Groundhog Day Is Coming

Ground Hog Day is coming!

Yes, in a little over one week, that silly holiday will come and all eyes will be on Punxsutawney Phil – the prognosticator of all prognosticators.

Being from western and central PA, I have always been fascinated with the pageantry surrounding this day and specifically this rodent.

And, of course, one of my favorite movies will be shown during the coming week.  I was sure, when it debuted, that this Bill Murray movie would receive an Oscar.  But, then again, it shows my taste in films.

Although I have never been to Punxsutawney for Groundhog Day, I am told the whole town takes on a party atmosphere.

Obviously this holiday is more than a day for weathermen and women to get excited about.  And, it is certainly more than a day for a bunch of redneck acting people to climb Gobbler’s Knob in the wee hours of the morning.

Let’s take a look at how Groundhog Day applies to us as we live in 2012.

The centerpiece of the holiday is Phil – the groundhog.  Phil, by nature of his species has absolutely no clue what is going on.  He has no true sense of what the outcome will be of his seeing or not seeing his shadow.  There is even much question as to whether or not Phil has the capacity to see of not see a shadow.  Does he even care?

Yet, year after year, Phil gets all the credit.  He is mentioned on newscasts across the country.  Yet, he did nothing.

How many of us know someone who is a Phil in the office or at the job? 

Weather forecasters spend years in college studying the science of meteorology only to be overshadowed (no pun intended) by a varmint that most folks would rather hit with their car.

Then, there is the Inner Circle of people who surround Phil on the 2nd of February. 

They are easily spotted by their tuxedos and top hats.  Supposedly these guys are in Phil’s corner and he only communicates with them on weather related issues.

Right now, some of you are thinking to yourselves – “I know a couple of people like that who cheer on the guy who does nothing, yet takes all the credit.”

And, we cannot forget Phil’s handler.  Yes, he is the guy closest to Phil.

More office dynamics are dancing in your head, aren’t they?

What about the crowds who gather in snowy conditions, braving bitter temperatures?   

They dance around and sing trying to endure the cold of a Pennsylvania February morning.

Again, you may be thinking – “I know people at work like that, just looking for any old excuse to party.”

The town is filled with mobile television trucks carrying news media all waiting for that one minute to proclaim we will have 6 more weeks of winter or an early summer.
Ol Phil sure is getting more than his 15 minutes of fame .

But there is another group of people in this event.  These people look forward to hearing the results of Phil’s morning as he is pulled out of his hole / home.  They are really not interested in Phil – they simply wish to allow Phil’s findings to set the tone of their day.  They allow Phil’s prediction (right or wrong) to set their mood.

So what?

So, what does this have to do with personal growth?

Well, let me ask – are you allowing others to set the tone of your mood?

Are you allowing other people to determine your future?

Are you willing to throw your attitude into the hands of anyone or anything that bears good or bad news?

Or – how about this one – are you just afraid of your shadow and refuse to come out of your own hole?

As this silly holiday approaches, ask yourself …..
• Are you a Phil?  Do you take the credit when you truly did not contribute to the project?
• Are you an Inner Circle person?  Do you align yourself with the people who get the credit?
• Are you a handler?  Handlers don’t do much, but they are in the spotlight when the credit is being awarded.
• Are you a news person?  They anxiously await the next breaking piece of gossip to share with everyone who will listen.
• Are you a party crowd person?  You truly don’t care about the job or the work that needs done.  “Let’s get through it, doing the bare minimum, so we can go out and celebrate.” Is your philosophy?

If you see yourself as any of these characters, know that change is always an option. 

You don’t have to live Groundhog Day over and over again.

Ron