What’s Your Number?
For the last four years of my peer group advisory practice, we’ve had a ritual each month where we “check in” as a way to indicate how we’re showing up that day. Each member of the group rates themselves on a scale from 1-10 with supporting rationale in the categories of Personal, Professional, and Health. It’s been one of my favorite exercises as it sparks meaningful discussion and gives us each a chance to take off our masks and talk about what’s really going on. It’s not uncommon for any member of the group to run the range typically between say 2 and 9 - and we see it all. And, it does change from month to month as things in our lives - family, customers, the income statement, cash flow, the regularity of our workouts, etc. - ebb and flow.
Lately, though, I’ve really begun to reflect on the numeric rating. Every circumstance, whether extraordinarily good or extraordinarily hard, is real and is legitimate in its impact on us and those around us. But, I’ve been wondering about the legitimacy of the 1-10 rating, at least for me. Here’s why…
I believe in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. I am a sinner saved by grace. God is God and I am not. I’m not a prosperity-Gospel guy; bad things happen to good people. The life of the Christian is no more secure, easy, or comfortable than anyone else. So, if I’m a 3, 8 and 6 in my current circumstances that’s one thing - but if I allow my current circumstance dictate “how I’m showing up” today, where is my faith? The writer of the book of Hebrews defines faith as”the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” And it is THIS that gets us way past our current circumstance - or it should. It should inform how I respond to life’s most difficult challenges AND its biggest wins. It should encourage as well as keep me humble.
So where does this leave us - you and me. We each have something that informs our worldview, whether it’s a practicing faith or something else. We each also are in the middle of our own (very real) story - of the good, the bad, and the sometimes ugly. As leaders and frankly, as humans, I think it’s important that we reflect on this larger element and allow that to drive our rating and how we actually show up in these circumstances rather than letting the circumstance dictate.