Preparing for Adversity and the Journey Ahead
Adversity, struggles, obstacles…whatever you’d like to call them, they are inevitable in life’s journey and are likely a weekly experience for any entrepreneur. My own journey has been littered with adversity from a lack of self-awareness to being burnt out from working on tasks outside of my sweet spot. Along the way, I’ve learned three key behaviors that now inform my attitude when embarking on a new venture, job or journey: start from a place of peace, find a guide(s) who knows the path and take time to recharge.
Start with peace.
The power of being at peace is the first key to perseverance in the midst of daily obstacles. The amount of energy expended when you aren’t at peace creates an exponentially harder climb to the top of the mountain(s) you’re hoping to surmount.
I found the Peace Index to be a simple, visual tool that helps me wrap my head around whether or not I am at peace.
The Peace Index is comprised of three components – people, place and purpose.
To measure your Peace Index, rate each of the questions below from 1-100.
(1) How are your personal relationships?
1 = I’m not around anyone I want
100 = I am around all of the people I want all the time!
(2) Do you feel at home in the city, neighborhood, and place that you live? Do you want to be somewhere else?
1 = I hate where I live
100 = I can’t imagine being anywhere else.
(3) Are you currently pursuing all that you want or meant to accomplish?
1 = I’m being held back in every way
100 = Every day I’m living the life I was meant to live!
Now add your numbers, take account of your peace order and record your weighted average. We all have a weighted average. Which of the three parts matter most to you? For instance, my number one driver is purpose, then people, lastly place. If my purpose is at 90, I’m likely in the 80+ range for my Peace Index. What is your number? If it is 80 or greater then you likely have a high sense of peace and are ready for the journey ahead. Below 60? I consider this a red light, and a decision must be made to address the lack of peace in the specific component.
Once you are at peace, you’re ready to find a guide to lead you up the mountain. Or as I like to say, “finding your Sherpa.”
Find a Sherpa.
Life and work are like climbing a mountain. And unfortunately, most of life’s mountains feel more like Everest than Stone Mountain. The climb takes really hard work, and you aren’t going to get there on your own. You need someone to guide you on your journey—a Sherpa. Just like Michael Jordan had Phil Jackson and Luke Skywalker had Master Yoda, be intentional to find a seasoned mentor whose experiences will successfully coach you to the summit.
Be it a mentor, executive coach or life coach. Paid or unpaid. The need for trusted advisors is necessary for the journey. If you can’t find one person to fulfill this need, build a personal advisory group to keep you accountable to the 4 C’s of Influence:
- Is your character ready for the journey?
- Do you easily connect and have chemistry with the majority of people you lead or meet?
- Are you competent in the area you are trying to succeed? Have you done all the research?
- What are you doing to build credibility in this area?
Find a Sherpa who can act as a liberator by supporting and challenging you to fulfill the 4 C’s, and you’ll steadily increase your influence for the long journey ahead.
Take time to recharge.
Last week, the brief examined The Power of Rest. Learning how to recharge and refuel along the journey is equivalent to having the food and water necessary for survival. Most of us looking to recharge want a quick and easy cure-all. But what you may not know is that there are two ways to recharge, and discovering your preference is vital to survival in a competitive world.
Are you Battery-Powered or Solar-Powered?
Nearly 50% of our population is wired similarly to a smartphone. When fully charged, they are revolutionary devices for accomplishing tasks in a fast-paced world. However, these individuals do not have unlimited battery power. They slowly drain throughout the day and need time to recharge. In order to continue bringing their best, this recharge often includes much needed time alone.
But this isn’t the case for all people. The remaining 50% operates like a solar panel. When the sun is out and shining, the panels are active and energized. For these individuals, being around people to share ideas, work on projects and enjoy the company of others can be vital to their fuel tank. Learning to stay energized through healthy relationships is an art many people misconstrue.
Introverts are battery powered and need to plug in. Extroverts are solar powered and need to be energized. Here is one question to help identify your predisposition:
If I sent you on a retreat to a beautiful hotel in the Swiss Alps with no TV, Wi-Fi, phone or people, how long would you really enjoy it?
If your answer is “I’ll take my one-way trip to heaven on earth,” then you are likely battery powered. But if you respond with “Thanks, but no thanks—I’m not interested in isolation chambers,” you are definitely solar powered. This self-discovery should inform the way you choose to recharge.
As challenges arise, remember to start from a place of peace, find a Sherpa who’s been there before and learn to stay energized. These practices have managed to keep me from feeling overwhelmed, and I believe will work for you too.
Author’s note: If you’re interested in my journey, I work from Roam 4 to 5 days per week. Send me a message on the Roam Network or stop me at the coffee bar. I’m for you, and we win when we work together.
Helpful resources: