Shifting Out of Neutral

Citizens of Switzerland take tremendous pride in being neutral. Call it Swiss swagger. The Swiss are masters of neutrality. For centuries, they have successfully managed to stay out of most of the world’s major conflicts. Peace is a great thing, but a policy of conflict avoidance is not always possible or even wise. And, let’s face it, neutrality is boring.

I have driven a number of automatic and standard transition vehicles since age 16. All have come equipped with a neutral gear. It’s one of those gears that I rarely use. If you place your car in “N,” you can only do four things.

 Options in Neutral:

• You can crank the engine. This may be helpful, but it is only a start.
• You can rev the engine. The vroom of RPMs might be cool to some but it is not at all useful or economical.
• You can roll, provided you are aided by gravity. Depending on your orientation, you can either roll forward or backwards. Either way though, you roll downhill.
• You can get a push or pull by someone with a strong back or something with horsepower.

That’s it. Neutral comes with a set of limited options. Movement while in neutral requires outside assistance – either a force of nature, like gravity, or the direct assistance of others who are willing and able use their energy to help you. Personally, I don’t recommend staying in neutral. It simply doesn’t take you anywhere.

Too many of us get stuck in neutral in our work and personal lives. Neutrality is easy. We encounter no friction and no resistance. We can just sit and do nothing or roll along and try to not to run into anything. I worked with a guy who often found himself juxtaposed with an unreasonable, out-of-touch boss and a pack of highly demanding and ungracious clients. He purposely chose to keep a low profile in this volatile environment. He chose not to risk rocking the boat by addressing the issues associated with what he felt was an untenable position. In fact, he used to tell me all time that he was “Switzerland.”

The Swiss excel in many things, including banking and the manufacturing of fine instruments. They are not known; however, as great fighters or navel explorers. (The country is landlocked.) They prefer to remain “at home” when conflicts arise, sometimes serving as negotiators. I am not trying to stir up some Swiss Diss here, it’s just that Switzerland’s policy of neutrality provides a good analogy for the times when we elect to coast through life instead of driving forward with determination.  

People who chose neutrality as a way of life take up residence in a beautiful and peaceful place, but it is a world created mostly in their own minds. Learning, growth, improvement and decisive action require us to shift gears. Neutral is intended to be only a transition gear. It not supposed to be used for parking or slow rolling.

Think about where you are stuck in neutral and give serious consideration to shifting gears. Here are some areas to consider:

• A decision you need to make that you have analyzed and pondered for far too long. Pop the clutch and hit the gas. If the decision takes you to a bad place, stop and then change directions. Decisions are easy. Forward movement is hard.
• A relationship you need to initiate or one that you need to control with more reasonable boundaries. Shift gently into drive and go easy because the road is windy and slick. Always work to establish and maintain mutual respect and mutual purpose with your key relationships and you’ll have save travels. 
• An unrealized dream you have for yourself, your family, your community or the world. Get on the road before traffic snarls up your plans or darkness makes it more difficult to see.

With due regard to the Swiss, you’ll miss the adventure if you stay stuck in neutral. You have the opportunity for a fresh start. We have entered a new year and a new decade. It’s time to shift into drive and power on down the road toward the destination you determine. Shifting into drive is powered by purpose and fueled by courage. Start with a day trip and see what you’ve been missing. Don’t forget to fasten your belt because the ride is often bumpy and sometimes dangerous. As long as you keep your hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, foot on the gas, and fuel in your tank you will be just fine.