Are You an Orange in a Bowl full of Lemons?

Have you ever felt like a big, juicy orange in a bowl full of lemons? If you are an innovator, a risk-taker, and an entrepreneur in your field, you probably know exactly what we're talking about. If you're willing to stick your neck out, go the extra mile, try something nobody's tried before, and dare to act like something new really can happen...odds are you're going to come smack up against the ridicule and scorn of your less-than-daring colleagues and peers. 

Although this is more true in some arenas than others (think any organization where the mantra is "But we've never done it that way before...") it happens everywhere, even in the most creative industries.

You'll get about 1.5 million hits if you Google i hate steve jobs, for example.

We feel your pain.

Not very often but every once in awhile at A Renewal Enterprise, even we find ourselves ruffling the feathers of colleagues and friends who are stuck in old paradigms and feel threatened by new ideas or a new approach. And each one of us on the team, in previous positions, has known the frustration and pain of being hated on - even just a little - by those who should naturally be our partners, playmates, and peers in the adventure of blazing new trails for the sake of a better world. In fact, that frustration and pain is in part what led to the formation of A Renewal Enterprise in the first place. 

Have a look at our faces. We all come from different places but we have this in common: We've all done time in organizations, corporations, schools, agencies, and even churches that sucked the life out of us. We know what it's like to give everything - and we mean everything - to a place we cared about only to feel sucker punched by processes and systems and rules that seemed designed to squash any ounce of creativity and passion we once had. A couple of us even know what it's like to get kicked to the curb when who we are, how we think, and what we offer became too much for the system to bear. 

And we know we're not alone. 

Our vision at A.R.E. is a world in which people are respected and honored as this planet's most precious natural resource; where they are set free to bring every ounce of creativity, passion, intelligence, and energy they have to making a difference at home, in their neighborhoods and faith communities, in their school and workplaces, and in the world. We don't pretend to have all the answers for how to get there. But we think we're asking the right kinds of questions. And we're doing what we can to help leaders in all kinds of other organizations ask them, too.

What are you doing to stir things up where you live, work, learn, worship, serve, and play?

If have any sort of answer to that question at all, it's likely that sooner or later you'll find yourself being hated on just a little bit, too. 

What's an innovator to do?!?

Here are four survival tips for all you trouble-makers out there:

• Stick close to the pack. In other words, find some other trouble-makers. Figure out a way to work with them, if you can. But, even if they're "competitors," make friends with them. Hang out with them as much as you're able. Feed off each other's energy. Spark each other's imagination. Challenge each other to keep dreaming, keep risking, keep believing. Play together. Even pray together, if you dare. Make a promise that you'll have each other's back.   

• Don't take it personally. Just try thinking of an innovator or a wildly successful entrepreneur who didn't take it on the chin once in awhile. You can't. It comes with the territory. It's not about you. Don't make the mistake of thinking that it is. Change is hard for people. And change-agents are scary. Nobody benefits if you let yourself become paranoid, resentful, or bitter. Besides, you don't have time for a pity-party. You've got innovatin' to do!    

• Learn to give thanks in all circumstances.  The early Christian leader, Paul, said this about 2000 years ago. He was a trail-blazer if there ever was one, bucking the religious and political authorities of his day to carry a radical message of love literally to the ends of the earth. And he was a serial entrepreneur in a way, too, starting up new faith communities in one town after another. But he took heat for it. Paul got beaten up, chased out of town, chastised by the establishment, thrown in prison, even abandoned by his friends. Yet this is the guy who said, "Give thanks in all circumstances." In other words, be ruthless about seeing the positive in every situation. Be thankful that you have an opportunity to do what matters. Focus on the good stuff that is happening to and through you. Frankly, if you weren't making a difference nobody would bother to give you flack! So be thankful when you're experiencing smooth sailing and be thankful when things suck, all ways, all times.  

• Keep your eye on the prize.  What is it that you're working so hard for? What do you really believe in? What gets you out of bed early in the morning and keeps you awake late at night? What dream are you chasing? Keep your eye on it. Like a tightrope walker crossing a mighty chasm, don't look down! Stay focused on the why of  what you do. Let it carry you forward to the other side.

Here's a toast to all the trouble-makers out there: The world needs you! 

May you live long and prosper.
  
  
  

Comments

[Jen Boyd]

Thank you - just what I need to hear as I continue to recover from some of those sucker punches!

[ConnieT]

Each of these survival tips are so important ... and so cool. And they balance one another. Any one of them, in excess, could daunt and damage vision if not kept in pace with the other three. Good stuff!

[ywilken]

Thanks I needed to hear this before my next board meeting on Tuesday night. I think I will put a bowl of lemons with one orange in it on the table during our meeting.

[Kelly Fryer]

you're welcome, jen...hang in there!

good reminder, connie...balance here is key.

great idea, ywilken...we may steal that idea the next time we need a little encouragement ourselves!!