So were the words coming at me from the doctor I’d finally broken down and gone to see. The pain was winning enough on a daily basis that I knew I had to do something. Quickly.
I’d always envisioned myself as capable of shouldering burdens heavier than the average bear, and I’ve never found that specific threshold-point where stress stood in the way of my success and/or progress. While I’ve learned how to incorporate the heightened requirements of daily life as the amount of work I’ve accepted has evolved and grown, it’s no longer just a 7 – 5 workday and, along with my increasing aspirations, have come a magnified responsibility requiring dedicated time and effort. It’s the only way to carry the load of these added leadership responsibilities in a way in which I can be proud.
And, it’s stressful.
I knew the gamble I was taking. It was one I’ve taken countless times before, with (mostly) successful results.
This time. I lost.
The problem with trying to do too much is when you inevitably stumble, it reminds us of the African proverb which continues to weave itself into the very fabric that is PromoCares
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Two lessons have revealed themselves to me during this process of healing and recovery.
Lesson 1: Me allowing health to become an issue is a problem not just for me personally; it puts at risk the progress PromoCares has made toward our objective of making the world a better place by telling the stories and promoting those businesses doing amazing work in the community. In trying to win, I lost for all of us, not just me. The same holds true to you and your organization. The place just isn’t as good with you not there.
Lesson 2: It doesn’t matter what you’re working toward. If you risk your health, you risk accomplishing the task, which requires healthy participants to obtain. If your body is trying to tell you something, listen. It’s the Law of Diminishing Returns – you might tough it out, but your ability to give is negatively impacted with each passing moment you don’t make things right.
As the nurse opened the door to allow me to welcome back my family post-op, I was greeted with the furrowed brow/scowl that becomes my mother’s face when she hears something unsavory. I didn’t have to ask what created that look, as she greeted me with a kiss on the cheek and a whisper carrying this comment:
“When the Doctor came to talk to us while you were in recovery, he said: I don’t know how he was functioning on a daily basis.”
Her disapproving look told me everything I needed to know about the decisions I’d made and the resulting outcome it had created. When you’ve crossed your mother with respect to her child’s health, it’s definitely time to re-evaluate.
Thanks to all of you who sent along an inspiring note, made a phone call, checked in on my wife, sent along well wishes & prayers on social media or allowed me to reschedule a call to accommodate for what I was dealing with at the moment. I appreciate your collective patience and look forward to that day very soon when I can tell you I’m finally pain-free.
Roger has spent 20+ years making complex concepts more understandable for both buyers and sellers alike, and has devoted the majority of his recent career to writing and executing sales and marketing plans for early and mid-stage businesses. He is a student of organizational behavior and the disciplines successful selling organizations use to achieve the greatest reach, even in instances of scarce resources. He loves the outdoors and seeks memorable experiences whenever possible. Contact Roger at roger@branded-logistics.com or 810-986-5369