Some days it’s cold. Not just “put on a sweater” cold, but cold to the core. The kind of cold that leaves your eyelashes frosted and your face numb. It’s not easy to step out into the frigid temperatures wearing mukluks when all I can think about is being barefoot on a sandy beach.
And yet, I bundle up and I walk because I know the benefits of spending time in nature. Also, if I’m honest, I take a small measure of pride in that fact that, most days, I end up with over 10k steps.
To achieve this on week days (when meetings can clog my entire day) I sometimes schedule walk/talk meetings. On the day this picture was taken, I was finishing the design of a full day leadership retreat for a university in a much warmer state. I took the picture to share with my colleagues who could not believe the temperature I live in.
It was …… Cold!
While I’m donning multiple layers to prepare for my walk, I’m also anticipating the bitter winds and icy bite of subzero temperatures. This is the worst part, without a doubt. And the first step out the door is a shock every time.
Yet, once I begin down the path, and acclimate to my “new normal” I start to warm up. It starts in my core, and my brain thaws just a bit. I feel my shoulders drop, my mind slow down, and I just openly receive what’s around me. And then, magically, I realize I don’t feel as cold.
I’ve become familiar with this sequence, and I always look forward to this transformation that begins from within. I suppose I also feel a sense of pride; I confront the harsh, unforgiving conditions, and I have endured. I will face whatever Mother Nature has in store.
I can’t help but think about how this feeling is similar to other times when we have a dramatic shift in our lives: when we start a new project, or leave a long-time employer, or take on a new adventure.
It can feel like an insurmountable obstacle. Fear of the unknown, or fear of failure, or fear of the disorientation we are sure to experience may all be present. However, just like stepping into freezing temps, we can endure.
Once we start, we begin to warm up. We overcome the uncertainty, and eventually the fear. And as we continue to warm, this momentum keeps us moving forward. Keep in mind pretty much every time we start something, it can feel extremely cold. Hopefully, this will warm you up.
KerryOn Questions
- What obstacles are keeping you cold and need to be confronted?
- In what ways can you prepare yourself to take the first step?
- What do you envision the warmth to feel like once you get started?
The Kerry behind KerryOn
My name is Kerry K. Fierke, Ed.D. (pron. Fear-Key) I have a unique combination of skills and experience – decades of fast-paced corporate experience in Fortune 100 companies and large health care organizations, combined with the academic rigor of a highly ranked research university. My focus is supporting others to create their own path to leadership development, lifelong learning, and a unique leadership legacy. Take a moment to focus on leadership, then KerryOn!
To see all KerryOn's and other leadership stuff, visit www.kerrykfierke.com.
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