Finding Love in the Struggle
Finding Love in the Struggle
As high performers, the path to our success is not always paved with gold. At times, we have to bob and weave around unexpected challenges, all the while staying focused, positive, and committed to the results we deeply desire. It can feel like a mindset marathon.
Over decades of performance coaching in a variety of fields, my clients have transcended challenges, some brought on by their own self-sabotage and others presented by life circumstances. What I have learned from their stories is the power of having an overarching philosophy that even when we encounter difficulties along the path to success, we can find ways to love the struggles we face.
For example, let me share with you a story of a remarkable individual, James (not his real name), a young professional athlete, whom I have the privilege to work with as a high-performance mindset coach.
Before our collaboration, James's mindset was plagued by intense moments of anxiety and self-doubt. Many high performers share this challenge, which can hold us back from reaching our true potential. Through our coaching relationship, James gained self-awareness and a willingness to be fully honest with himself, which required reworking his motivations and expectations of his performance, while envisioning all that he desired to achieve. This approach proved to be a transformative step in his journey to personal fulfillment through the high performance journey.
James’ newfound gift of self-awareness and mindfulness, combined with his passion for the game fueled an even more relentless drive than what he already possessed. However, rather than pushing himself to exhaustion to overcome the obstacles that a recently diagnosed, rare medical condition presented, he found what he named, “the love in the struggle.” He now wakes up every day - hours earlier than his colleagues to compensate for his physical challenges - having more patience with himself yet possessing his trademark zeal and energy, knowing that his hard work will eventually pay off.
He still aims for the top of the mountain, yet he does so with self-compassion, staying present to his performance needs in the moment. His success is broader and more fulfilling, touching his performance in his sport AND in his whole life. Reaching more of his true potential and fully expecting great things for his future, James demonstrates that, by embracing the struggle and finding “love” in it, we can turn our challenges into strengths.
So, when you have a heartfelt goal that you want to accomplish but circumstances present unexpected obstacles, you can still find a way to claim peace of mind AND optimal performance. Like James, let your passion fuel your determination, and use the challenges you face as opportunities to grow stronger. By finding love in the struggle, you'll not only be more likely to achieve your goals but also find more self-compassion and resilience in the process. You may even end up inspiring others and having a lasting impact on those around you.
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