Catalytic or Catastrophic
She got the call today
One out of the gray
And when the smoke cleared
It took her breath away
I guess we’re all one phone call
From our knees
We’re gonna get there soon...
(Matt Kearney)
Life can change on a dime - or a phone call. It often does. Events, experiences, and people intersect our journey - and we’re never the same.
Defining moments. Life changers. Will they be catalytic or catastrophic?
Victor Frankl and the Holocaust. David faces Goliath. Nelson Mandela's 27 years in prison. Jim Rohn meets John Earl Shoaff. Claudette Colvin refuses to move to the back of the bus.
We’ve all been gifted with one shot at “life under the sun”. We’ve got our opportunity at living life well...or not. Life “is opportunity mixed with difficulty” (Jim Rohn). I’ve found during my trip around the sun that opportunity and difficulty are often disguised as twins.
- 1987 - attended an international conference at the Boston Garden. keynote speech: “They Hated The Dreamer” changed the course of my 21 year old life. I became a dreamer.
- 1992 - a surprising and devastating conversation on the beach in Ventura, CA with my then mentor birthed my decision to chase character over limelight- I was never the same.
- 2002 - career ending conversation. “You’re not what we need going forward.” Ugh.
- 2008- Unfortunately I ignored the warning that “a few errors in judgement repeated everyday = disaster”. I endured one of the most bitter self-inflicted experiences of my life. Thankfully, I was never the same.
- 2011 - took a job that was “beneath me” (so I thought) crawling out of a significant period of unemployment after getting my Masters degree. A unique, very “other” than me CEO, grew my professional acumen and impact like no other.
- August 2018 - read an Indeed job ad that was so ridiculously candid - it was shocking. I had no choice but to respond - and so now I currently work in “The Greenhouse of Growth”.
Looking back at life and career, we know it’s not the experiences or conversations or moments themselves that hold the power to change our lives...it’s our response to them. But, if we aren't careful - we will mistake them for catastrophic moments.
What’s happening in your life right now...that is your catalytic moment?
"A few errors in judgement repeated everyday = disaster" I'm facing obstacles today. And though they may not be massive, they can FEEL overwhelming, potentially cataclysmic. But these daily obstacles are my opportunities. I don't want to be a small man that crumbles at difficulty, I desire to be a man of character capable of being useful in times of trial. Thanks for the thoughts Dad! Today, I'll be thankful for my obstacles, because they're my opportunity to overcome obstacles.
Great post Dan. Thank you for sharing. I remember vividly several catalystic moments in my life changing my life's trajectory. August 4th 2014. Chicago. Yogaview. Elevator. Keep the posts coming!!
Loved this Dan! A great perspective that sometime the hard times are what we need to change who we are becoming and where we will be going in the future. I know that the hard times for me have pushed me to become more than I every thought I would be. Thank you for sharing.
Well said Dan, thank you for sharing. I know so many of us can share timelines with similarities to yours, I know I can. It’s articles like these and the strength of good relationships that help remind me that that I’ve endured “catastrophic” events in my past. Ones that have formed and molded my character today. I am on a new path late in my life, recently obtaining a long time goal my B.S in HR Management. Looking to start a new career in the midst of Covid-19. This I am confident will be another defining moment “catalytic“ in my life.