I jinxed the elections. I woke up yesterday to news reports showing Hillary was leading in the polls. I experienced that wonderful elated feeling of well-being that all is right with the world. And I immediately started writing, words just spilling out onto the page; a euphoric narrative about a brave new world in which we continue to make great strides toward fulfilling the promise of equality, liberty, safety, and justice for all.
By night time I was watching the news with a sense of dread and disbelief. And then reality hit like a sucker punch to the gut. I have been spinning in a whirlwind of emotions: disappointment, fear, sadness, shock, disbelief. I am rarely at a loss for words, but I felt deflated and a bit numb. I am still trying to process how this could have happened.
But the coach in me is awakening, reminding me of the truth I’ve shared with my clients over the years: when encountering defeat, we must not be defeated. There is always a way to move forward. Challenges reveal the core of a person. This is the time to call upon our inner strength to persevere. When we truly value something, we fight for it with every ounce of our perseverance. It may take a while, but we have to keep at it and be the change we want to see in the world.
Yes, let’s take the time to process the loss and deal with our feelings. But let’s get up and move forward with grace knowing there is hope for the future:
The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.
~ Socrates
Let today be about re-engaging and re-connecting with those who share our vision of a better world and think about strategies to come together and pull through. I work with clients in new roles to put together their “first 90 days” plan. How about the next 90 days as we head into the holiday season and the upcoming New Year? What should we focus on? What commitments can we make and what actions can we take during these uncertain times? How can we continue to contribute to the canvas we all share for the greater good?
And I'd like to leave you with the following idea. When my friends and I go through a rough patch we send each other “make me smile” messages. They are a reminder to stay positive, focus on the good, and trust that we shall overcome.
Be the light. Keep fighting for a better world!
