Flat or fresh?

They say our personalities stay pretty much the same throughout our lives, from the time we're about five years old.

So what? you say. This underscores the importance of understanding personality, because it really does follow us wherever we go across time and contexts.

Stereotypes, criticisms, comments and judgments would have lacerated our view of self pretty badly by the time primary school hits. Words don't dissolve into thin air. That old 'sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me?' line? It's B.S. Words linger. They leave marks. They're recalled by our mind, hasten our breathing and make the heart pound. 

A constant cycle of change

I'm sure you know what a rolling pin is. It crushes nuts, smooths out pizza dough and turns out pastry. I used to love to watch my grandma bake. When she brought the rolling pin out, I was intrigued. Aged in the single digits back then, I was captivated at its ability to transform haphazard bits of dough with each broad stroke. No matter how battered and irregular, no matter how lopsided the pie crust, the rolling pin could smooth it out again. Since then, I've been addicted to renewal. 

I've played hopscotch with faith – from Christian, to Buddhist, to eschewing it all… Instead, taking beliefs and practices from both that resonated me instead of following an 'organised' religion. I've moved countries, moved cities, moved houses, moved jobs and overhauled my social network when they no longer aligned with my values and the kind of person I wanted to be. Later, I 'smoothed over' my personality, metaphorically rolling over every "flaw" until I didn't recognise myself in the mirror. Nowadays, my career enables me to constantly grow and transform. 

Progress is impossible without change, however not all change brings progress. 

Sometimes I feel more flat than fresh. Maybe you've felt this too?

Stuck vs shielded

It's hard to discern whether you're engulfed in quicksand or down a block cave mine when you're eyeballs deep in it. So, if you find yourself in the hot tangled mess of your own evolution, let me give you the low down…

The only difference between being stuck in the mud or shielded within a cave is how we emerge. Both feel equally claustrophobic, humid and frustrating as heck while we're in there.

From the cave, we emerge gilded.

From the mud, we don't emerge at all. 

Renewal comes from the simple act of moving forward.

No matter the intensity of self-doubt. No matter the number of naysayers. No matter how many scars, scrapes, bruises and sad moments are branded into our heart. Be your own saviour, don't wait for someone to do that for you. Is it time for change?

Transformation - in business and in life - often starts with a small step. 

We find our strength in coming out the other side. Wiser, braver. And yes, a heck of a lot stronger.

You are not stuck. How you emerge is within your control.

******************************************

If you like what you read, here's more of my musings...

• I don't trust you
• What I wish I knew 10 years ago
• The Franklin Effect
• Fashion, frocks and fearlessness
• Part 1: 7Cs of managing change while managing up
• Part 2: 7Cs of managing change while managing up
• Glass ceiling? No, sticky floor...
• 3 reasons why the best change managers are never in their office
• 5 things NOT to do in a digital transformation
• Part 1: 4 reasons why data-based story is key (but we suck at it!)
• Part 2: 4 reasons why we suck at data-based storytelling
• Part 3: 5 ways to skyrocket the persuasiveness of your data-based stories
• Part 1: 7 signs of a toxic workplace
• Part 2: 7 signs of a toxic workplace
• Servant leadership's role in imparting change
• 10 leadership lessons from the front line of policing
• 5 infuriating stakeholders and how to deal with them
• 3 ambivert advantages - a change manager's insights
• 5 ways change management increases organisational 'health'