In his last book, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” Dr Seuss (Theodor Geisel,) called the most useless place The Waiting Place. It’s where ‘You’ finds himself after venturing out on his own and flying high, before coming back down to earth and ending up confused. He hurtles off at a ‘breaknecking-pace’ towards The Waiting Place.
In contrast to the highs and lows of life’s achievements and disappointments, waiting is that ‘place’ where nothing happens. It’s for people just waiting.
“Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go…
or waiting around for a Yes or No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.”
Griessel knew a thing or two about life and business. Waiting for the contract to be signed, for the email to land or for the budget to be approved. It does feel like the most useless place and staying there too long can drive you crazy.
Because “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” is about starting out and finding your way in the world, it’s a favourite gift for graduates, with over 10 million copies sold. But, it’s not only when we’re starting out that we need a good dose of Dr Seuss’ optimism. Dr Seuss’ strain of optimism is not the Rah! Rah! Every-day-is-up kind. By journeying through the lows, as well as the highs, his optimism is credible. And the lows are oh, so relatable.
As a story written by a man who was dying of cancer and knew this would be his last book, Geisel wanted people to know that things are sometimes going to be tough. But that’s OK, just keep going. At this time of the year, it’s OK to feel a bit tired, just keep going.
“But on you will go though the weather be foul.
On you will go though your enemies prowl.
On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl.”
After a successful career in advertising, Geisel’s first book, “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” was famously rejected multiple times. Other print and film projects failed and he dealt with personal tragedies. In the short story, he also acknowledges that many of our biggest battles are internal:
“I’m afraid that some times you’ll play lonely games too
Games you can’t win ‘cause you’ll play against you.”
Get the balance right
I’ll leave the last lines of the story for you to find and read. Dr Seuss has a wonderful lightness in his delivery and in his choice of words (even the made-up ones), along with his imaginative illustrations, that make his stories a delight to read. He said that he didn’t write for children but for people. And that’s evident in the depth of meaning in “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!”.
“Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life’s
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.”
Today is your day to stay optimistic, curious and, of course, dextrous and deft. If you want to discuss your company’s communication needs, don’t linger in The Waiting Place, give me a call.
