By Sunny Simon
Did you ever have one of those days that started out so well you thought the gods were smiling down at you and paving the way to a blissful state of Nirvana and then poof…a left turn to nightmare city? Well I did, not too long ago.
It began out with a great new client session, followed by an energizing gym routine alongside my personal trainer and then a relaxing lunch with a long-time friend. Upon leaving the restaurant happy and content a smile stretching from one end of my face to the other, I received my first hint I was on a downhill slide. Not only was a truck blocking my exit from the parking lot but a nearby sprinkler system playfully regurgitated nasty brackish water on the entire front section of my spanking clean car. A minor setback I told myself as I embarked on a 20 minute search in triple-digit heat looking for the truck driver. By the time he removed his vehicle from my path I knew I’d be painfully late getting back to my office for my next client, a cardinal sin in my book. As those who know me well can attest, I am never late.
The day from hell proceeded with no let up continually throwing me a curve at every intersection. By nightfall, I was sufficiently exhausted but mostly relieved I survived the onslaught of roadblocks. Thinking through the events of those nine hours I coaxed a grin onto my worn-torn face by thinking of my old mentor Rita. In my youth, this wise lady retorted to any complaints on my part by reminding me I wasn’t promised a rose garden. I think it was her mantra long before country singer Lynn Anderson released the hit song. Rita taught me to live my life with full knowledge I would experience challenges, rough patches and sometimes a severe setback or three. Her view of the world was far from negative, but always pragmatic.
My takeaway from Rita’s wise counsel enabled me to deal with both minor annoyances and major impediments. I find comfort in knowing there will always be hurdles to jump and walls to scale but acknowledge that I have what I need to see it through.
Next time you hit a bump in the road, don’t let it detour you from your mission. Know that you were not promised a rose garden but were given the power to navigate your way through thorns, underbrush and gnarled bushes if need be. Sunny Simon is the owner of Raise the Bar High Life and Career Coaching. More about Sunny at www.raisethebarhigh.com
