Blog by Tracy Stock, CSP
Many of us find ourselves striving for the unrealistic—perfection. Perfection is the enemy of action. Perfection is a mask we wear when we are afraid of failure. Clarity, on the other hand, comes from engagement or action; it does not come from thought. If we move past the need for perfection and begin to focus on achieving clarity through action—instead of just obsessively thinking about what to do—we will get one stride closer to what we want and need.
I was recently interviewed by a speaker bureau and was asked, “What was one of the most challenging times in your life, and what pulled you through it?” I found that question difficult to answer and then reflected on my words after.
At the height of COVID in March of 2020, my business came to a sudden halt, as it did for most speakers and countless others. I was also, though, in the middle of a heart-wrenching divorce. After fleeing my home in Colorado with my two fur babies, with no income for the unforeseen future, and not many friends since moving from WI just a short time ago—my reaction was one of feeling both paralyzed, incredibly scared and uncertain about my future.
Indecision is the enemy of action. Indecision allows us to feel as if we are victims and unable to make a decision; yet, indecision is a decision. Instead, I made the decision to take control of what I had control of and move forward.
In under 30 days, I decided on a state of interest near a large airport, scoured available houses in newly developed communities, purchased my safe new home, and moved across country to North Carolina—while only knowing one person who lived there. I had to locate and hire an essential moving company to transport my belongs and vehicle, while flying with my dogs and a few necessities with one of my sons by my side. I used my newfound “available” time to close one business and launch a newly rebranded one in a different state, created an innovative website with all new marketing materials, and focused on achieving positive outcomes for others…and myself. I devoured everything I could about the virtual speaking craft and decided to master this new art, while using video footage to create a virtual demo reel in addition to launching a new live speaking reel.
What pulled me through this difficult time was a statement I share with audiences frequently, which is, “We all face tough stuff. It’s never the tough stuff, though, that does you in; rather, it’s your reaction to the tough stuff.” My initial reaction was one of fear and paralysis; then I decided to react by taking action—formulating an organized plan and executing it.
Don’t run from, or be kidnapped by fear. Who you are at age 25 isn’t going to be who you are at age 30; and who you are at age 40 certainly isn’t going to be who you are at 65. Realize that making the decision to push through the fear and decide to move forward is healthy. You are not defined by your hard times. You can decide to persevere and come out stronger, more resilient and successful than ever before.
Learn from mistakes and don’t repeat them. Understand the lessons right in front of you. Seek clarity over perfection—knowing you can choose to course-correct as often as needed along the way. When you do that, perfection will be left in the dust and you will find a new, stronger you—one with scrapes and scars—but someone you are incredibly proud of. Pride with clarity trumps indecision and fear every day.
takestockofyourlife.com 