“Storms make trees take deeper roots.”
Dolly Parton (born 1946); Singer-songwriter, actress, author, philanthropist
Most of us wake up hoping for a relatively stress-free day. Who knows, we might even dream of scoring a few wins on our side of the balance sheet. But almost universally we seek freedom from unexpected adversity. “Please, don’t let me have to put out any fires today,” is a pretty common prayer.
But freedom from adversity is often a code phrase for stagnation. We are, as human beings, wired to seek equilibrium and adapt to our environment. The process of learning is often merely a process by which we are confronted by confusion and/or curiosity and find a way to resolve those conditions. “I don’t understand…” and “I wonder why…” are two phrases which spark us to discover and digest new information and new experiences.
The simple storm of a new challenge, whether it’s one of our own creation or not, is something we should seek out every day. Like the trees that root deeper each year to endure high winds, we become more centered, more resilient, and able to adopt the long view more effectively when we are challenged.
The next time you find yourself calming down an irate client, correcting a complicated misunderstanding, or solving your own marketing slump, find solace in the idea that the pain is the sign of progress. A shift in perspective can make a big difference in how you feel along the way.
