Focus on “CAN”
The year was 2013.
For those in the military or federal workspace, we called it "The Year of Sequestration." Political squabbles and budgeting woes put a halt on federal activity for most of the year.
I had just joined the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, and was looking forward to traveling from state to state with the team, managing publicity & marketing for air shows. The news about sequestration hit everyone pretty hard (especially the pilots). We had 130+ people whose primary duties included flying or fixing F-16's while traveling on the road 280+ days per year -- but the entire 2013 air show season was cancelled.
We were faced with a problem -- How do we keep an entire unit of Airmen engaged and focused on the mission, when it can't do the one thing it's known for doing?
The answer: Rather than focusing on what we couldn't do, we focused on what we could.
We couldn't fly anymore, but we could talk to people about flying. So we increased public appearances in the local Vegas area.
We couldn't help recruiters at air shows educate people about the Air Force, but we could go to local schools. So we booked assemblies at Vegas schools that allowed us to connect with students.
We couldn't do our usually charity/community relations work at cities nationwide, like supporting Make-a-Wish visits, or visiting children's wards in local hospitals. But we could volunteer with local Vegas organizations. So we sent Airmen wherever we could. I remember making wooden toys in a woodworking shop, and seeing Thunderbirds Airmen checking ID cards at the Nellis gate. I think we even helped the base housing office do yard inspections.
After the initial disappointment of the cancelled show season wore off, many of us were able to see the silver lining in the dark cloud that was 2013's sequestration. I was able to spend more time with my son. (I even brought him on school visits with me, as pictured here.) And I know many Airmen who made progress on their educational journeys since they had more time to focus at home.
Of course, we would've preferred to be flying that year. But that was out of our control. So, instead, the entire unit put all of its energy into focusing on what it could control. It was still a great year.
This is nothing new; I'm sure you've heard similar advice before. But when we get wrapped up in what we want or expect to happen in our lives, sometimes it's harder to let go of the stress and anxiety, worrying about what to do next.
Don't waste energy on what you can't control.
Focus on "can." You'll feel better in the end.
