Has anyone ever said anything that rocked you to your core?
Several years ago I was having a conversation with a colleague. I made a comment about an effort we were working on, and they looked at me and said (with a not-so-kind tone), “NOTHING is ever good enough for you!”
I was so taken off guard I had to leave and take a walk around the building. It took my breath away and shook me hard. For many years that comment kept rattling me, and I suppose in all honesty, it rattled me because there was a grain of truth in it. It’s taken me years to unravel it and let it settle in.
Interesting enough, last week I was on a walk enjoying the sunshine. That comment came rushing back and hit me like I’d run into a brick wall. The difference was my thinking suddenly changed. This time I said to myself, “Heck yeah! Nothing IS ever good enough me!”
What it means is that I have drive, determination, grit. I don’t settle. I make things better. I want to see progress. I have a fundamental belief that EVERYTHING has the possiblity to get better. That day I claimed it as my superpower and let go of it as a vice.
Like most superpowers, I need to manage it. I need to check my intentions. I also need to understand how it may be perceived or how it may make others feel. Absolutely I do. AND I need to claim my superpower and use it intentionally to continue to make a positive impact.
What is your superpower? Has anyone ever made you question your superpower? What did you learn from that experience?