Intentional Letter: When Life is Hard
An idea (adversity playbook)
The first time I saw a bison was in Yellowstone around 2007.
I was visiting my girlfriend Natalie (now wife!), and we were mesmerized by these large, powerful animals.
It turns out, we can learn a lot from the bison.
When a snowstorm is coming, bison instinctively turn directly into the storm.
They face it head on instead of trying to run away or hide.
The bison understand that charging through the storm minimizes the amount of time they spend exposed to the harsh weather conditions.
Walking into the storm means the storm passes by more quickly.
There is discomfort, but the discomfort doesn't last as long.
This instinct helps them survive harsh winters.
How do you react when the storms of life come?
If you think your tendency is to look away and avoid the pain, you wouldn't be alone.
This is a very human response.
When faced with a threat, our amygdala (the emotional center of our brain) triggers a quick response: fight (face it head-on) or flight (avoid it).
It requires strong self-management, using the pre-frontal cortex of the brain -- the second key skill in emotional intelligence -- to choose to be more like a bison and face the storm head on.
If we do this over and over it can become our default response, but it takes work and repetition to create new pathways in the brain.
What happens when we self-manage and choose to react like the bison?
Resilience. Often the problem or situation we've been avoiding isn't as bad as we thought it would be. Our imagination made the problem bigger than the reality, and the lingering anxiety of avoidance is not good for our long-term health.
Accelerates Growth. Facing the storm in a deliberate way gives us a posture for learning and growing. People want to see this in their leaders. It inspires courage in the team and courage is contagious.
Less Discomfort. Like the bison, the storm often passes by more quickly when we face it head on. There is still discomfort, but it doesn't last as long.
Self-Mastery. Each time we successfully navigate a tough situation, we prove to ourselves we're capable of handling it. This builds confidence and reduces fear when we face the next storm.
Creativity. Difficult situations often require creative solutions. Facing problems directly helps us innovate and see opportunities we would otherwise miss. My friend, Richie Parker, is the perfect example of this. Make sure you watch the video below about his inspiring story.
The next time you face a storm in life, be like the bison.
(Photographer: Tom Murphy)
A question
What is the discomfort you're avoiding that would make your life better if you faced it head on?
A quote and resource
"Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will."
—Jason Van Camp in Deliberate Discomfort
The Mission
I am on a mission to help thousands of leaders gain clarity, courage, community, and consistency in their lives. Thank you for joining me on this journey!
I'm rooting for you,
Cal
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