Had a bad week? Good.
No payrise? Good.
Good!
Hopefully you still opened this email despite my slightly unfriendly title (#clickbait).
This week a friend shared this video with me. I've heard Jocko on podcasts and read some of his advice but hadn't seen this.
At a time of year when performance and pay reviews and promotions are happening, this is perfect.
It's easy to let egos and entitlement get the better of us. We blame, sulk and generally aren't our best selves when we don't get what we think we deserve.
We're only human after all.
However, if you're going to really succeed, you have to be able to see 'struggle' as part of your success.
Growing up I was a pretty bad sport and horribly competitive. I'd often come home really cross from a tennis match for my Dad to (try and) tell me it was only a game / I can't always win etc. (Advice that mysteriously went out of the window when his football team lost).
Those who have known me the longest, still know me for this trait. And yes, sometimes it still rears up (like last weekend when I got home from a spin class irritated that I'd was bottom of the class stats for power output).
However, recently when something didn't go as well as I'd hoped, my first reaction was 'this is going to make a great story to tell others'.
Which surprised me. Because it was something much more important than a spin class.
This is definitely a mindset that takes practice. Yes you'll still be disappointed by things, maybe even frustrated or upset.
But it's what you do next that defines you.
So my advice? Think of future-you. Think of what they'll say about the set-back or misfortune.
Think of the others you'll be able to give better advice to having been through this extra struggle.
Imagine the different things that you can do now with extra time / more clarity / a new obstacle or challenge to overcome.
And use the time to get better.
"Maybe the truth was, it shouldn't be so easy to be amazing."
Sarah Dessen
*** MELBOURNE ***
Tonight the Future Leaders Collective meet again to talk about Developing Kickass Mental Toughness to Crush Your Career with special guest speaker Dominic Soh.
If you want to learn:
1. Why you need to get your mental game right.
2. When mental resilience is needed - during times of change, challenges and crises.
3. How military commandos and Olympians thrive under pressure, stay focused and achieve their objectives in a combat and competitive environment.
4. How to develop mental toughness to overcome adversity, stick to your goals and push yourself to the next level of success - DRIVE (Decide, Relationships, Identity, Visualise, Execute).
Then it's not too late - grab your ticket and join us.
Catch up: This week on LinkedIn
Want to see your management or leadership challenge addressed with helpful advice and resources? Email me at steph@stephclarke.com and let me know what topics you'd like me to include in future newsletters.
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