As a professional, what are you struggling with? What
frustrates you? What disappoints you? What makes you feel inadequate? What are
you facing that you wish you didn’t have to deal with?

Whatever the situation, it holds a lesson for you that
you need to learn. In fact, it’s not uncommon that what you need to learn is a
requirement for you to be successful at the next level of your professional
career. Therefore, learn the lesson so you can move on.

But it’s not that simple. The more significant the
lesson, the more it takes its toll on you. The emotional anguish you experience
can be overwhelming to the point you are ready to give up. But if you do, you
won’t learn the lesson and you won’t make progress.

The lesson you need to learn takes you out of your
comfort zone. You have to think and behave differently. You have to face
yourself, others and situations in ways that you have been able to avoid, work
around or ignore over the years. But now it’s time to learn the lesson.

There is an ancient proverb that says it is darkest just
before dawn. When things are at their worst is when you are about to break
through. But if you choose a course of action to get out of a situation, you have
succumbed to the moment—the darkest moment. Without patience, you would have
missed the sun rise.

Remember, your career is not a sprint, but a marathon.
Take a breath. Talk with someone you trust. Get a grip and work through it, not
around it. Realize that until you face head on what is before you, you will
remain where you are. It’s your career. It’s your for your good.