Challenge. A word we often hear, very often. Organisations want it, leaders want it, employees want it. Being challenged, accepting challenges and delivering on challenges.
I regularly wonder whether we realise what this means. Because there is no challenges without sacrifice and with a challenge comes the possibility to fail. Because a real challenge isn’t easy. I fit would be easy, it wouldn’t be a challenge.
In our preparation towards our triathlons, Jochem and I have both experiences that challenges give a lot of energy. It is great to exceed your boundaries and to notice that you are getting better. But it does require a large investment, especially in time. Time you can’t spend on other things. It means that you often have to say ‘no’ to invitations, because you have to train. Or that you are drinking water on that great party and probably leave before the end, because tomorrow is a training day.
When I look back at my trainings, a lot went naturally. Luckily I have many sportive friends who were happy to go for a run instead of a drink in a bar or a night at the cinema. It helped. But not always. I also had to put my PhD on hold, I chose to take more time for it. Because working, training and studying was too much. It was a choice.
And if it was easy, it wouldn’t be a challenge. I didn’t manage to cross the finish line at my first attempt at the full triathlon. And my PhD also isn’t finished. Was it worth the sacrifice? Certainly, but it was a sacrifice. At my second attempt I didn’t even made it to the start. Injuries. But when I am really honest, it is also because I didn’t make enough sacrifices. I wanted everything and that is not possible.
So the question is this; are the ones accepting a challenge really ready to commit? And are the ones offering a challenge also ready to accept that a challenge won’t be achieved? And perhaps the most critical question; do we need a challenge everywhere? Does it have to be at work? Does it necessarily have to be either in or outside of work? If you also have these questions for yourself, your employees or your organisation, we are happy to brainstorm with you
Currently I am training for my third attempt to finish a full triathlon. I am ready to make some sacrifices. Are you?