Is your life a Tootsie Pop?

Spirit magazine staff members took it upon themselves to answer the age old question “how many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?” But in searching for the answer to that question, their experiment revealed  some common themes surrounding struggles of professionals. Tackling this little experiment, the Spirit staff was likely aware there would not be exact results in determining the answer to the Tootsie Pop question. It was more so a “good fun” project. 

 In comparison, these findings are a mirror to a common problem experienced by professionals. How often does an executive find themselves watching others reach goals more quickly? Uncertainty is something most people don’t wear well; they want to know they can expect a positive reward. At some point in life, almost everyone has wished they could walk in someone else’s shoes. It can be hard at all stages of a career to see a coworker get the promotion. From struggling to grasp leadership skills as quickly as the rest of the team, to wishing for recognition others receive, envy or worst jealousy, can be a huge obstacle to success.  The sooner one understands their own personality, values and goals, the sooner one can depart from trying to reach the center of the Tootsie Pop quickly and just enjoy the pop’s taste to the fullest. 

Speaking of the Tootsie Pop taste, who thought of the Tootsie Pop question in the first place? Who cares how many licks it takes to get to the Tootsie Pop center? During their effort to participate in the experiment, the Spirit staff probably didn’t enjoy the Tootsie Pop nearly as much as one should enjoy a Tootsie Pop. Why the lack of enjoyment? They were focused on an end result and not the journey. Similarly, it becomes far too easy as a professional to obsess over the next step or end result. While goal setting is a vital part of life, it can become a problem when one forgets the journey. 

So hold on to goals, but enjoy the process. You will get to the center of the Tootsie Pop in your unique amount of time and you will enjoy the taste along the way.