Do You Have a Chip on Your Shoulder?

Do you have a chip on your shoulder? You know, the type that pushes you to excessive effort, relentless resilience and pursuit of greatness, over and over again, no matter what life throws at you?

Mine has always been a theme of not feeling good enough. Never good enough.

From being a nobody in a small town to being invisible as the youngest kid in my high school class to being told I’m ugly, to getting dumped or betrayed, I learned to transform myself into an invincible, armored, fearless warrior.

While the last several years, being a husband and a Dad have unraveled my need for the act and instilled that the real me is good enough for the relationships that matter most, the chip is still there in many areas of my drive.

I lost a job that I supremely dominated through no fault of my own, and suddenly droves of people that worshipped me or called me family disappeared. It taught me how alone I really was, and I vowed to come back better than ever no matter how long it took.

A manager that did not like me targeted me, made unfair changes to my work and tried to get rid of me. I responded by catapulting myself to every award imaginable. I studied every facet of that role and became obsessed with the process that would make me successful.

I’ve been promised promotions that were created for me and then given to someone else. I’ve had the rules changed on me to unseat me from #1 only to refuse to give up my top seat; I pivot, adjust and win again.

Some would think these crucibles and debilitating losses would jade someone or have someone near a breaking point. I thank God for them every day. These experiences have taught me, molded me and made me better than I deserve to be. I have everything I’ve ever wanted, and more.

Do you have a chip on your shoulder? 

#resilience #motivation #growthmindset #success #overcomingobstacles #personaldevelopment #leadership #selfimprovement #mindset