Charge The Storm!

In life, we are constantly faced with challenges, obstacles, and storms that test our resilience and determination. How we choose to confront these adversities can make all the difference in our individual journey through life. One powerful lesson we can learn comes from observing the behavior of buffalos and cows when confronted with a storm. Recently, during our weekly gatherings, a group of buddies and I delved into this very topic and came to a profound conclusion—we want to more closely identify with the buffalo. Allow me to explain why!

When a storm approaches, cows instinctively start to run in the opposite direction, attempting to avoid it altogether. However, despite their efforts, cows are not naturally fast animals, and the storm inevitably catches up with them. Instead of outrunning the storm, they end up running parallel to it, maximizing the amount of pain, time, and frustration they experience.

On the other hand, buffalos have a different approach. When they sense a storm coming, they do not flee. Instead, they wait for the storm to draw nearer, and then they turn and charge directly into it. By facing the storm head-on, they minimize the impact and duration of its effects. Rather than prolonging the inevitable, they charge towards it!

This buffalo mentality is reminiscent of the 'Marching Up the Cannon's Mouth' mentality which remind me of the lyrics of a song by the late rapper Nipsey Hussle: "Plenty times I've felt like this the end now, but I catch my 2nd wind around the 10th round. Only God knows to where it went down, but if you see us up, that's 'cause we been down." These words capture the essence of resilience and perseverance in the face of the inevitable adversity we are all but guaranteed to experience in life.

Ultra-performers and Multipliers embody this mindset of charging directly into problems. They understand that procrastination and avoidance only serve to prolong the pain and frustration. Instead, they choose to confront challenges head-on, knowing that it is the only way to overcome them and emerge stronger on the other side.

In the journey towards success and leadership, whether in your private life or otherwise, adopting the mentality of the buffalo is essential. It requires courage, resilience, and a willingness to embrace discomfort. By charging the storm like buffalos, we can navigate life's inevitable ebbs and flows with grace and determination, emerging stronger and more resilient with each challenge we face. We're all familiar with the adage that there's no growth in the comfort zone, yet discomfort only persists as long as we allow it to. After all, the metaphorical 'monster under the bed' only remains frightening as long as we avoid looking underneath to confirm that it was all in our minds all along.

Storms are scary, the potential monsters under the bed can be equally frightening and indeed bad things happen to good people, yet it all ends and starts with us. Perhaps you're currently grappling with a major disappointment, experiencing a life-altering event, or finding yourself overwhelmed by the proverbial impostor syndrome. It's crucial to acknowledge and work through these feelings while also recognizing that feelings are often fleeting. However, amidst it all, you must never lose sight of who you are. Don't allow anyone or anything to dim your flame. Recognize your strengths, acknowledge your limitations, and charge forward with resilience and determination like the buffalo!