When I reference Groundhog Day, I can’t help but think of that hysterical 1993 movie starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. If you have never seen it (although I would question where you’ve been!), Bill Murray’s character experiences the same Groundhog Day over and over again. Each time the day starts again, he adjusts based on what he knows will happen so he can get it “just right”.
And then in 2017, Andy Karl brilliantly led the Broadway musical adaptation straight to a Tony nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Musical.
This movie and Broadway show has me reflecting on two lessons I have learned over the years that look a lot like this Bill Murray/Andy Karl character’s experience:
FIRST: My days of living the Groundhog Day life in my career and business are over.
- I learned early in my corporate career to save everything- every file, every document and every email trail- because invariably the senior leadership team would reposition an old project or initiative as a brand new, enterprise-wide opportunity in which I could be put in charge. Common practice was to pull out those saved files, “re-label” them and start over again. It got so bad in 2002 that I bought my entire team a copy of the movie! (VHS of course)
- Today as an entrepreneur everything is new -every day. No reusing ideas for me. Definitely tapping into to old ideas that have expanded or evolved- but not that horrible “been here already feeling”. It is all fresh and exciting. No more slapping another name or spin on an initiative and calling it new! Phew.
- Even better, on a daily basis I am in a position to inspire career clients (who are mostly in large, bureaucratic organizations) to weather those Groundhog Day moments (pun intended -smile)
SECOND: The Universe will continue to put similar people, situations and opportunities in my path until I learn the lesson I am here to learn.
- It is often equal parts frustrating and hysterical. Like the movie Groundhog Day, I just keep coming back to the scenario over and over again, adjusted a bit each time, until I make the major shift.
- Most recently it has been a trust issue I have been forced to pay attention to— because the trust challenges came to me through a few friendships, a big client and a financial obstacle. 1-2-3-Right in my face. Ugly. A chance for me to stop feeling like Bill Murray and to change it forever.
Where is that happening in YOUR life?
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