I admit it — I get annoyed when someone says, “It is what it is.”
Seeking to relieve my annoyance and use my energy more productively, I’m trying out a possible solution. Here it is: When someone says, “It is what it is,” I now ask, “What is the “it” that you are referring to?”
As a leadership coach, I succeed only when my client does. To forward my client’s success, I pay attention to their perception of the circumstances they face, especially the circumstances related to their goals and desires. How do they see the “it”?
Perception determines the actions taken. 
It’s not about what the “it” is, it’s about how we relate to the “it.”
Does our perception tell us to stop and give up, or get creative, regroup, rethink, try something new, and move forward?
Yes, it is what it is. And, we it’s our choice to stop or move forward.
PS: For more on asking better questions, please read my chapter in Turning Ideas Into Impact – Practical Wisdom from 16 Silicon Valley Consultants.
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