The Secret Benefit of Crappy Situations

I was boarding my plane and I couldn’t help it.There was nothing I could do.I got sick right there on the jetway.I took a knee and let everyone pass by me.They escorted me out and denied me for flying.

I feel awful.

My whole body hurts.

But do you know what I thought of immediately afterward?

I was thinking of how grateful I am that this isn’t that bad.I’m sick and I have to pay for an extra room/night—I’m not dying.I’m grateful for how my team executed our latest project.I’m grateful that Southwest treated me with respect and kindness and rescheduled my flight at no extra cost right on the spot.I even was reminded of Veteran’s Day and all the folks who have done the hard work so I can make the impact I want.I know this was a little weird to be thinking about while my stomach was turning in knots—but that’s just the point.

I haven’t always thought this way.

It’s been a habit of remembering that when things suck, it’s actually not that bad.There is a 0% return on investment for complaining.There is an immediate benefit of feeling gratitude.

2 Minute Action

What’s something that sucked recently?How might you zoom out or reframe this to see the big picture?Gratitude can happen by itself, for sure, but you can also make it happen with just a little more effort.The benefits are huge.Just think!You have the power to turn lots of crappy situations into positivity!

Why You Need To Work On Labor Day

Since about 1887, we've been "celebrating" Labor Day.But what does that mean?Of course, we've got a national holiday to thank all the American workers on whose backs our country has been built.Past and present.Great.

But what are we DOING?

If you're reading this, you made a commitment to action!You made a commitment to yourself and those around you!So if we're serious about our output and our contributions, let us ask:What does "celebrating" mean?

2 Minute Action

Thank someone, right now, for their work.It could be your supervisor. It could be an employee. It could be your aunt who is a veteran.It's easy to forget that we are all out here grinding, together.Let's take action and show some gratitude, today.Make a selfie video.Send a text.It only takes 2 minutes of work, and yes you're supposed to have the day off, but it means the world.

Tell Me You Don't Already Know The Answer To This . . .

We almost always know the answer already. The trouble is that we're looking for someone to give us permission.We don't need a new fancy diet. We know what's good for us and what's garbage. Eat less, exercise more.We don't need a fancy new software app. We know what work we're avoiding. Do the scary stuff first, push everything else aside.We don't need a professional life-coach. We know what's right in our hearts. Care more, complain less, solve problems that help people.

But there are consequences.

The trouble is that caring more means we get hurt by careless people.Complaining less means doing the emotional work of reframing frustration as gratitude.Solving problems that help people means we have to deliberately look inside ourselves--which is can be terrifying.

So, it's going to hurt either way.

It's up to you whether you want to feel the hurt of being yourself or the hurt of never being you.It's up to you if you want to endure the temporary pain of vulnerability or the sustained suffering of self-denial.The thing we often know and often forget is that we're going to habituate to whichever pain we choose.To which pain would you rather be immune?

2 Minute ACTION:

• What work are you avoiding right now?
• What conversation are you putting off?
• What habit are you waiting to start?

Reply/Comment and let's get moving.