If you’re going to make moves forward, it is imperative that you own your good.
QUICK QUESTION-
but first, a choose-your-own-adventure game:
Let’s say you’re going about your business, doing your job, giving it all you’ve got to do really good work.
You care about what you’re spending your time on, and you believe that the cause you’re working toward is a worthy one.
Ok, now – let’s imagine that through all of that you have a boss who also cares about the mission – but….. they’re kind of a jerk. They know that you’re doing good things, but they only focus the one thing that could be leveled-up and they just let you have it about it! They never mention all the things you’ve crushed with flying colors – they just tell you where they think you went wrong on one thing.
That’s Option A in this choose-your-own-adventure game we’re playing today.
Then, there’s Option B.
In this case, you have a boss who, yes, cares about the mission, but they’re also in touch with who you are as a person. A real human being, giving everything you’ve got to the cause, showing up and doing good work. They see the little misstep you took that, sure, you could probably have done differently, but when they talk to you, they aren’t hyper-focused on that one thing. Instead, they’re calling a fair game. They’ll be honest and give their thoughts on how you might do things differently next time for a better outcome on that thing, BUT – they’re also putting words to allllllll the good they’ve seen in you. They conduct themselves with a little grace, understanding that you are (just like they are) a human, on a journey of growth and learning.
HERE’S THE QUESTION:
Which option do you want to be a part of your adventure?
Option A:
Jerk-Boss who is killing your drive to keep on working toward the thing that matters
OR
Option B:
Calling-a-fair-game-with-some-grace Boss who is putting words to the good and inspiring you to be better?
You get to choose.
And here’s where I flip it with a shocker:
YOU are the boss.
YOU are the one in charge.
YOU are the one with the opportunity to speak truth and love over yourself, just like
YOU are the one who gets to be a jerk to yourself if you’ll allow that.
You get to choose.
Now, I’d highly advise against being a jerk to yourself and just giving attention to your shortcomings
Why?
Because when you do that, you kill the good things that are trying with everything they have to grow in you, through you, and out into the world around you. The adventure just becomes a Debbie-Downer-drag. That’s not awesome. And we both know you don’t want that.
I know it’s not a common thing and the conversation doesn’t get had much in public – which, actually, is a shame – but the reality is, you have so much power in the words you speak over yourself.
It’s simple math, really.
What do you want to grow? ==> Do what you need to do to cultivate that then.
If you’re constantly only making space in your head for where you think you fell short, but you’re not making room for the truth of when you did good or when things went well because of your own choices, well…. then…. what do you think the outcome is going to be?
Respect yourself enough to at least be fair with yourself.
Are you perfect? – Nope.
Welcome to the club.
But are you pretty freaking amazing and do you do some really good things?
Yes!
And what do you want more of?
My guess is, you want more of the good in you.
Turns out,
good things grow where the ground gets watered.
Water the ground of your heart and mind by acknowledging and taking ownership of your good.
If you’re going to be quick to dog on yourself for the crappy moves or missteps you make, then you need to offer attention to the good you’ve done, too.
Don’t be a jerk to yourself.
Your heart, your goodness, – your life – is a worthy cause to fight for.
Embrace the adventure.
You get to choose which way forward from here.
I’d tell you to start here:
Own your good.
