Engaging when it sucks...
Let us all be honest. Life can really suck. It can knock us down. When it does, it often trickles into all areas of our life and presents itself differently for each of us.
Sometimes complacency will kick or un-contentment or any number of human emotions that can impact our lives. What we do and how we handle this does matter.
Let us think about going to the Gym. If you have never, then imagine with me for a moment that you do like to go to the Gym 😅.
Going to the gym, again and again, takes consistency. There are a couple of factors when wanting to accomplish a successful workout.
Factor 1: Showing up - This can prove the most challenging, but when you are there usually you feel a little more motivated.
Factor 2: Well you came to the gym, now it's time to engage. We have two choices: Either you can work out really hard or you can push some weights around and call it a day early. On good days, engaging is easy, on bad days hard.
Both of these factors apply to work. So many humans I have worked with actually choose to not show up. A lot of times that is what management will try to correct.
"Now Look Jesse, we need you coming to work consistently". Or "Come in Ontime 😀"
However, it is actually the Second Factor that matters more. Coming to the Gym sure, check that box ✅ but now actually buckling down and working when maybe you don't feel like it? That is hard!
So let us focus on Factor Number 2. Let's say we are wanting to grow our career (Some may say paycheck 😁) but that takes work. Not just showing up to work. No. It takes real...intentional work.
When and where does growth appear? I want to go back to the gym for a second (The Metaphor, even though I probably should go to the gym today 😬)
I want to hit 12 reps....
Reps 1-8, very doable. Routine. I can pace myself, doable.
On Rep 8 I start to feel a burn 🔥. I keep going.
On Rep 10 I feel like my muscles want to give up. I think "Mind over matter" (Or plug some inspirational quote here).
On Rep 12 I finish, not pretty, but I finish. 💪
What kind of growth would we see if Jesse had stopped at rep 6? Very Little. Rep 8? Maybe a little. Not much. Rep 10? Probably some real growth. Rep 12? Intentional, hard real growth. And Jesse will know the difference.
Show up when you don't feel like it. Engage when it's hard. It may be uncomfortable. It may suck, but true growth can come when you pursue your goals when it is not easy. 🌱
Final thought? Give yourself some grace, life can really suck. When you fail to meet y