As you all know, all the material I get for Grad Meets World, my writing and my coaching programs comes from my own personal experience. If I’m going through something – whether it’s good or bad – I have no problem turning it into a message to help others.
In the past you guys have met this with open arms so I figured I should keep doing it. This week we’re going to talk about meeting challenges when you are working very hard on something you absolutely love. Maybe it’s a business, a job, a relationship, a project, whatever.
The point is – some of you may relate to the fact that as soon as you make a commitment to something that is amazing for you and very exhilarating – everything else around you starts to go crazy. One might even say – shit starts to hit the fan.
This is what has been happening to me lately. I made a very big decision when it comes to my online brand and business. I made a commitment. I have, as my boss says, “postulated it to the Universe.” And I have told a few people to keep myself accountable.
(I don’t mean to keep you guys in suspense but I will be letting you all in on more details later.)
And I was totally pumped! Ready to go! Psyched! And as soon as I made this commitment doors started opening. I got asked to do a live workshop (more details on that later), was invited to Puerto Rico to spend some time with other online entrepreneurs, was contacted by a columnist for a major media outlet, and have an incredible support system! I was totally being guided to everything I needed to make this happen!
That, of course, lasted all of twelve hours. Suddenly everything that could possibly make me upset, angry, sad, stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, doubtful and scared came up for me. From my personal life to my professional relationships it seemed like suddenly shit hit the f*cking fan in a matter of days! Seriously, I don’t think I’ve been this irritated in ages!
After a few days of feeling like pure crap I finally made some time for myself to just relax. Did some yoga, took a long shower, pampered myself and just tried to make myself feel better. Once my brain had gone from crazy left-sided rational thought stress bomb to right sided creativity I remembered something my very devout Catholic mother has said my entire life:
“Cuando el maligno se asoma, es buena senal.”
In other words, when evil, hardship or difficulties arise, it’s a good sign that you’re on the right track. The story goes that St. Teresa of Avila used to say this when she was reforming the Carmelite order in Spain during the 14th century. Now, if you think we’ve got problems – they were probably nothing compared to what this spiritual mystic had to deal with – and she was undertaking a HUGE MASSIVE SCARY project!
Can you imagine what it must have been like to be a leader in the Counter Reformation movement, reform the Carmelite order of nuns and found her own order of Carmelite nuns who are now known as Discalced Carmelites? For those of you who don’t know, she was met with loads of adversity and opposition, even within her closest circles! But she still did it! She knew she was on the right track despite the difficulties – and the result? – she wrote beautiful works like The Interior Castle (which I recommend to anyone), was named one of the very few female Doctors of the Catholic Church, whipped the Carmelites into shape and founded her own order of Catholic nuns which is now known worldwide.
I also remembered something one of my favorite authors, Gabby Bernstein, says when people start cracking open and doing some serious work on themselves and discovering what they love – for a while there stuff can be really, really uncomfortable. In fact, things may get way worse before they get better. And this is an awesome sign! It means you are on the right track and your ego is trying desperately to bring you down! Your ego will start pulling out all the stops when you’re on to something amazing and it’s our job to recognize that and keep going.
So, for those of you who are knee deep in self-reflective work, are working toward a massive passion project, or are just starting to figure out who you really are and what you want to do with your life – don’t get disheartened when challenges come up. That just means you are on to something amazing 
Ooooh! This has come to me at such a perfect time. I’ve been thinking about this idea of things getting tougher before they get better. I don’t think that REAL, longstanding progress is possible without struggle!
I tend to agree with you Raven! Everyone goes through struggle, it’s how we handle it that makes the difference
So many people give up instead of seeing it as a good sign. Let’s change the conversation!
Totally agree with this! I think when we open ourselves up a little, sometimes some bad stuff can get in. In my experience, if you are able to push past that stuff you end up having learned some lessons and your sphere of understanding is expanded.
Absolutely! You are spot on!
Must be some good things coming my way!
Seriously, when shit falls short, remembering that it is all a part of the process of achieving greatness helps. Great story, Amanda!
Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!