Stagnation as a CEO/CXO/Leader
STAGNATION
It all started with the drive to produce something amazing in the world.
To define who you are and show what you can do against what ever odds.
It’s what Steven Pressfield calls, the hero’s journey. It’s a journey filled with hard work, sacrifice, and failure.
At the time the struggle didn’t really feel that way. It didn’t feel that way because of your drive to succeed.
“I will do what it takes or die trying”.
Do what it takes get the money, the house, the partner, the kids, the amazing business. Even if it costs health, friendships, hobbies, and happiness.
Really it was a process of self creation, yes to show them what ‘I can do’ but actually, to prove it to yourself.
The hero’s journey dies when you achieve the dream.
You have the house, beautiful family, car, holidays, money and then the big question appears, now what?
“I suppose I’m supposed to just enjoy it now?”
Life can start to feel stagnant and rudderless.
“I have all this stuff, am I ungrateful? What’s wrong we me? Why don’t I feeling inspired anymore?”
Some reach this stage and start to create goals to fill the void.
A triathlon, more money, a holiday home but it never seems to work.
It’s time for what Steven Pressfield calls, the “artists journey”.
You know that you can execute.
More evidence of what you already know just isn’t going to fulfil you in the same way.
There is nothing new or novel in proving to yourself what you already know is there?
Those who fail to embark on the artists journey start to feel tired and apathetic, lazy, frustrated.
The artists journey is one of purpose, you know what you can DO. In this phase you decide who you are going to BE.
The artist journey is the beginning of the end of your inconsistency, your reactivity and your unpredictable mood.
The truth is that you have always had it in you. It’s that way of being that those who love you most see in you.
It’s your unique gifts
It’s that sense of fulfilment you get when it is seen in you like they have REALLY seen you.
In many ways it’s harder than the hero’s journey.
The artists journey is where you start to see yourself and know who you are supposed to be in the world.
I have coached millionaires, multi-exiting founders, partners and CEO’s and they have all found a new level of freedom and fulfilment when they have revealed their purpose, their values, their genius.
It’s the difficult work of self definition;
What do you most hope those you love and care about will remember you for when you’re gone?
If you could write a message on a billboard for the whole world to see, what would that message be and why?
If you were deep in fear and insecurity what words would you hope someone would say to you and why?
When you think about it, the only real way to live a life of freedom and fulfilment is ON PURPOSE.
Hoping that things will just fall into place by accident is unlikely to coincide with an inspired life, don’t you think?