--- title: "The State of The Union: I Do What I Want" description: "The State of The Union: I Do What I Want" image: https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/obama-215x300-1.png?t=1532511835251&height=300&name=obama-215x300-1.png --- [![Shift The Work](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Shift_The_Work_July2018/images/new-shift-logo-mobile.png?width=300&height=328&name=new-shift-logo-mobile.png "Shift The Work")](https://www.shiftthework.com/) - [About](https://www.shiftthework.com/about-shift/) - [Blog](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog) - [Latch](https://www.shiftthework.com/latch) - [CONSULTING](https://www.shiftthework.com/shift-consulting) - [SOCIETY](https://www.shiftthework.com/shift-society/) [![Shift The Work](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Shift_The_Work_July2018/images/new-shift-logo-mobile.png?width=300&height=328&name=new-shift-logo-mobile.png "Shift The Work")](https://www.shiftthework.com/) [![Shift The Work](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Shift_The_Work_July2018/images/new-shift-logo.png?width=348&height=348&name=new-shift-logo.png "Shift The Work")](https://www.shiftthework.com/) - [About](https://www.shiftthework.com/about-shift/) - [Blog](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog) - [Latch](https://www.shiftthework.com/latch) - [CONSULTING](https://www.shiftthework.com/shift-consulting) - [SOCIETY](https://www.shiftthework.com/shift-society/) [← Return to Posts](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog) # The State of The Union: I Do What I Want May 5, 2016 *•* [Joe Mechlinski](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/author/joe-mechlinski) [![obama](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/obama-215x300-1.png?t=1532511835251&height=300&name=obama-215x300-1.png)](https://www.shiftthework.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/obama-215x300-1.png)Last night, President Obama updated us all on how the nation is going: according to him, it’s not so bad. His speech was directed primarily at the middle class (watching at home) and basically told us that his New Year’s Resolution for 2014 is “I do what I want.” Basically, he’s doing what any good leader should do—taking action! In his speech last night, Obama said, “America does not stand still—and neither will I.” He outlined his plan (a hefty to-do list) to “speed up growth, strengthen the middle class, and build new ladders of opportunity into the middle class.” While Obama made it clear that if Congress makes life difficult (doesn’t back up his plan or decisions moving forward) he’s going to go it alone, but he also made it clear that true progress depends on cooperation with a divided and headstrong Congress. If this message sounds familiar to you, maybe it’s because [*Grow Regardless*](http://growregardless.com/)presents the very same message: RESET your direction, engage your employees, demand a remarkable client experience, and cultivate a company story that will capture prospects’ attention; despite a tough economy and government gridlock. So, just as Obama has promised to what it takes to make 2014 more successful than 2013, you must also be able to take action on your own and also realize when to involve your team and, most importantly, know how to get your team on the same page in order to truly grow regardless. So, the question is: ***with 11 months to go in 2014, what are you going to do to move past the challenges and obstacles to grow regardless in 2014?*** Last night’s State of the Union address reminds me of something John F. Kennedy once said, “There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction.” You don’t have to love his agenda or views, but you have to at least respect our President for wanting to **GO REGARDLESS**! I challenge you to do the same!   *[Joe Mechlinski](http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=1524338&locale=en_US&trk=tyah&trkInfo=tas%3Ajoe%20me%2Cidx%3A2-2-3)is CEO and Co-Founder of entreQuest, where he's helped hundreds of companies prosper through some of the worst economic times in history. Joe's debut book, Grow Regardless, an instant New York Times bestseller, defines strategic growth, change management, and organizational development.*   ### Share this: - Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) - Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ### *Related* [Ditch the Dated: Why Annual Employee Surveys are Yesterday’s News](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/ditch-the-dated-why-annual-employee-surveys-are-yesterdays-news) February 6, 2024 In "High Performance" [Why We're All-in on Context-driven Surveys](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/context-driven-surveys) November 1, 2023 In "High Performance" [Less Overload = Faster Reintegration](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/latch-unlocks-less-overload-faster-reintergration) September 26, 2023 In "High Performance" TOPICS: [High Performance](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/tag/high-performance), [Business Growth](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/tag/business-growth), [Employee Engagement](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/tag/employee-engagement) #### RECENT POSTS ### [![](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%2010.47.12%20AM.png?width=184&name=Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%2010.47.12%20AM.png) The Shocking Truth About the Hidden Cost of Meetings](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/the-shocking-truth-about-the-hidden-cost-of-meetings) ### [![](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%2010.43.13%20AM.png?width=184&name=Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%2010.43.13%20AM.png) 5 Surprising Truths Employees Miss About Their Leaders](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/5-surprising-truths-employees-miss-about-their-leaders) ### [![](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%2010.36.18%20AM.png?width=184&name=Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%2010.36.18%20AM.png) Big Ideas & Bold Predictions for 2024](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/big-ideas-bold-predictions-for-2024) ### [![](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%208.23.22%20AM.png?width=184&name=Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%208.23.22%20AM.png) Are You Ready for the AI Leap in Leadership?](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/are-you-ready-for-the-ai-leap-in-leadership) ### [![](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%208.21.43%20AM.png?width=184&name=Screenshot%202024-04-17%20at%208.21.43%20AM.png) Are You Ready For Your Next Big Meeting?](https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/are-you-ready-for-your-next-big-meeting) [![Shift The Work](https://www.shiftthework.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Shift_The_Work_July2018/images/new-shift-logo-rev.png?width=348&height=348&name=new-shift-logo-rev.png "Shift The Work")](https://www.shiftthework.com/) - [Contact Us](https://www.shiftthework.com/contact-us) - [Latch](https://www.shiftthework.com/latch) © 2026 SHIFT. 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