Many doctors use the term failure to thrive (FTT), to describe a state of decline in elderly patients, which could be brought on by chronic diseases or functional impairments. Manifestations of this condition include weight loss, decreased appetite, poor nutrition, and inactivity. The most prevalent syndromes and predictive adverse outcomes of patients with FTT include: Reduced Physical Function, Depression, and Cognitive Impairment. In most cases, the root causes of patient deterioration are not identifiable, and the symptoms are irreversible. To prevent prolonged suffering, the diagnosis usually prompts discussions of end-of-life care options. Depending on the environment, failure to thrive can affect between 5 to 40% of aging adults, and is commonly listed as the cause of death.
When I first set out to write Welcome to the Big Leagues, I was completely unfamiliar with the term failure to thrive and its impact on the elderly, however. At the time, I was unpleasantly shocked by a somewhat similar data set that I did feel the need to address ... Results of a 2012 Gallup Poll that revealed how 48% of Americans considered themselves as either struggling or suffering. After immersing myself in this data, I recognized how managing wellness was a most essential, and often overlooked, element of our overall career success. That's when I decided to place a major effort in cracking the code on wellness and detailing all of the steps necessary for readers to thrive in both career and life on a sustained basis.
Those who know me often heard me say that knowing what not to do is a good first step towards determining what to do. Assessing a person's failure to thrive presents a prime example of this. If you currently consider yourself as being in the vast pool of the struggling, and are completely unsure of how to break out of it, start with the understanding that you can't keep doing what you're currently doing. Pulling from the three syndromes of FTT mentioned above, let's examine how developing a strategy for each area can help you to thrive at work.
Cognitive Impairment - The best way to combat cognitive impairment is through the development of acute cognitive awareness. We must learn how to acquire and maintain the right mindset, as well as commit to the right way of doing things. Today's workplace can be a very taxing environment that will put every pressure on you. So the first mode of attack is ... do not let it! As cliché as it sounds, keep a positive mental attitude and control your mood. Go out of your way to socialize and engage with colleagues, and stay clear of those who dwell in pessimism, as they will likely drain the life out of you. Make a concerted effort to surround yourself by the winners within your organization. This can occur outside of the office by joining colleagues for volunteer work. The benefits and happiness gained from helping others can be enormous.
It is extremely important to learn the right way of doing things. Finding a good mentor or reading Welcome to the Big Leagues will both help with this. It used to be commonly believed that practice makes perfect. This couldn't be further from the truth. Practice makes permanent; which could be permanently wrong, as is the case with the baseball batter who has a hitch in his swing. Only perfect practice makes perfect. Therefore you must identify everything that you are doing wrong and educate yourself on how to do it right. There is a right and better way to do everything, so never give up on the pursuit of continuous improvement or the desire to reach full potential.
Depression - In the workplace, depression can be both a cause and a consequence of failure to thrive. Loss of concentration, memory and a short attention span are just a few of the signs that have led so many in today's workforce to use anti-depressants. In order to avoid immersing ourselves in this dark subject matter, let's consider the depressed as being in a slump. Many athletes and business professionals have faced the dreaded slump but, more importantly, most were able to work their way out of it. Listed below are a few of the steps they all followed when doing so ...
1. Discover your purpose: If you haven't already identified your purpose ... your things that matter ... your core values, then there is a good chance that you can easily become derailed or try to progress through life aimlessly. Take the time to distance yourself from everything, remove all distractions, and write down a list of your values. After creating this list, start living it. Pursue everything you do with conviction.
2. Set goals: The best way to drive improvement is by setting goals that lead to it. But be careful not to starting off too big too soon. This will likely become overwhelming, result in failure and have an adverse effect. Set yourself up for success by starting small. Every baby step in the right direction compiles into a great step over time. Re-familiarize yourself on the joys of accomplishment. After you have a few victories under your belt, you will naturally look to up your game.
3. Stay motivated and inspired: Do not seek immediate gratification. Sustained success will not happen in an instant. Enjoy the journey. Learn from all setbacks and failures, and commit yourself to reaching greatness. Believe in who you are and consult with those who believe in you. Remember that motivation is an internal engine and an inspired mind is a healthy one that will likely lead to the next epiphany.
Reduced Physical Function - The loss of our ability to successfully perform activities is a huge detriment that would stifle any career. We are only worth the skills that we possess. Therefore the key to thriving will be in our ability to transform reduced physical function into enhanced physical function. The only way to up our game in this arena is through the acquisition of new skills. Every role in corporate America comes with a list of core competencies, so be sure to master yours. I strongly recommend joining business-related networks, attending seminars, reading books and going after certifications or advanced degrees, as all are demonstrated ways of how the most talented strove to keep skill development and career growth trajectory alive.
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