Hiding Is Easy

Hiding is easy

Doesn’t take much effort.

Just run.

Don’t think.

Don’t apologize

Don’t empathize, just run.

Find a place where you get small, take off anything shiny, and don’t say anything. By the time the smoke clears, you have hidden, and the big mean problem goes away. No more questions, the world levels off and you are soon able to go back to your disposition. If that means a sunny world and no problems, well – that is what you get, a sunny world with no problems.

But, if you want to stand for something, this isn’t an option.

There is an alternative

The alternative is to sit there and take it. Don’t run, don’t hide. You have to sit there and think about what you did, how you want to apologize, and empathize with the disruption you caused. You have to put yourself squarely in the crosshairs and take responsibility. The smoke is hazy, and sometimes, the issue won’t just go away.

You might get scarred, and it’s going to hurt.

Why would you do that?

Getting scarred sounds painful, and there are no brownie points. But it is worth it.because if you are in a place that favors how things look instead of how things are, you might suffer even more*.

The reason, though, if you want to stand for something, is that you are able to stand up and be counted. Leaders, true leaders, see where people claim responsibility.  You stand out, because the world is short on people who are willing to try, and even shorter on people who after they try, are willing to stand and say, “This didn’t work and here is why.”

The most successful people I know understand this and do this well. There is no reason why you aren’t one of them.

Note: Don’t confuse this with martyrdom, which often serves nothing but the ego. We are talking about real responsibility.  

* Runnnnnnnnnn