Are You in the Arena?
Kim Burgdorf
Director, Customer Service Learning and Development at Chewy I ex-Amex I ex- Expedia
There are things that just stick with me sometimes. I read a lot of motivational content and I like to find inspiration in unique places. Sometimes it comes in the form of a quote. Sometimes I hear it in a song. Or maybe I read something in an article or a book that resonates with me. When it happens, I usually file it away and hope I remember it when I need it most.
“The Man in the Arena” is one of my favorites. I seem to come back to it time and again. Especially when things seem crazy or hard and I ask myself questions like
- Am I focused on the right things?
- Is the work that I’m responsible for adding value?
- Am I afraid to do more (or less!) in case I fail?
On April 23, 1910, Theodore Roosevelt gave what would become one of the most widely quoted speeches of his career. He was focused on delivering a message that demonstrated hard work, tenacity, and a desire to do the right thing can get you far in life. While he was speaking to a nation, the words resonate with individuals on many levels both personal and professional even today.
“The Man in the Arena” tells us that the man (or women!) we should praise is the one who’s out there fighting the big battles, even if those battles end in defeat. While we are not in the heat of real battle – we are in competition with ourselves every day. Can we do better today than yesterday? Can we fall and get back up? Can we fail – and still get back to it the next day so we can find success?
The words serve to remind us that glory and honor come to those “who spend themselves in a worthy cause.” And I think we are all worth it!
The Man in the Arena
The credit belongs to the person in the arena;
Whose face is marred by dust, sweat and blood;
Who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotions, and spends himself for a worthy cause.
Who at best, if he wins, knows the thrill of high achievement;
?and if he fails, at least fails doing greatly so that his place shall never be known with those timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.
Theodore Roosevelt 1910
Nice one Kim, if we in LnD are able to answer these 3 questions it will not only benefit us but will also bring in a trickle on effect.