What I Learned From Three Heart Attacks: Lesson #1

Sitting upright in a hospital bed in April of 2011, I gripped the cold side rails tightly, while I felt a surge of fear course through me. The doctor had just stepped out to review my blood test results, casually mentioning that my discomfort was likely just severe heartburn. But the uncertainty lingered, prompting him to order the tests as a precaution.

When he finally reentered the room and stood at the foot of my bed, his expression spoke volumes before he uttered a word. "Curtis," he began, his voice heavy with regret, "I'm sorry to say this, but you have 98% blockage in your right coronary artery. You've had a heart attack. We need to get you into surgery immediately."

And just like that, my world was turned upside down. At the age of 39, the idea of suffering a heart attack seemed unfathomable, yet there I was, facing what was the beginning of a 3-year trial. To my utter dismay, over the course of the following 2 years I would suffer two additional heart attacks and my life would never be the same!

Fast forward 10 years of being heart attack free, I now reflect on my journey and am humbled by the lessons learned from my personal crisis. In the coming weeks, I'll be sharing these insights, hoping they may offer guidance and inspiration to you in some small way. So let's embark on this journey together, starting with my first lesson learned.

Lesson #1: Live Now

There I was, seated in a hotel room, a place I had reserved for a full day. I was grappling with my second heart attack that left me feeling like I had a head-on collision with fear and anxiety.?I needed to get alone?to face my emotional state. I was a wreck. In the absence of a cell phone, computer, TV, or my wife,?I was determined to get real with myself, not knowing how much longer I would be alive.??It was scary, but I knew it was necessary. This hotel reservation was my attempt to do just that.

With tears welling in my eyes, multiple prayers uttered, and a notepad in my hand, I embarked on a journey of introspection. As I began to write, one particular thought weighed heavily upon me:?"I don't just want to remain alive; I want to truly live."?I soon realized I needed to get clear on what "living" meant to me. So, I did.?

Over the next few hours, I poured my heart onto paper, articulating my ideal life. No longer content with merely going through the motions of my high-level corporate job, I yearned for deeper meaning. I craved a life where my influence would make more of a tangible difference in the lives of others. Determined to dedicate the rest of my days to this pursuit, I outlined a vision that resonated with my sense of purpose.

The following day, armed with a newfound clarity of purpose, I embarked on a journey that continues to further develop before me. Shifting to a new mindset of intentionally "living now," inspired the following actions:

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From Comfort to Calling

I realized that to truly live according to my purpose, I needed to make some bold changes and be willing to take some risks. Despite having spent 16 years in the same industry, I recognized that in some respects, I was just going through the motions. Yet, what I loved about my work was coaching and developing others.?After further reflection, I pondered to myself: "Why don't I just go do that for a living." And I did! After a career pivot, I've been honored and privileged to coach and teach?thousands of leaders.

Getting Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable

When I left my familiar career path and embraced a new journey, even with a significant pay cut, it wasn't easy. Actually, it was quite uncomfortable stepping into a new field, however, it was through that discomfort that I experienced the necessary growth to position me for success. Simply put, I've learned that you cannot go to another place without leaving where you are. I'm not talking about a physical space, although this may be necessary for some of you, but I'm mostly referring to mindsets and beliefs. I had never coached a CEO, until I I got uncomfortable. I had never facilitated a team effectiveness workshop with an executive team until I got uncomfortable. I had never started my own business until I got uncomfortable. Even writing this article is uncomfortable! I'm convinced that growth only comes through discomfort.

Act Now, Don’t Wait

Let’s be real, another day of life is not promised to any of us. Heart disease has given me the gift of truly acknowledging this. Tomorrow does not exist, only today. Even tomorrow will become today. It’s my hope that you will not require a crisis like I did to start living the life you deserve to live. Don’t take a day for granted. Start living today!

Actions To Consider

1. Define Your Version of Living:

Take time alone to reflect on what "living" means to you. What brings you joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose?

2. Engage in “Living” Activities:

Whether it's reigniting old passions, volunteering, pursuing further education, or exploring old or new hobbies, seek out activities that resonate with your vision of living and start right away.?You don't have to quit your job before you start your journey. It's oftentimes the belief that we must take the radical steps to truly "live" that often prevent us from taking ANY steps. Take a small step today!

3. Get help:

When I left my comfort zone to start "living" I quickly realized that I was embarking upon some unfamiliar territory. For example, I had never facilitated leadership development workshops prior to leaving my career. Before I got started, I sought out the best facilitators I had known, offered them lunch (who turns down lunch?) and sought their wisdom. I then leveraged their wisdom to accelerate my growth and success. Don't go on the journey alone!

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Remember, truly "living" isn't about waiting for the perfect moment; it's about taking intentional steps towards a life that reflects your deepest values and aspirations. Don't settle for a life of mere existence when you can embark on a journey of true fulfillment and purpose today.

Next week, I will share my next lesson learned…"Be Where You Are."?

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