Finding Joy in the Friction
If I could sum up this month in one word, it would be friction. Progress is happening—momentum is building—but it hasn’t come without its challenges. On days when I don’t get enough rest, I find myself working harder just to regulate my emotions. These moments remind me why I’m making changes in my life. Growth happens when I can take feelings of frustration or despair and turn them into moments of purpose and joy.
Take today, for example.
My recovery was low—45% on my Whoop—and after running on 4.5 hours of sleep, I was already feeling like I was on an emotional rollercoaster. Then it happened: I ran out of gas.
On my way to a business meeting, my heart sank as the car sputtered to a stop just outside my neighborhood. I hadn’t stopped for gas last night after work because I wanted to get home in time to put Izel to bed. I figured I had just enough to get to the gas station in the morning—but I was wrong.
Even worse, I had an audience: my neighbors. You can imagine how that felt.
But something unexpected happened. My neighbors were friendly, offering to help, give me a ride home, or even take me to the gas station. Their kindness shifted my perspective. With a smile, I politely thanked them for their gesture and declined, saying, “It’s a lovely day for a walk, and I’m just down the way.”
Later, when I was trying to explain the situation to Jazmin, Zoé overheard and was so excited by the commotion that I couldn’t get a word in. That’s when it hit me: I needed to find the joy in this.
I turned to Zoé and asked, “Hey, Zo, want to go on an adventure?”
Her face lit up, and she exclaimed, “Yay! I love going on adventures with Daddy!”
In that moment, my frustration melted away. Her joy was contagious. She rushed to get ready, and on the way to the gas station, she bombarded me with curious questions, turning the mundane into something magical.
When we arrived, she was captivated by the process of filling up the gas can to “fix Mommy’s car.” On the way back, she asked for a sparkling water. At first, I said no, but then she cleverly asked, “Daddy, I wonder where we can stop and get one.”
That got me. I thought about what my parents would have done—or wished they had done. The choice was simple: one sparkling water in exchange for a core memory? I’ll take that deal every time.
Her happiness in that moment stopped me in my tracks. I thanked God for the reminder to be present, to lead with grace, and to find joy in the friction.
From there, it was quick work to get the gas, fill the truck, and get back home. Now, I’m here, outside my office, so full of gratitude that I couldn’t even wait to step inside before sharing this story with you.
As for the meeting I missed? Thankfully, I was able to reschedule with a supportive group of entrepreneur parents who understood the situation.
Reflection Questions for Sustainable Performance:
* Have you ever felt this way before?
* How did you approach it?
* How could you do it better next time?
* Are you in alignment with your best self?
* What would your best self tell you in this situation?
* How will this impact those around you?
If this story resonates with you, and you want to learn how to transform friction into purpose and joy, join The Inner Circle. Together, we’ll explore actionable strategies for thriving in both your personal and professional life.
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