Inspiration for this month’s column comes from our local newspaper in the Twin Cities, the StarTribune, in a column by Ross Levin.[1] Levin discusses the psychological distinction between running towards something versus running from something. He discusses this in the context of planning for retirement; however, as I read it, I realized a very real parallel in how compliance professionals (and probably many other professionals) approach their work.
Ross notes that people planning for retirement too often plan around things they want to get away from— weather, higher tax rates, political climate, etc. Often, these people end up returning to where they were because they missed what they enjoyed so much about living there in the first place. On the other hand, people who move towards something usually end up happier.
I think the same holds true in our work and the level of satisfaction we get from it. When I look back at those points in my career where I got the greatest joy, most involved running towards something. In some cases, what I was running towards was inherently desirable to me—be it the nature of the work, clients, or environment.
Likewise, just like a pothole in the road, there are appropriate times for avoiding something. But many of the most satisfying times in my career have involved running towards a difficult challenge rather than avoiding it. Confronting complex relationships or situations doesn’t always result in immediate success but inevitably leads to growth.
Often, we are in a position where if we simply manage to avoid a person or situation that would be challenging, we could coast along with little or no stress. And there may be good times to take this smooth path. But these can also be lost opportunities for personal and professional growth and a real sense of accomplishment.
To this day, I like to periodically ask myself whether a decision or path I am taking is being done simply to avoid something that—if I were to run towards it—could lead to much greater success (organizationally and individually) and the personal sense of fulfillment that comes with this success.
1 Ross Levin, “To avoid regret in retirement, run toward instead of away from something,” StarTribune, October 28, 2023, https://www.startribune.com/to-avoid-regret-in-retirement-run-toward-instead-of-away-from-something/600315487/..
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