Since this is the “benchy blog” I’m sure most of you are thinking "K" must stand for one of the following:a) kale b) kermesse c) kasha d) kakorrhaphiophobia e) kismet f) none of the above
If you answered (f), you are correct.
You see, at some point in everyone’s life, there comes a time when we are faced with adversity, challenge, obstacles and hardship. Even for the strongest of the strong, the smartest of the intellects, the emotionally unbreakable, there is always a little “K” lurking somewhere waiting to break us. This is why today I chose to blog about “K” choosing to define it as “Kryptonite”.
One of the more valuable lessons I’ve learned has been taught to me over the past few months. With the turn of the economy last fall, benchmark group has faced some tough challenges and hurdles to sustain ‘business as usual’. Not so long ago new business was taken for granted and was just part of what I came to expect. Well, this year has shown me that you can’t take anything for granted because success means staying on your game and not giving up when the times are tough or when times are superb.
This brings me back to kryptonite…
We all have it; hamartia that leads us down a path that we’re not familiar with. One moment we’re at the top of our game (like Sharapova at the Rogers Cup) and the next we’re holding our heads in our hands and wondering what went wrong and how we didn’t succeed at something that we’ve done successfully a million times: KRYPTONITE.
For some of you, your kryptonite may be spiritual, financial, physical, mental or it may be emotional. Recently I experienced the challenges and obstacles of pulling my small business through a recession; not an easy feat. I had some experience almost 10 years ago when the tech sector crashed and left me scrambling to replace clients that had been laid off or lost their jobs. In hindsight, that was a walk in the park. The past year has seen so many changes for so many industries and the trickle-down effect has been overwhelming with the recession affecting everyone is some way. When times were really outstanding the past 5 years as the economy boomed, everyone experienced a boost and for me that meant a surplus of personal training, yoga, pilates, massage therapy and wellness coaching clients. This summer proved to be very challenging; I got to experience my very own kryptonite. The past 3 months saw all kinds of change and some days I just couldn’t see how things were going to turn around. I felt frustrated, scared and sad that in my 10th year with benchmark, I was having my worst year to date. It was a good dose of humility and to compensate I found myself making some serious changes with my own life (and lifestyle) and learning some invaluable lessons.
Now that September is drawing near, I am actually looking forward to fall. Clients are slowly returning from holidays and will re-engage in their ‘routine’ which thankfully, includes everything fitness and wellness. The summer has been a difficult, yet endearing time for me and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. This adversity allowed me to keep some ‘core’ clients progressing; fostering some really great relationships along the way. I’m so thankful that even when times have been tough, so many devotees have stayed the path and kept pushing forward with me at their side. I’ve learned a little kryptonite is good to break you out of your complacency and monotony. There’s always a point at which we feel like throwing in the towel, waving the white flag or jumping ship. There comes a time when we may be shadowed by doubt, uncertainty and hopelessness. When we feel so overwhelmed and emotionally bankrupt that we want to give up, that’s the time that we identify that even kryptonite has its limitations. There comes a time when you’ve reached the absolute bottom when you realize that there is no place to go but up. You pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again. Without perseverance, patience and persistence we’d all be lost. Thankfully, if we start to believe that our kryptonite is only that; kryptonite; we can take comfort knowing that once it is removed, we’ll be flying again. What I’ve come to appreciate most this summer is that the only thing that has held me back is ME. Since I’m in control of my destiny it’s up to me to make things happen. Sitting around and waiting for success of any kind to come and fall in my lap is surely not the right way to approach anything…
There is still plenty of 2009 remaining. Set some goals, do something to move forward. Although it’s not been an easy year for many, there are still 4 months left…the only person standing in your way and preventing you from achieving what you desire is YOU.
I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to come face-to-face with my own “K” this summer. There were some great lessons learned and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Amazing how much stronger and emotionally intelligent you will become once you find and get to know your very own kryptonite. Identify it and embrace it. Let your “K” shift from worst enemy to best friend. Don’t let “K” break you, instead, break “K”…