So,
what went wrong?
It is true that there have been external reasons beyond our control – i.e. wars that took place on our land and nearby countries. However, what we could have controlled and still can control is how we deal with the aftermath.
This has to do with the mindset.
Remember how you tried to calm your crying child after telling them that their broken toy cannot be fixed? Or when you calm your coworker after they got no buy-in on their first creative proposal meeting? Did you teach them that there is no point of crying over spilt milk? We somehow forgot to preach to ourselves about this too. We forgot that complaining has never solved a problem, but rather a desire to solve the problem could surely do. Finding the root cause of the lack of buy-in on the creative proposal or taking that broken toy to the pawn shop can help reach a solution. The same applies to us - at micro levels of course.
When we give up trying to understand
what went wrong, we literally anchor that coveted state of mind. When we create awareness on the reasons and the possible solutions, when we understand the pros and cons of staying in the victims’ shoes versus deciding to do something about it and take the required action, we then create a desire for change.
Just like managing a fall in a company’s stock price, or a challenge in digital transformation adoption, or an obstacle in entering a new market, the lack of motivation is also an issue that should be addressed with the correct questions.
What went wrong? How can we fix it? At what Level? Using what tools and resources? What’s in it for you and for me, for our families, and most importantly for our Lebanon?
One might argue that the situation is so drastic & it literally can’t be fixed. Lebanon is not Hiroshima, right? Our status is worse than that of Hiroshima’s back in 1945! Why? Because, unlike us, the "
Hibakushas” collectively decided to clean up the mess and become the
11th largest city on Planet Japan 30 years later. What did it take? A proper mindset.
Again, I’ll be the devil’s advocate here: I often hear phrases like "They won’t let us” or "People do not want to fix things” or "what about the others”? Well, what about YOU? Would you like to adopt a more positive and productive mindset that will start with YOU, and extends to your family & friends, then to your neighbors and community and eventually spreads throughout Lebanon and Lebanese? Just like bad habits, good habits are contagious!
Those who know me always hear me say: It is not an "on/off switch”. Change will not happen immediately or overnight. It is a long journey that starts with the ‘Mindset’ set on the purpose! A purpose that YOU align yourself with, your children, your family, your community, and fellow citizens to. This collective purpose becomes a foundation and will be the anchor for Lebanon’s pivot journey. Think of progress and not perfection, think progress for your grandchildren and theirs after them. Slowly but surely, efficiently, and sustainably.
This is not a (pathetic) positive call for change based on emotions and the love for a better Lebanon. This is really a mind opening call for pursuing a positive mindset, which could in one way or another, contribute to a better tomorrow for all the Lebanese – spread over the world - and our next generations to come.
True independence is independence from negativity, laziness, fear, and the feeling of paralysis. An independence from saying this will never work while looking at others’ achievements.
Such an independence is what Lebanon, and the Lebanese truly need!
In my line of work, this is an awareness to fix a problem, a desire for changing, to be followed by building the knowledge on how to do it, to get to the ability to do it! We will work on reinforcement for sustainable steps towards a better Lebanon.
Will you join me & other active Lebanese who believe in the True Independence? Will you start and build your courage to define and share the purpose of the Lebanon you envision for the next generation? Will you contribute to a transitional Lebanon in 2040? A transition leading to the future state of SUPER Lebanon in 2050 maybe?
If your answer is YES! Welcome on board! Start with the anchor: the proper mindset!
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.