embracing our imperfections together

I hope this message finds you well and thriving despite the ups and downs this year has been for all of us.

I've been reflecting, and I felt compelled to share a bit of my journey with you, hoping it might resonate or even help you navigate your path.

This year has been like a rollercoaster; if I'm honest, there have been moments when I haven't been at my best. Admitting this isn't easy. Like many of you, I strive for perfection, and falling short of that can be disheartening. I'm my own harshest critic, constantly pushing myself to learn from each challenge and not repeat the same mistakes. Perhaps it's the echoes of my former football coaches, with their booming voices, reminding me that "it's okay to make one mistake, but don't make two." I wish I could have responded, "But coach, we're human, and making mistakes is all part of our journey!" (insert big belly laugh emoji).

This reflection brings me to the true essence of resilience. It's a concept often misunderstood as merely 'standing firm' against life's challenges. However, I've had to remind myself that resilience is more about embracing change and navigating through life's inevitable ups and downs. It's about being open to transformation and finding ways to move forward, even when the path isn't clear.

The story of the oak and the bamboo illustrates this beautifully. While the oak stands tall and rigid, often breaking under the force of the storm, the bamboo bends and sways, demonstrating strength through its flexibility. This tale reminds us that sometimes, being resilient means being adaptable, learning from our experiences, and allowing ourselves to grow in new directions so we can excel in the future :)

I'm sharing this with you as a reflection and a reminder that it's okay to be vulnerable. It's okay not always to have the answers or to feel like we're not meeting our own expectations. What's important is that we continue to learn, grow, and support each other through our journeys. High-performing teams know this, and they consistently double down on it.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this topic. How have you navigated the challenges of this year? What does resilience mean to you? Let's continue to learn from each other and grow stronger together.

Life’s good.

Clint.