Warning: When you reach Mastery and are willing to "level up", expect it to NOT be easy.
After decades of personal work, I have reached a place where I level up FAST, like at least once a year. Every time this happens, I get nailed by my expectation that it will be easy, and the story I tell around this gets me into trouble.
The reality is, I level up fast fast fast! I'm meant to be in motion and even though I think I want to enjoy the plateau, I always know that my success in reaching it means only one thing; I'm about to begin again.
About a month ago, I plateaued. It was an awesome feeling of accomplishment to look around me and see that I was living the life I'd always dreamed of. I was 99% satisfied, and for the moment, the 1% was content with being silent.
Over the next week, during which I was on vacation, I did a lot of "housekeeping" in both my personal and professional life, and that 1% began to grow.
By the time I got home, I had changed. So much so, that the disrespect and lack of value my current employer had for me was no longer tolerable. When the owner completely restructured my position and effectively cut my income off at the knees, without notice, I requested that we renegotiate our contract, or negotiate an equitable exit agreement.She hung up, and moments later I was locked out of the company email.
In retrospect, this was the moment of transition.
The crazy part is that, as a writer, I know that before I begin a new paragraph, I have to transition from the last one. The same goes for leveling up. This transition can be a very dark place, and I've seen people, including myself, get lost in there for long periods of time. It's not shapeless though, it's really just the hallway between one door closing and the other one opening.
The key is to recognize the transition when it happens. (I just got that as I wrote it)
For the last few weeks, I've been in and out of the hallway, never quite crossing the threshold of what's next. In the hallway you are vulnerable. I've been vulnerable. Some relationships have toppled, others have gotten stronger. Because I live very publicly in my RV, with no desire to own a home, this is the time when those who disagree with my lifestyle feel comfortable criticizing me. People have been mean to me. I've been judged. I'm about to lose my spot to park at a very inconvenient moment. (I see another transition).
In moments of Mastery, small-minded people are a nuisance. When I'm between doorways, they are the boogie monster in the dark.
If you're already in the hallway, don't give up right before you win, and don't allow yourself the luxury of despair. You may cry, as endings can be sad, even if they are of your own choosing. So grieve. Then begin again, with the sure knowledge that you've done this once and you're gonna do it again. Many times.
You're alive and vibrant because you've chosen to continue your Journey. This is what life is all about. Making lots of money is the fringe benefit of the work you do, it's not the reason you were born though. As long as you're traveling in this form, on this plane, you're meant to participate, and it ain't over til you say it is.
No comments:
Post a Comment