Stressed

Wednesday, October 2

Everybody is stressed.

Every leader I talk to. Every event I speak at. Every company I consult with. Every athlete I work with. It doesn’t matter the industry or age or position, people are stressed.

Okay, now that we’ve got that established and out of the way the question is this: is stress going to be your excuse?

Because for 99% of people, they use stress as an excuse to not communicate well, not take care of themselves, not be positive, not make progress, not live the standard, not believe better in people, not do the work that is required.

Stress is their out. “I’ve would’ve done it, but I’m just really stressed right now.” So we all just get to throw up our hands, throw our values and standards out the window, and give up? Simply because stress decided to show up?

No. Because stress, in some form, will always be here. It is always with us. And should we take time to back away, rest and recover? Absolutely. But should we also choose to live our values, our standards, do what needs to be done, continue to pursue our best as a leader, teammate and human even when we’re stressed? Absolutely.

Why? Because that is what our standards and our character demand of us. Because this is who we committed to be. There are those around you who handle stress well. Why? Because they choose to. They don’t see it as the enemy, they see it as opportunity. They have a better perspective which means they have a better response, which means they are creating a better reality. And they make the choice in the midst of it to keep showing up.

Be who you say you are. Live your values. No excuses.
​
Keep chopping wood. 🪵🪓

-Kevin