Doing The Right Thing In 2017 And Beyond

Yesterday was an American federal holiday observing the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  “Dr. King is widely regarded as America’s preeminent advocate of nonviolence and one of the greatest nonviolent leaders in world history.” He received the Nobel Prize for Peace on December 10, 1964. It is facile to play and/or attend to our duties without taking a moment during this day to take into account what and who it is that we are revering. Together, let us pause as you read this message, let us be aware and applaud the dauntless efforts that others such as Dr. King have made in service to our society for past generations and for generations to come, and let us be inspired.

One of Dr. King’s well known quotes states, “The time is always right to do what is right.”

With the beginning of a New Year, it is an opportune time to ask ourselves if we are consistently doing the right thing for ourselves and for others around us. We can spend a lot of time talking or wishing things were different while losing the opportunity to positively affect change by actively doing the right things in the places and situations where we can individually and/or in collaboration with others. We must not lose sight of the positive impact that we each can make.

Imagine a world (and your life) if we were all conscious of asking ourselves if we are making the right decisions, speaking the right words, doing what is right for ourselves and others before we act, speak, engage in a task or commit– or before we quit and/or part from someone and/or an organization. Imagine if we all intentionally cared to be fully cognizant of the consequences and the ripples of our communication and actions and elected to minimize miscommunication and misunderstandings. Imagine if we understood that we are part of the collective that is well beyond what we can perceive and that we all individually can and do affect the reality that surrounds us.

Imagine the changes that would come from all of us believing that “the right thing” is to just be ourselves and to do our best at being that. Imagine if we stopped rushing and stressing ourselves to be who we think we should be or what others want or expect us to be. Imagine letting go of pretending and beginning instead to truthfully honor who we are.

This shift in our actions, our communication and being present could free us to be our true best, to let go of taking things personally, to free us from feeling judged and/or judging others and to become less defensive. It could free us to more deeply experience being loved, being loving and being less separate in our lives. Imagine the differences in how we would then be accountable for the wellbeing of ourselves, our families, our communities and our organizations.

Dr. King famously “had a dream”– a historic, monumental dream. He never backed down in his belief that we are all equal members of the human family.

As we begin 2017…how may we humbly contribute to our extended world?

If we allow ourselves to dream about realizing our full potential in this lifetime in all sectors of our life and with everyone we have around us, we can galvanize each other in everything that we do and we can relentlessly persevere in co-creating a wonderful world for ourselves, our families, our communities and our organizations.

Indulge and enjoy looking at yourself now, and embrace all you are, then do the right thing for yourself and others with respect and dignity for yourself and for others. Let go of negativity and of the voices that might deter you from allowing you to be your best you in all sectors of your life.

“The time is always right to do what is right.” Let yourself be inspired today, this year and in the future. 

Johanne Bouchard

Johanne Bouchard, a serial entrepreneur and former high-tech marketing executive, is a governance and leadership advisor to boards, CEOs, executives and entrepreneurs, as well as an expert in board composition and dynamics. An accomplished author and blogger, Johanne has published a number of eBooks, and her articles have been published in Ethical Boardroom and NACD's Directorship. She is an advocate for STEM, increased diversity in the boardroom and patients' rights.

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