The 10%

The last few weeks have been challenging and stressful, and not just because I'm training for my second degree black belt. For the kids, I'd compare this kind of stress to the end of a term at school...paper deadlines creeping up, presentations to prepare, season championships on the line...etc. I've already shared about a few things: block party, taking on the responsibilities of one of my employees while she's on maternity leave, hiring for a manager position and planning for the transition of one manager to another position, 2012 budget process is starting, the end of the Dare to Dream Test, and this darn ankle situation.

Well, life definitely does not slow down when you're feeling stressed, and you have to learn to deal with multiple on-going situations that require a large amount of focus, planning, analysis, critical thinking, problem solving, and making very difficult decisions.

What I haven't mentioned before is that my friend of 12 years was an internal candidate for the manager position that we were hiring for...and that position reports to me. I spent many days and sleepless nights thinking about this situation, and my friendship. The hiring decision was not solely mine, but was a committee decision, and my friend did not get the position. The person we hired was more qualified and had more experience, yet this experience definitely had a toll on my stress level and my friendship.

When I think about the past month, and all that has happened, I am impressed with myself and how calm and focused i have been able to remain overall. I feel like I owe this to my training as a black belt at Aim High. "Life is 10% what happens, and 90% how you react to it." I honestly find myself repeating this statement more and more...it's become an affirmation.

Because of my training as a black belt, and my dedication to maintaining control of my thoughts and actions, I know I will get through everything that is happening right now with a positive outlook on life and the things to come.