Bruised, Bloodied and Smiling
- S. A. Gibbs
- Mar 21, 2017
- 2 min read
It’s not a mystery as to why we remain focused on achieving our goals, no matter how small or large they may be. Reaching the top of the mountain is the ultimate test, the clear metric and proof of our success. Using the same logic, it’s not a mystery as to why we view obstacles along the journey towards our goals as nuisances, targets of our anger and frustration. Given that no journey is without bumps, walls, detours and dead-ends; the overall state of our minds are frequently less than ideal. Maybe our real problem is our vantage point.
I was recently listening to a video by Gary Vaynerchuk who was arguing the point that the process is what matters most, not the destination. Focusing on the process, the journey if you will, is how we grow, learn and develop the metal and sense of accomplishment that defines us as successful people. By focusing on the distant destination were bound to become disappointed and frustrated, even vacating the journey. Focusing on the process; however, ensures that we are always living in the moment, attacking the problems in the present, living to fight another battle. We become tested soldiers, proven warriors, even if our latest skirmish was not a victory. What we lost was not the war, just one battle. Tomorrow we will remobilize, execute new strategies, and make adjustments to our battle plans. This is the test of a life well lived, the character of a resilient man.
In the micro, a life motivated by ongoing growth and accomplishment is never clean or pretty. It’s a messy process when viewed from an outside observer. But when viewed from the inside, it’s a beautiful thing. To an outside observer who loves to critique, criticize and demean, you are bloodied and bruised. These are signs of an unworthy contestant in life’s game. Bullshit! To an inside observer, these are signs of a worthy contestant, a winner, not a quitter. So as you stand bloodied and bruised, smile knowing that others don’t get it, and that you are already a winner. Keep fighting my friends.
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