In the last post, we talked about crossing the threshold from the ordinary world, what most people think of as leadership, into the promised land of self-leadership. Once you answer this call, it requires making a deep commitment and taking directed action. It’s important to commit to daily habits that help you (the hero of your story) keep on track to ensure you complete your mission. All while having fun in the process. You’re having fun so far, right? If not, hold on, we’re getting there.
We’ve introduced you to your mentor, your internal guidance system. We talked about how, by listening to that guiding voice inside and then taking steps towards your true purpose, you will become the change you want to see in your organization. And by working the method laid out in this series, you will transfer this wisdom on to your team, your network, and the world — just by being you.
Once you take this big step in the new world towards self-leadership, you will experience tests and obstacles. Rest assured, it’s all part of the process. You’ll also come across some people or things that may feel like enemies. But you’ll also meet your allies. This is all part of the journey to become the leader you want to see.
Having awareness that tests, enemies, and allies are all part of this, coming to expect them, and most importantly, being willing to look at all of it, is all you need to know right now. Once you’ve made the commitment to cross the threshold — there’s no turning back. Unless, of course, you decide to let these tests and enemies defeat you. That’s an option. However, if you can keep in mind that this is all for a reason, you won’t be alone.
You will meet allies that will remind you why you’re doing this. And ultimately, you’ll be rewarded with the outcome you desire. You will step into the role of a lifetime, becoming the person who led the change first within themselves to ultimately serve their organization and fulfill its mission. Your character will be able to complete anything they desire in the future, all while showing others the possibility of self-leadership. In the end, it’s all worth it. The process can also be enjoyable if you commit to seeing it that way.
For years as a consultant, I was tasked with going into organizations to lead the team. To create better processes, to train on them, and to hire individuals who were excited about the mission. I was there to get the businesses running more efficiently for the long run. As you can imagine, walking into a new team to lead such a big charge came with its fair share of tests and enemies. Obstacles that made people (and myself) question whether we were doing the right thing. With commitment to the vision and the process, it was up to me and only me to be the change I wanted to see. I did this imperfectly, and still we made everlasting change. Not only for the organizations I served, but also for myself, our clients, and all of the individuals who were a part of the mission. These people became my allies as they saw the positive impact that transpired from taking directed action. They were brought into the bigger vision, and, although reluctant at first, they could see that my commitment was unwavering. It wasn’t the sharing of vision these teams believed in, but the actions from their leader towards the vision, letting the results speak for themselves and having the realization that when they do their part, they too could become the hero of their own story.
Nowadays, I’m even more aware and conscious of the fact that these trials and tests are all part of the process. They are there to serve a purpose. When these tests and enemies pop up, they are there so we can learn more lessons and deepen our wisdom. They are there — when we listen — to help us find the tools we need to successfully execute at this higher level.
As promised, along this journey you will be met with tests and enemies. Here are just a few of the things you may experience along the way:
– People telling you you’ve changed or treating you as though you have. They may even leave your life.
– Questioning yourself more than you have in the past.
– Struggling to find time to add space into your day to practice these habits, and getting off track.
– Fear of how other people may perceive you.
– Making mistakes on your journey.
– Losing employees because they don’t like the new version of you or your new environment.
– Letting people go because they no longer align with the future.
– Fearing it’s too late to change because everyone already knows you as this version of yourself.
– Hoping that because you’re evolving quickly, others will too, leading to disappointment.
– Eagerness to share all you’re learning, and when you do, people think you’re crazy.
– Feeling overwhelmed and anxious because the ordinary world was much easier.
– Experiencing moments of indecisiveness.
– Feeling stuck in cycles of procrastination.
– Confusion from seeking so much information that it all seems contradictory.
– Feeling misunderstood.
– People saying you’re cold, aloof, detached, idealistic, or Pollyannaish as you try on your new identity.
– Feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable in the transition of changing yourself.
– Feeling exposed or as if there is some sort of threat in becoming a new version of yourself.
– Questioning everything because the newness just feels alien.
– Wondering if you’ve made the wrong decision to choose this path.
– Regretting past behaviors and feeling embarrassed for where you’ve been or who you’ve been.
Most commonly, the old you will be your enemy. Those old voices grip hard to try and keep you in the ordinary world — where you look outside yourself for something or someone to lead you.
But rest assured, there’s a silver lining to all of this. You’ll also be met with allies. Allies may feel more infrequent at first, but here are some you may encounter along the way:
– The people who want to rise with you.
– The people who are just as excited about conquering this mission.
– The people hungry for a true leader.
– The people stepping into their own self-leadership.
– The people who are already at where you’re trying to grow.
– The helpful people who will guide the way.
– The people who start following in your footsteps and reaping their own rewards.
– The resources to make things possible.
Most importantly, the inner you will feel more at peace. You will become an ally to yourself.
This journey of answering the call to receive the biggest reward there is — internal peace as a leader of others and a leader of self — is no easy feat. If you are willing to accept the tests, enemies, and allies that pop up along the way, you’ll be encouraged to endure more and more until you’re finally there. A peaceful leader and master of self-leadership. This requires sacrificing some comfort for now in order to ultimately obtain the greatest gift — living your life with purpose and showing others the way, just by being you. The regrets you’ll have if you don’t pursue everything you know is possible far outweigh the temporary discomfort in the transition.That voice, the inner knowing, the whisper or roar inside of you will always be there if you don’t answer the call. The goal is to continuously work towards minimizing your regrets. As F. D. Roosevelt said, “there is nothing to fear but fear itself.”
If you are ready to take it all on, the tests and the enemies, to finally meet your true allies, take one more step towards becoming the leader you want to see. Take action!
Take action: If you’ve come this far in the posts and have followed the action steps, you’ve listed out the daily habits you’ve committed to for the next 90 days and you’ve developed a pretty kick-butt story of a hero overcoming obstacles. Now, it’s time to prepare to add a little more flavor to that script, which we will do later in the series. We want to know who this character will meet along the way. How will that impact the hero of the story? And how will they ultimately interact with those characters? We’ll add those arcs in later, but for now, start by making a list of all the tests, allies and enemies you’re anticipating coming across in your own journey. Take a look at the list above. Which one of these might you expect to encounter? Or is there something else? Whatever your fears are in anticipation of who or what you’ll meet along the way and what’s ahead, take action now and list them out.