Keep Digging

THE OBSTACLE

I catch myself wishing I was somewhere else, doing something else, with someone else. I’ve felt that pull many times—the desire to escape the task right in front of me. And I know exactly what it feels like to either work with, or become, the person who complains, drags their feet, or poisons the environment with misery.
The truth is simple: the job still needs to get done. The ditch still needs to be dug. Cold, frozen ground, rain, heat, discomfort—none of it changes the fact that the work sits there waiting. And when I resist it, when I bring resentment or negativity into the moment, it never makes the job faster, better, or easier. It just drains me and everyone around me.

THE GIFT AND OPPORTUNITY

This friction exposes who I am choosing to be. It forces me to see the difference between the leader I want to be and the person complaining. It shows me the energy I bring into my home, my work, my marriage, my fatherhood, and my relationships.
The opportunity is in choosing discipline over resentment, presence over escape, intention over irritation. It’s a chance to practice emotional control. A chance to model the kind of leadership I want my kids to see. A chance to stop wasting time wishing life was different and instead build the capacity to meet it as it is.

THE PRACTICE OF SELF-MASTERY

Today I practice digging the ditch.
No complaining, no wishing I was somewhere else, doing something else, with someone else. What is - IS - and I am here now.
Just doing the work in front of me—focused, direct, steady.

I practice noticing when my mind wanders into resentment or frustration and pull it back to presence - the task, the situation, the company.
I practice leading myself first so I can lead others well.
I practice showing up with the energy I’d want from my team, my partner, my children, and my future self - from someone leading me.

Self-mastery is built in the moments where I don’t want to do the work but do it anyway—and do it well.

Today I dig.

-> always FORWARD.