WEATHERING THE STORM
Take Periodically As Needed – Quarterly Medicine For The Mind
” Weathering The Storm ”
In my opinion , one of the most overused and misunderstood sayings of all time is this : Life isn ’ t about weathering the storm . It ’ s about learning to dance in the rain . Inevitably , I would hear someone misquote these words of wisdom each time I was experiencing some sort of bump in the road , some sort of hardship or difficulty . For some reason , people tend to find solace in the first idea without truly understanding the second .
“ Weathering the storm ” is an admirable ability to possess . It shows someone ’ s perseverance . It highlights their ability to buckle down and forge through the impasses that consistently test our resolve . Through these struggles , we can find our strengths and unfortunately ; our weaknesses . Storms test our mental toughness as well as our physical toughness . Each struggle brings feelings of stress and anxiety that need to be dealt with properly in order to find the correct state of mind to handle the tasks at hand . Cortisol is released from the body creating a fight-or-flight reaction that , in some cases , helps us progress but in others cases , hampers us .
“ Learning to dance in the rain ” is an entirely different way to weather the storm . It suggests that trials and hardships are only a matter of perspective . The adage
offers two different perspectives on the same occurrence . The first is that when it rains , there is a storm that will need to be weathered . The second perspective suggests that when it ’ s raining , you have the opportunity to dance . Joyously , gracefully , happily , you pick the method , but dance nonetheless . Imagine the ability to see each storm as the opportunity to dance . To truly and wholeheartedly feel the excitement of being able to test your own resolve , prove your worth and conquer whatever it is that just came barreling unexpectedly into your path .
Business , like life , is a series of storms , one right after the other . What I ’ ve learned about myself is that I ’ m fairly capable of weathering just about any storm that comes my way . That being said , storms take a toll on my mental and physical endurance . And just like anyone else , they tend to cause me to look for a break in the action or an upcoming vacation in order to recharge my batteries . Call it the rat race . You dive out there full of energy and make as much progress as that energy allows . Once you run out of fuel , your progress slows and your ability to be the best manager or employee or boss that you could be falters .
Recently , I ’ ve weathered some of the most intense storms imaginable , both personally and professionally . Out of these struggles , I have really come to understand the depth of learning required to dance in the rain . Learning to look forward to goals that need to be achieved and problems that need to be solved allows you to derive an incredible amount of motivation from the issue itself . If the struggle provides you with the energy to keep moving forward , then you no longer need anything but the struggle itself to stay motivated . Staying in a motivated , energetic state allows ideas to flow from areas of the mind otherwise clogged and tired .
So good for you if you have found the strength to “ weather the storm .” Yes , it indeed will pass , but imagine how much more you could accomplish if you actually learned to “ dance in the rain .” +
Ryan offers an understanding and a refreshing change of perspective . His 14 years of experience in the insurance industry has allowed him to understand business from many different angles and in turn , provide solutions to improve productivity . Ryan has been speaking for almost 10 years on various topics , focusing mainly on improving staff mindsets , industry understanding and controlling loss .
BY : RYAN FLEMING VICE PRESIDENT , JGS INSURANCE
SPRING 2017 | 5