Senior Cut Day

by Guest Blogger, Lena West, Chief Social Media Strategist at xynoMedia

I was a really industrious student all throughout high school. I was the one who did extra credit assignments and looked up words I didn't understand...just for fun.  These habits served me well in school and continue to serve me well in life.

Imagine my surprise when, during the last few weeks of high school before graduation, I learned of Senior Cut Day. Basically, it was a day that all the seniors decided to cut school and do something fun. It was a tradition that had gone on for years and even the teachers and school administration knew about it.  If a student opted-in for Senior Cut Day, it didn't even affect their attendance record.

I couldn't think of anything more immature and not to mention a total waste of time. After all, I was a good student. I enjoyed school. Why would I not want to go? Because I was simply expected to do everything that everyone else was doing. (For the record, I actually attended school on Senior Cut Day.)

Well, the more things change, the more they stay the same because businesspeople have our own versions of Senior Cut Day.

There are actually two per year and they're called:

1. August and
2. the last week of December through the first week of January.

I don't know what happens, but people bail. They check out. You can't schedule a meeting. You don't get return phone calls. Emails go unanswered. Voice mail goes stale. And, contracts grow moldy while thirstily waiting for ink.

I think it's all part of the dumbification of the business world. Everyone does what everyone else does because everyone else is doing it. And, if you know me, you know I ran out of "average" in pre-school.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for vacations. In fact, I usually take three to four vacations per year -- two small and two large. I'm someone who needs her time away. (Miami here I come!) But, must we all check out at the same time?

I guess I'm wondering what would happen if people who say they want successful businesses would really show up. What if they would stop taking the slow times for granted and instead used those times to up the ante and play a bigger game? Finish the business plan. Proofread the book. Write out your policies and procedures. Take the CEO fitness boot camp class. Follow-up with those new contacts from the conference.  Something. Anything. Besides checking out.

My guess of what would happen? We'd have a lot less resolutions come the second week of January.

Comments

[Lena West]

Hi Geri:

Thanks so much for your kind words about hearing me speak! Excellent.

I understand the point of your comment, however, of course, I don't agree.

Please see today's blog post for more detailed info if you're interested. If not, make it a great day!

Thanks for reading and commenting!

[Geri]

I have heard Lena speak in person and am filled with respect and admiration for her. But in this case I must say, Slow Down. We don't even have Sundays anymore. Everything is 24/7 and 9-5 has become 8-6 for many companies. People need a time to not be running at super speed. The fact that everyone does it at the same time actually makes it work out. You don't plan big contracts to be signed at those times. And if people can't slow down the last week in December we are all doomed to hypertension. If you take 3 or 4 vacations a year you are fortunate - most of us can't.