Looking back on the past eight years I’d be lying if I said that everything has been wonderful. There have been many stressful moments, most of them self-inflicted.
I got involved with a family business for the wrong reasons. Our family relocated…twice. I sat with indifference for several years at my day job just waiting for the right moment to be anointed as a leader. I fought with those around me – my spouse, my children, myself, my brother, my parents. I waited for others to make decisions then blamed them for my own lack of self-determination.
James Clear has identified three stages where people fail in life and work:
The 3 Stages of Failure in Life and Work
I’m not ashamed to say I’ve fell down on all the points listed in the article. The idea that struck me most while reading this article was the example of Emerson.
Like many children, Emerson followed the path of his father to the same school and the same profession before opening his eyes and realizing it wasn’t what he wanted. Adopting someone else’s vision as your own — whether it be from family, friends, celebrities, your boss, or society as a whole — is unlikely to lead to your personal dream. Your identity and your habits need to be aligned.
My work in progress from this article is to determine my non-negotiable. I also stand to improve how I handle criticism (read: I don’t handle criticism well at all).
Which stage do you identify with most? Where are you at on the journey? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
