pain

Oct 25 2018

When you’ve been hurt deeply – 5 ways to deal with the pain

The good news is – you are not alone. Every person in the world is dealing with significant pain.

The problem for leaders is that we’ve been taught that pain is to be expected. And that we must persist through the pain. You know – Suck it up! No pain, no gain – right?

But some wounds will destroy you. They’ll destroy your family. They’ll destroy your career. And they’ll destroy your legacy.

Let’s face it – hurting leaders hurt people. But you have the opportunity to break this destructive cycle for everyone close to you – your team, your colleagues, your family, your friends. Your past does not have to negatively influence your interactions with them.

Jun 15 2015

Obstacles – 3 Ways to Handle Them at Work

This week while traveling, I had conversations with several people about how tempting it is to compartmentalize areas of life like OBSTACLES. Maybe it helps us feel better about ourselves. Maybe it puts problem areas in a neat little box so we can push them out of sight and out of mind.

Think about this – OBSTACLES are inevitable. They’re a natural part of life and work. Right?

So, if they are to be expected, even unavoidable, why the need to label them?

The fact that we label obstacles makes them scary. Conjures up anxiety.

What if we simply viewed them as a part of life – and a part of our work?

Obstacles occur to help you determine if you really believe in the vision.

Yet most people never get past the obstacle. So they never accomplish their dream. They never live out the vision.

So today, when you face obstacles – and you will – here are 3 ways to handle them…

1. Quit calculating the size of the obstacle and remember the size of your vision. Keep your eye on the vision. Focus on it. Fanatically.
2. Find a solution instead of letting the obstacle become an excuse.
3. Prepare for future obstacles. If they stop you, you will never breakthrough. You’ll never experience the miracle. And your vision is worth it.

Your life matters immensely. And your work matters. So don’t give up. Don’t quit. Not today.

What obstacle are you facing that you need to move past today?

Apr 08 2015

Rejection – Turning it into Direction

Turning Rejection into Direction is a guest post by Jevonnah “Lady J” Ellison, an industry-leading Purpose Strategist and Executive Leadership Coach. She equips lawyers, doctors, engineers, professionals, and leaders with confidence and clarity so that they can live out their authentic purpose and experience incredible success. You can read her blog here and follow her on Twitter.

Everyone fears rejection.

Rejection is a type of communication that says someone else really doesn’t matter to us, or that he or she doesn’t measure up to a standard we’ve created or adopted. Whatever the form of behavior, rejection communicates disrespect, low value, and lack of appreciation.

Few things hurt like rejection.

BONUS: Jevonnah is offering a special opportunity TODAY that will help you clarify your purpose, amplify your strengths, and thrive financially. You can find out more at the end of this post or reserve your bonus now.

When I was 7, my Dad walked out. On Christmas Eve.

Mar 19 2014

Stuck? Sometimes You Just Need to Push the Button

I waited “patiently” for what seemed like an eternity.

I was starving. I watched from the passenger seat as she browsed the menu board.

I fiddled with a couple of apps on my iPad – attempting to get my mind off of my intense hunger.

Finally, I gave in – “Do you know what are you going to order?”

Jan 13 2014

Tough Times – 5 Things to Remember

Tough times are inevitable. Something is going to happen to you that you didn’t want to happen – you didn’t expect to happen. What are you going to do about it?

A couple of weeks ago, I visited the George W. Bush Presidential Library on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. And in my first visit to a presidential library, I was reminded of the difficult moments, days, weeks, and months following the September 11, 2001 attacks on our country.

In one of the exhibits, I watched a short video in which the former president said:

I never wanted to be a wartime president.

And there are going to be things that happen to you that you didn’t want – or expect to happen to you.

Let’s face it – Life is going to deal you a hand that you don’t want to play. And the fundamental question is – how are you going to play it?

That’s just the way life is.

Like you (and our 43rd president), I have been confronted by some incredibly difficult circumstances. Yes – there were times when the pain was the byproduct of my own poor choices. But many times, it was not.

And rather than wasting precious time and enormous amounts of energy regretting my path, asking why or what if – I have chosen to focus on these 5 things when I’m faced with tough times…