The toughest part about the Builder’s journey is not looking in the mirror and being clear about your current state. The toughest part is NOT in clarifying your big dream, your OPUS, so it inspires you to leave your comfort zone. The toughest part is not in taking those first baby steps of productive action to move you from your current state onto the path toward living your CORE purposes in the direction of your OPUS. The toughest part is not in getting started.
The toughest part is keeping yourself going. The toughest part is embracing the struggle and the real acute pain. The toughest part is facing your fears on the rocky ledge, where the air is thin, your gasping for breath, your hands are shaking from the bitter cold, your feet are swollen, you can’t feel anything but somehow you still feel pain. AND, you keep going anyway.
This past week, I’ve been with some clients in real pain. They’ve not lost their way, their big dreams not changed, they’re just not sure it is worth the pain and suffering. This is a “kairos” moment. These moments matter more than most. They just do.
How you and I respond to the really tough tests is a very complex matrix and yet, oh so simple at the same time. Sure the more we have faced these tests and made it through, the more likely we are to survive this current ledge. However, past success does NOT guarantee anything. There are those that “muscle” their way through many of the easier tests but lack the disciplined courage to survive the toughest ones near the summit.
Want to survive your tough tests with your big dreams and your productive actions still in alignment? Want to survive betrayal? Want to survive bankruptcy? Want to survive betrayal in the boardroom or the bedroom? Want to survive the loss of your job? Want to survive any loss at any time? Want to build disciplined courage that lasts…
Build your strong CORE.
Build it now. Do not attempt to build this while balancing on the ledge of life and death. Build your strong CORE and invest an inordinate amount of time in building your deepest held beliefs, your worldview. You see, when you’re in your kairos moment of truth, there won’t be time to build. There will only be enough time to act.
“Who stands fast? Only the man whose final standard is not his reason, his principles, his conscience, his freedom, or his virtue, but who is ready to sacrifice all this when he is called to obedient and responsible action in faith and in exclusive allegiance to God – the responsible man, who tries to make his whole life an answer to the question and call of God.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
My deepest held belief, that gives me the most energy during my time of need is best summed up in a brief statement…
Help me GOD.
What carries you through your pain and suffering when your own strength says it’s time to stop and retreat to the comfort of your past?
Who can you trust?
Who is your helper in your time of need?
Have you authored your deepest held beliefs?
Are they a source of strength when your kairos moments come calling?
Tell me more Neo, Tell me more…
BUILT TO LEAD 