I never used to like the show The Apprentice. Some- how, it felt weird and intrusive watching someone’s work be evaluated in a boardroom full of people, with the culminating event being a firing. I felt as if the show sent us (humanity) back to the Dark Ages, where public hangings, based on no evidence, were the name of the game.
You see, I have this horrible affliction: I genuinely like people, and I care whether they like me back. In my last position as a district manager, my role was to manage multiple sales representatives. My affliction made it especially hard for me to fire anyone. I could tell you I was a loved manager, and I could also say I had a team that would go to the ends of the Earth for me because they saw my loyalty. But did MY manager think I was as effective as I could be? Probably not.
In truth, there were people that I should have let go. For their benefit, for my benefit, and, ultimately, for the benefit of the company I worked for. In life, there are simply some ideas and people you need to let go of to make room for some-one or something else.
This month was a first for me. As the publisher of Natural Awakenings Long Island (NALI), I actually had to make a decision to “fire” an advertiser. Yes, my ad-vertisers are EVERYTHING to me. I want their services to be utilized because I am passionate about wellness on Long Island; I am passionate about small businesses that offer wellness solutions through nutrition, fitness or even business coaching (see page 32). Because of this passion to link NALI advertisers with NALI readers, I work hard to please both groups of people. In this instance, there was no pleas-ing this advertiser, and, looking back, I had probably tried too hard for too long. So, two weeks ago, I let the client know that February would be their last contract month, basically saying, “You’re fired!” As a business owner, I lost money. Yet, as a human being, I gained something more important: peace.
So, what about you? Is there someone or something you should fire so that you can make room for the new? A friend whose friendship has become one sided, even toxic? A doctor who never “hears” you? Perhaps you need to fire your local chain grocery store to make room for an organic delivery service (see article on page 44)? Or, as in my case, you may need to fire a business associate. I needed to recognize that not only would I never be able to please them, but their energy wasn’t good for me or, frankly, the NALI readership.
Sometimes it can even be a bad memory that you must release. As renowned spiritual healer Chandresh Bhardawaj says in the local Wise Words section: “You have had your experience with the person or situation, but now it’s time to let go. Be it an ex lover or a beloved who has passed away, release them all from your memory bank.”
So, make room for new friends, new customers, new experiences, new loves by “firing” some of the less-than-positive elements in your life. The March issue is filled with new ideas for fitness, conscious eating, and local sustainable events. Try it. You don’t need a comb over for it to be effective. Look at the person, place or thing that you are done with and, in your best Donald Trump voice, say, “You’re fired!” Trust me you will be glad you did. 🙂
Malama Pono!
Kelly Martinsen, Publisher
