Towel Throwing is for Quitters

A Manifesto for Doers.

Don’t throw in the towel, don’t walk away. The hard work is already done. All that is needed now — is patience. (And a lot of deep breaths.)

(This might prove to be the hardest work of all.)

Waiting for movement. We’re ready to run, we have it all figured out. We are ready to move forward. Just need the green light and we’re off to the races.

We Are Ready to GOOOO!

But, what about the rest of the team?

What about the fears, tension, history that needs to be worked through? We can’t move forward until everyone in the office signs off on it. And, in the long run, we have to believe that consensus will make for a stronger decision. It is best for the team to challenge every angle of the idea, project, pitch or suggestion. Now is the time for them to ask the hard questions. 

Hard questions make us better. This will make us stronger. That’s what is in it for us. That is why we show up every day. We want to be better. We can always be better.

Let them poke holes, let them have the time they need. Let them sleep on it.

No pressure, sure, take all the time you need. No sweat. I understand!

If everything was smooth, without a hitch, we might not have the right people on the team. Everyone matters. And, that slows it down.

Everyone matters, and that slows it down. 

It’s not a stoppage of play. It’s simply a timeout. Make sure we’re calling the right play. Make sure we’re positioned the way we need to be.

This is what progress feels like. And, that’s what we’re here for — progress. Even if (when) it’s painful. (It’s always painful!)

Remember, no one said it would be easy. If it were easy, they wouldn’t need us to be here in the first place!

Progress is not about being wrong or right. It’s not really even about trust, but while we’re there, fists clenched and frustration mounting, it feels like everything we stand for is being challenged.

But, it’s not us. It’s not us. It’s not us. It’s not us. It’s not us.

What we need now is a little perspective. What we need now is a little “big picture thinking.” (What we need now… is a drink!)

Ok, now that we’re calm, now that we can remove ourselves from the emotions that we naturally tie to all things that matter, let us find our way through.

Because, on the other side, that’s where the magic happens.

And, bitterness, resentment, frustration and anger will only take away the joy that is inevitably going to be there waiting for us, when we get through the mud and the muck that we’re facing.

Don’t give away your power.

Don’t give away your joy.

The race isn’t over.

The only way out is through.