A Valuable Lesson
- S. A. Gibbs
- Nov 21, 2016
- 2 min read
I learned something this week that shouldn’t have been earth shattering. Then again, maybe I didn’t learn anything new. Maybe it was just a reminder of a lesson that I shouldn’t have forgotten. You see, I have been working on a project for over two years. To say the headwinds have been paralyzing at times would be an understatement. The typical cast of obstructionists was predictably present, but what made this project even more difficult was the fact that the most serious threat to success came from what should have been a team member. After 30-plus years as an economic developer, ulterior motives really shouldn’t surprise me, especially when I work in a political environment. Nevertheless, this week we achieved a major project milestone that for all practical purposes assures that we will ultimately be successful.
Throughout the project journey, my convictions and self-belief were constantly challenged. Yes, there were times when I just wanted to walk away, at times out of exhaustion and at times out of spite. But for reasons that can be ascribed to personal pride and professional responsibility, I refused to relent. Faced with the possibility of failure, I double-downed on my focus, accelerated the depth and quality of my communication and analysis, and took on the responsibility as the project’s leader and emissary. On Friday of this week, it all paid off. The non-believers were converted and the team’s Trojan Horse sat quietly absorbing remnants of the team’s success. For me, I quickly retired to a quiet bar for well-earned glasses of vino. New challenges await us around the next bend but for today, I will enjoy our victory.
We are all working on the most important project, to build lives full of inspiration, excitement, passion and joy. I share this story with you because I realize all of you are facing your own obstructionists, even those who are supposedly on your team. Don’t give up hope. Don’t surrender to the naysayers in your life, especially that little voice in your head that constantly tries to raise doubt in your self-belief and self-love. Double down, step up your game and keep plowing ahead. You will get there and when you do, enjoy the summit, but not for too long. New challenges lie ahead, but isn’t that what drives us? Isn’t that how we grow? So, get out there and kick some butt!
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