E. R. I. C.

Hi dear friends, 

I hope your week wasn't as hectic as mine. I had a really hectic week with assignments and full classes all week. I took my time getting up this morning, my body simply needed the time out. 

So, all this past week I've been learning about Strategy in Challenging Contexts. It was quite interesting. One of my takeaways form the week was a tool simply known as E. R. I. C. Oh dear, did you get the impression Eric was an eligible bachelor? Sorry, lol! 

 I like ERIC because it's applicable in any context really. Typically when we think about strategy we may think it's all about business but consciously or unconsciously we also (or should) apply strategy in our personal life. Add to that the fact that both our professional, student and personal life's are intertwined, it makes even more sense to be strategic about all of life, I think. 

So ERIC is an acronym for Eliminate, Reduce, Increase and Create and its adapted from Kim and Mauborgne, authors of the famous Blue Oceans book. 

E is for Eliminate.
In life as a whole, from time to time, we do need to eliminate certain things or certain individuals from our inner circle. Every so often, we need to examine the things we do and the people we relate with. Is there something that's not adding value to us or anyone around us? Something that takes more time and energy than we can afford and provides no commensurate return on time invested? Those are candidates for elimination.  

Same thing applies to people. Is there someone that's so high maintenance we are simply exhausted at the end of an interaction with that person? If a person isn't adding value to you, and doesn't allow you to add value to them, you may need to reconsider that relationship. Good relationships should be win-win. You win either by learning from the other person or by the satisfaction of having been able to bless the other person.  

Jesus said my yoke is easy and my burden is light. If someone is a heavy burden and they don't appreciate all you do to try to be a blessing to them, re examine that relationship to decide if it should continue or be cut off. Enough said. 

R is for Reduce 

Too much of anything is bad, right? I agree. Moderation in all things is key. What is taking too much time? Good as it may be, enjoyable as it may be, if it takes too much of your time and attention, to the detriment of other things, it may be a candidate for reduction. The definition of "too much" will be up to you. I suspect though, that we know those things. We just need to have that honest conversation with ourselves and face up to the facts. 

I is for Increase 

What's good about life right now? What are you doing well? These are candidates for increase. You should be on the look out for ways to do things better or be more productive/effective at other things. if it's working, get it working better. Think about how you can improve - yourself, your thinking, your attitudes, your work ethics, your relationships. So many things can be improved, we just need to take out time to think about how. 

C is for Create 

What's missing in your life? What have you always longed to do or wished you could be? Is it something that is possible? Create something new in your life. A new habit, a new way of thinking, a new friendship. If it's going to make you better, make you a bigger blessing to your world, think about creating it. Some things may need to be created but you allow yourself to think its impossible. Has it been done before? Will it benefit you? If the answer is yes, then, it's not impossible. Impossible, someone once said, simply means I'm possible. I don't remember who said it but thanks to that person! 

Obviously doing all this will require some effort. Forming new habits don't come easy. It will require you going out of your comfort zone. So, you must define what the benefits of doing any of these are. Write down those benefits, keep them top of mind. That's the motivation you will require to do what seems hardest. Keep at it, don't give up even when it hurts, sunrise is on the horizon. 

Deliberately taking out time to think is important. In order of do any of the above, you have to spend time thinking. These are not things you do spontaneously. They must be deliberate, well thought out actions. Don't take too long though! Analysis Paralysis is a real disease but it's completely preventable, lol. 

Well, these are thoughts that have run through my mind this past week. There are certainly things I need to do in each area. God helping me, I will. I pray you have the conviction and strength of purpose to propel you to do the same. 

Change is happening this week in Nigeria. May God give everyone, leaders and followers alike, the conviction and tenacity to do what needs to be done, rather than what is convenient. 

 Till next week, Blessings on you and yours.