The Universe rewards action.
Expectant, like a baby waiting to be born, the air was alive with tension: The play was minutes from opening curtain. The theatre was filled with proud, puffed chested parents, waiting to see their children reborn into another persona; they had witnessed, even encouraged the gradual transformation as their children went to weekly practice, learning to become someone else. And now it was time for that person to be born, publicly: the whole town looking on like nervous surrogate parents.
Hushed, nervous voices, biting fingernails, lowered lights, theatrical smoke creeping under the curtain… reaching out into the audience; this was the first show. The kids had been practicing since November, and now it was time for them to “sing and dance”, and become what they had practiced.
Finally, nonchalantly the orchestra walked in and took their places and started to play. The curtain creaked, the lights flared, revealing the cast of “Footloose”, posed ready for their cue to start… and one, two, three, and… there they were! Brilliant eyes, radiant smiles dressed in their 1980’s best, with bright outfits and big hair, vicariously acting out their parents’ (who were alive in the 80’s) fantasies.
Ten seconds into the opening song, my daughter Lauren had the first solo. Just as she was strutting through the theatrical smoke to her place, all teeth and glitter, the theatre was invaded by the piercing, demanding “whaaaaaa” of a smoke detector. As though she didn’t even hear it, she stood her ground and just started singing. The band continued to play, the other kids danced, and the audience, not following smoke alarm protocol, remained in their seats and strained to hear her over the piercing, wailing, insistent cry of the alarm. Lauren, in the true spirit of theatre, where “the show must go on”, just kept singing. After a moment or two, the director came to the front and stopped everything so that the problem could be cleared up, and five minutes later, the smoke alarm silenced, the play was reborn… again.
Isn’t it interesting how, in real life, when our “challenge smoke detector” goes off, many peoples’ first instinct is to run and hide. They seem to lack the courage to stand up and just keep singing.
I could tell you of a few instances where, when the heat was on, I chose to run, instead of fighting back. I don’t like, and am not comfortable with disagreements, and I avoid them as much as possible. At times, it would seem that I run and bury my head in the sand and wait for them to pass. It often does, but at what expense? What relationships have I bruised by running or which opportunities did I blindly run from by hiding? “I’m just picking my battles.” I say in defense of my non-action, but, sometimes it goes deeper than that.
What happens, in the business world, when someone else has picked your battle for you, and you must face it? What then? Do you run and hide by making up stories and excuses or blaming someone else, or do you stand your ground and fight? I say fight tooth and nail! Stand your ground and sing your song. There will be disagreements and distractions and a number of people will sometimes try to bring you down: don’t play their game. Get your facts, weigh them and summon what courage you have to give it all you have. Courage comes from fighting the battle, not in running from it. The more you learn to fight, the more courage you will have to summon.
What are your battles? A client who is demanding things that you cannot give? A financial situation that won’t go away? A boss who steps on everyone to get his own way? What about a relationship that has grown too comfortable or stale that needs you to do things that you have never done before? No matter what our battles are or seem to be, they all require us to take action to succeed in them. No battle was ever won by standing on the sidelines. Theodore Roosevelt said “Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” You cannot win by running. You must dare to at least try, for it is through standing and trying that you discover your true potential.
We all have undiscovered potential: Undiscovered because we haven’t been willing to stand strong in the midst of our discomforts. I didn’t know that I could speak in public until I was placed in a position where I had to do it. I didn’t know that I could write until my passions gave me no choice but to do it. I didn’t know that I could lead, until there was no-one left to lead and I chose to step out and try it. And I’m sure that it is the same for you. How can you know unless you try it?
This week, refuse to join the cautious crowd. Dare to stand up and speak out in the face of your challenges. Allow your dreams of courage and confidence to become exquisite reality. You have been rehearsing your whole life to play this part. Now is the time to listen to the curtain call, now is the time to play the part and sing your song. Now is the time to become you…just keep singing. Go get your standing ovation.
Make this your best week ever.
Paul
For 22 years, Paul Kearley has thrived in the personal development and coaching business. As a Master Coach for the past 10 years, Paul’s passion is in developing and creating increased potential with both clients and other trainers.
A columnist for two newspapers in Eastern Canada, and editor for his own weekly ezine, Paul writes articles that address the everyday challenges we all have and face in life and in business, and offers suggestions for success.
If you’d like to connect with Paul or subscribe to “E-Motion” his weekly ezine, simply goto the web site at http://www.mustfactor.com or by calling 506 433 4722.