Chicago winters are brutal

Here is a picture I took from the plane as I left Chicago on my way to the east coast. (I know cloud pictures are cliche. Leave me alone. #nofilter) We had just ascended above the cloud line when I looked out the window and saw this breathtaking view. The picture never does it justice, but it was a view I was so glad to see. And one I thought I wouldn't be able to see.

I scheduled a workout on the East Coast to connect with the marketing team of a company that we recently acquired. We were discussing brand transition and marketing integration. I had people flying in from all over the country and this was an important meeting to kick off numerous work streams and build alignment. But honestly, meeting some of our new teammates face-to-face and building relationships was just as (if not more) important to me. 

I'll spare you the full details, but Chicago winters can be a beast. And a severe storm was headed my way just before the trip. Over the next 48 hrs I experienced a winter storm, brutal winds, changed flights, a cancelled flight, a cancelled trip, unpredictable weather patterns, phone calls to rearrange plans. But then.... a clearing in Monday Morning weather and a new flight! 

I'm at the airport super early, but feeling optimistic. Then...flight delay, another delay, a gate change, a plane but no crew, a plane and crew but no pilot. The morning felt like an eternity. Finally sitting in my seat on the plane, I find myself staring out the window. It's dark, it's cloudy. I'm in this little puddler jumper of a plane, cramped, staring at the wind racing by. I'm still not confident that we're leaving the ground. You can actually feel the wind shaking the plane. (Putting my faith in neither the weather, nor the plane.)

2 minutes later, everything changed. I'm now staring at an incredibly beautiful sunrise. 

In a matter of minutes, all the stress of trying to get into the air started to dissipate. My worries about the weather, schedule, and the workout were surpassed by the fact that I made it. I got into the air when everything was against me. 

My takeaway: 

Struggle is a part of the process

The struggle of getting into the air helped me appreciate the journey even more. For all the designers out there, we all know you don’t go into the design profession so that everyone will like you and your ideas. If you’ve ever put your work in front of a committee of peers, you quickly realize that the praise you were expecting is often met with changes, questionable feedback, and questions of your ability. Not always, but not uncommon. 

That’s ok. 

This resistance actually makes you a better designer. Ideas that are refined by the fire (of your peers) are stronger at the end. The process of refining ideas helps you appreciate the successes even more. If everything on that flight had gone as perfectly as planned, I wouldn't even have noticed the beauty of this sunrise. The struggle gave me new perspective and it will help elevate your creative problem solving. 

Resistance helps us elevate

Quite literally, it's the resistance of the wind against the plane's wings that lifts it off the ground. The wind that was causing me so much frustration on the ground was actually a necessary component of getting me to where I wanted to go. 

Learn to embrace this resistance. Whether it’s feedback on your work, lack of information going into a project, or uncertainty about the structure of your organization. Designers and creatives that can embrace this volatility will come out stronger. Here’s a reality check:

Your first idea is not always the best idea. 

And sometimes, somebody else has a better idea. (gasp) Your goal as a design leader is to create an environment where the best ideas can surface, and then you help build them. 

Choose your perspective

As we grow our organizations and stretch personally, consider embracing the struggle. It is a choice that we make. This struggle and resistance is a necessary process that helps us appreciate the journey, enjoy the beauty of what we accomplish, and elevate to greater heights.