Be scrappy
You’ve been here before. You’ve faced frayed nerves that bubble up when you realize you’re not entirely sure what you’re doing, where you’re going, or how you’ll get there. You are filled with angst and doubt.
You’ve been around the block a few times and you know for most folks, this is the end of the line. They get off the train before ever getting on. They are paralyzed by fear. They don't dare venture further.
They hedge their bets and to stay put, safe and sound in their comfort zone. They are OK with easy pickings. You aren't so easily pleased.
You are scrappy. Safe and sound aren’t how you do things. You’re not scared off by stress or unease. You know it will pass. You’re at your best faced with a challenge. You know aggravation is the mother of invention. Adapt or die. You steel yourself and push on.
You push past the initial dread and engage in some good, old fashioned soul searching. You seriously question if you’re clever or quick enough on your toes to do what needs done better, faster, or smarter than the next guy or gal. Truth is, you might not be. But you realize that how you might stack up to the competition isn't the point of this exercise.
You take this for what it is, an opportunity. You take a breather, get some distance, gain some objectivity, and take a gander at what you’re made up of. No need to put on airs, pose, or posture. There’s no one around to impress, not that it would matter much if there was. Showboating isn’t like you. You know better than most the the loudest vessel is an empty one.
You dig down deep to take an honest stock of your strengths and you’re absolutely relentless at calling out your weaknesses. You’re no fool and you know better than to delude yourself. Better to know what and where you're lacking than for someone without your scruples to fumble upon a crack in your armor and exploit it. That's right, you're a modern-day knight with some serious mettle.
Besides, you have big plans for your shortcomings. They’re no use to anyone swept under the rug. No, you’re going to do your very best to work out those kinks. You’re not going to get too hung up on having them. You’re going to work on them and improve where you can until they’re at least good enough for government work. Alright, well probably a smidge bit better than government work. Because, hey, let's level - you’re a perfectionist. What's good enough for most isn't quite up to snuff for you.
Still, you’re realistic. You know your limits. You know you can’t be boss at everything - and that’s OK. You do you like a champ. You associate yourself with other scrappy types that are champs in their own right. They’ve mastered some things you haven’t and you've got a lot stuff down to a science that they don't. You have their six and they have yours. Scrappy or not, we all have blind spots. Together, you get it done like a Spartan phalanx.
Just relax. You’ve got this. You’ve been here before. You have a good idea of what to do, where to go, and how to get there. You’ve done your homework and you’re prepared for the risks of going out on a limb. It’s who you are. It’s what you do. This isn’t your first go and you know what comes next is the fun part. It’s fun because even if you lose, you win. You learn from your losses. You don’t lose momentum. You’re scrappy and you know how to pivot.
You’ve got the tough stuff covered. You’ve defeated your doubt, taken an account of your gifts, rooted out your soft spots, and developed a game plan to expand on what you're great at while you improve on those spots where you're not so hot. You’ve earned the trust, love, and respect of other smart, scrappy types. That’s still not enough thought, is it? So, what is?
This. You always have an eye out for opportunities to help others succeed. You're not above doing what needs done, including drudgery. You've got humility. You're generous with your time and talent. You share what you’ve learned and how you’ve learned it. You revel in being an ally and make yourself available to lend a hand to help others solve problems they can’t solve alone. You’re a leader and you know the best leaders are glad for the honor to share their skills. So that’s what you do. That's who you are. You’re a scrappy servant-leader with a plan.
You roll up your sleeves and get to work.
You’ve been around the block a few times and you know for most folks, this is the end of the line. They get off the train before ever getting on. They are paralyzed by fear. They don't dare venture further.
They hedge their bets and to stay put, safe and sound in their comfort zone. They are OK with easy pickings. You aren't so easily pleased.
You are scrappy. Safe and sound aren’t how you do things. You’re not scared off by stress or unease. You know it will pass. You’re at your best faced with a challenge. You know aggravation is the mother of invention. Adapt or die. You steel yourself and push on.
You push past the initial dread and engage in some good, old fashioned soul searching. You seriously question if you’re clever or quick enough on your toes to do what needs done better, faster, or smarter than the next guy or gal. Truth is, you might not be. But you realize that how you might stack up to the competition isn't the point of this exercise.
You take this for what it is, an opportunity. You take a breather, get some distance, gain some objectivity, and take a gander at what you’re made up of. No need to put on airs, pose, or posture. There’s no one around to impress, not that it would matter much if there was. Showboating isn’t like you. You know better than most the the loudest vessel is an empty one.
You dig down deep to take an honest stock of your strengths and you’re absolutely relentless at calling out your weaknesses. You’re no fool and you know better than to delude yourself. Better to know what and where you're lacking than for someone without your scruples to fumble upon a crack in your armor and exploit it. That's right, you're a modern-day knight with some serious mettle.
Besides, you have big plans for your shortcomings. They’re no use to anyone swept under the rug. No, you’re going to do your very best to work out those kinks. You’re not going to get too hung up on having them. You’re going to work on them and improve where you can until they’re at least good enough for government work. Alright, well probably a smidge bit better than government work. Because, hey, let's level - you’re a perfectionist. What's good enough for most isn't quite up to snuff for you.
Still, you’re realistic. You know your limits. You know you can’t be boss at everything - and that’s OK. You do you like a champ. You associate yourself with other scrappy types that are champs in their own right. They’ve mastered some things you haven’t and you've got a lot stuff down to a science that they don't. You have their six and they have yours. Scrappy or not, we all have blind spots. Together, you get it done like a Spartan phalanx.
Just relax. You’ve got this. You’ve been here before. You have a good idea of what to do, where to go, and how to get there. You’ve done your homework and you’re prepared for the risks of going out on a limb. It’s who you are. It’s what you do. This isn’t your first go and you know what comes next is the fun part. It’s fun because even if you lose, you win. You learn from your losses. You don’t lose momentum. You’re scrappy and you know how to pivot.
You’ve got the tough stuff covered. You’ve defeated your doubt, taken an account of your gifts, rooted out your soft spots, and developed a game plan to expand on what you're great at while you improve on those spots where you're not so hot. You’ve earned the trust, love, and respect of other smart, scrappy types. That’s still not enough thought, is it? So, what is?
This. You always have an eye out for opportunities to help others succeed. You're not above doing what needs done, including drudgery. You've got humility. You're generous with your time and talent. You share what you’ve learned and how you’ve learned it. You revel in being an ally and make yourself available to lend a hand to help others solve problems they can’t solve alone. You’re a leader and you know the best leaders are glad for the honor to share their skills. So that’s what you do. That's who you are. You’re a scrappy servant-leader with a plan.
You roll up your sleeves and get to work.