“She’s been through more hell than you’ll ever know. But that’s what gives her beauty an edge… you can’t touch a woman who can wear pain like the grandest of diamonds around her neck.” – Alfa
Pain … How do you wear it?
Does it elevate or deflate you?
Do you view it as your masterpiece or a train wreck?
Pain comes in many colors, shapes and sizes. We don’t know how much pain we’ll need to endure during our unpredictably spectacular journey through life. We do know, pain will come at inopportune times, more frequently than desired and be accompanied with much unwanted baggage.
The pain that’s “distributed” to you, isn’t likely to be within your control. However; how you choose to wear your pain is clearly your choice. As leaders, we’re culture setters, decision makers, etc. Thus; our choices on how we wear our pain, influences the organization’s culture, our decision making, etc..
Professionally, pain is typically “part of the job”. The percentage of people that love 100% of their job is extremely low, based on various research. In corporate roles, just sit in a conference room with 10+ people and observe how each professional is wearing their pain. There are many ways I’ve observed people wearing their pain: overly humorous, dead seriousness, don’t mess with me right now, it’s everyone else’s fault, etc.
Personally, pain has been a valuable; albeit undesirable key part of my life. In our unique life journeys, there are parts of our journeys where we sail down an uncongested freeway, slip off the exit ramp to a green light and never see red lights. Meanwhile, there are other parts of our journey where the car breaks down, we need to walk over broken glass, in the rain, at night, without cell service … not exactly a joy ride!
Shift the lens of your view of pain and learn to truly appreciate its unmistakable beauty. I’m not a psychologist, but I’m aware of many tactics they recommend to help us “forget” about pain. When I was a weaker person, this served me well to help me cope with pain.
However, “wearing it like the grandest of diamonds”, I believe, is much healthier. Why my change in perspective? It really boils down to three primary reasons.
- Accepting intelligent failures and the pain associated with them, I believe, is required on the journey to becoming a Top-7%’er.
- Pursuing “Amazing” or “Spectacular” is extremely challenging; whereas, “Good” or “Great” are far more easily achieved. I’ve been blessed to experience significant amounts of “Good” and “Great” in my life and have little interest in pursuing anything less than “Amazing” or “Spectacular”. How about you?
- Frequently reminding myself of my pain, helps me understand the genuine, raw person who I’ve become. The graphic images of what was; and more vividly, what could have been, is forever etched in the granite of my mind. These images help me get back up off the floor, piece my filleted heart, soul and thought process back together, while deeply appreciating the failed opportunities I pursued. Lastly, knowing that you refused to “settle” (and the regret that accompanies it), is priceless!
3 Simple Takeaways:
- Love yourself enough to never settle
- Love unconditionally your career and the people in your inner-most circle
- Love holistically; including yourself as an indivisible person, not something that can be compartmentalized
Who changes the world? I believe it’s almost exclusively the Top-7%. They are the only ones with the Talent Portfolios and social consciences needed to actually implement significant positive social impact.
If you believe you’re one of these executives, we’d love to explore possible opportunities.
Get Making A Difference! ~ JR
