Stretch or Stagnate: There’s Pain Either Way
So, I’ve been experiencing the joys of stretching lately. I say this with tongue in cheek. I can’t honestly say that I feel a whole lot of joy in the stretching, at least not inherently; instead there’s a good deal of pain.
And I’m not talking about physical stretching here, the kind that you associate with exercise. Instead, I’m talking about the mental stretching required for me to move to a new level in my business. It’s the entrepreneurial way, I believe. Continual stretching, growing, evolving. And stretching — the sort of stretching that’s actually going to get you to a new level — inherently involves pain, to a certain degree. Not unbearable pain. But enough pain to be uncomfortable. I guess that’s the actual feeling — discomfort.
The alternative to stretching is to stagnate. As in “stay where you are, maintain the status quo.” The challenge is that stagnation is painful as well. It’s painful because you don’t grow, evolve or shift in any way. Instead, you atrophy, slowly but surely. And who wants that? I don’t know; maybe some do. My sense, however, is that leadership requires growth, stretch and evolution. And so, pain — or at least discomfort — goes hand-in-hand with effective leadership.
There are payoffs, I know it. The experience of success, of accomplishment, of vision made manifest. And, you’ve got to stretch, go through the pain and discomfort, before you can experience the gifts.
Bottom-line: as a leader you’re going to hit a point where you’ve either got to stretch or stagnate. There’s pain either way. But only one will get you where you want to go. Stretch with me?
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Gail Barker, Gail Barker. Gail Barker said: New Stellar CC blog post: Stretch or Stagnate: There's Pain Either Way: http://tinyurl.com/4qf7owc [...]
Gail…. I often read your blogs and each and everytime I feel connected to the message your sending…. Keep streching!!!! xo
Thanks for your feedback Kim — really appreciate it. Always gratifying to know that my messages are “landing” and resonating with others. Stretching is good! Create a great day