Do Hard Things!

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I have wanted to write on this blog topic for awhile. I have had many a friend or colleague recently that are going thrugh “hard” things, so now seems like the right time.

Incredibly challenging work situations
Moral issues – their own or family member’s
Children with health issues
Children with drug problems
Seemingly insurmountable financial challenges
Loss of jobs
A strained relationship

I’m sure you have your own. We all have seasons of pain and sometimes it’s a life-long undercurrent of something needing dealt with. You get the idea.

There was a book published several years ago by twin brothers, age 18 at the time, that has the same title as this blog. That book was written for teens as an encouragement to do the hard work and not get caught up in our me-first culture. The message, however, is ageless in its attempt to harness our power and potential. In order to achieve that, no matter what stage of life you are in, it requires us to “Do hard things.”

We must be accountable to excellence. We can’t stand on the sidelines and “hope” –  We often use the idea that “hope is not a strategy” in the work place and I love it. We have to….

• Have HARD conversations
• Be uncomfortable
• Find our voice… use it
• Encourage each other, even those we don’t like
• Reach out even when it’s cold outside and we want to go home and hide
• Develop strategies for POSITIVE THINKING, even WHEN it’s not our natural course
• Stop the negative commentary… You are not too old, too overweight…etc.  Change the narrative you tell yourself about yourself.

As our year winds down, I have great news… There is time left! Time to heal some wounds, address some of that stuff that is downright ugly and start the year with a truly fresh start.

What do you have in your life that needs dealt with? Who do you need to mend “fences” with, and launch into a better place? What needs to happen to set you up for success? Who will speak truth to you if you need a good honest answer to confront your own misigivings?

Let’s get uncomfortable together. I’d love to hear your stories along the way.