The Price Of Being Right
Three years ago, I stepped aside from leading an Olympic sports organization. I remember leaving the office for the final time on that Friday afternoon having no idea about how I would feel the next day. Kind of jubilant. Kind of anxious.
Would I regret my decision to leave?
Would I second-guess the decisions of the next leader? < — there’s a biggie that many of us hang on to.
The next morning I went for a long run and then returned home to start typing. I finished the first Sunday Morning Joe — a small step that released a monumental page-turn into the next chapter of my life.
The Pull
Occasionally, a former colleague from my previous work-world called or emailed to ask a question, usually referring to an issue or a process. But overall, I was surprised at the speed at which I distanced myself from a job that had occupied my life for half of a decade.
The Push
Due to the virtually-connected world in which we live today, my previous work wants to creep back into my life, uninvited and kind of closely.
Occasionally it’s up-lifting. I see the results of positive and consistent actions by leaders who contribute invaluable life experiences to developing athletes and employees.
More frequently though, my social space is pervaded by posts of conflict, anger, entitlement, blame, and righteousness. My bad choice. Because I open up a social media app, I choose to let these critics’ hostility into my space.
Sure, it would be easy to jump into the fray. The barrier to entry is low. Here I could correct opinions stated as facts, spotlight the faults, or point out the true source of problems.
I’d weaken their certainty of being right.
But, this would come at a hefty entry fee… a price — for all of us.
Lost is doing the work.
Lost is the time wasted.
Lost is the creativity unused.
Lost is the serving of something greater.
Lost is the freedom and peace of walking away.
The consequences of being right cross into many other topics besides the enjoyment of paddling a canoe or kayak. Or the continued relationship with a neighbor. Or shared memories with a former school classmate.
Our health and habits pay the most brutal price of all for entering the negative fray.
The Release
Happening right now on your social media stream, “friends” are trading away their best attributes and talents which could be used to write books, create songs, connect in person with interesting people, launch businesses, find adventures, and achieve world-class performances.
For what? The opportunity to win the point in a toxic atmosphere?
The only winner is the toxic atmosphere, which welcomes your precious oxygen.
Stop enabling it. Release yourself with small steps forward, away from the fray.
The peace you will purchase in letting go, beats the price of being right.
With gratitude,
Joe
Hi, I’m Joe, the owner of 5 With Joe Performance Coaching. My clients are leaders, organizations, and teams who utilize my Olympic Gold Medal performance strategies and 40 years of navigating whitewater river rapids to streamline decision making and actions when engaged in complicated river currents of business and life.
The best way to interact with me is though Sunday Morning Joe, my weekly newsletter that explores the art of improving performance, overcoming challenge, and aligning with purpose for Sunday readers in search of more depth and motivation. Subscribe HERE for free.
