not move around as well.
What are you waiting for or setting aside in your life that means something to you? Life is fleeting. And we don’t have enough time, so make strides to keep moving forward. And if you are lucky enough to have a grandmother in your life, pull up a chair and enjoy her. I would give anything to have my grandmothers around to share some laughs and treats. What advice or special lessons did you get from a grandparent?
