Have you reached your breaking point?

It happens. You get to a point when you just can’t take it anymore! Or do you? Have you gone on autopilot, going through the motions of everyday living, putting up with aches and pains, minor discomfort, and stress and anxiety as things you have to deal with as a part of life? Tolerating distress takes its toll on your body, mind and spirit. Reaching a breaking point is a serious matter.

Remember the commercial for the medical device with an elderly woman who exclaimed, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up?” In business and relationships, you may fall down – make a mistake – or get to a point when you realize that it’s no longer possible for you to accept the unacceptable. That’s OK. The important thing is not to get to your breaking point when you fall and can no longer stand on your own two feet.

“Breaking Pointe” just concluded its six-episode run on the CW network and I loved every minute of it. Probably because I’ve lived my adult life “behind-the-scenes” of professional dance companies. I really cared for the dancers because I understood what they were going through as they reached for perfection in every company class, during rehearsals, and, of course, on stage. I found myself gasping along with the theater audience when Rex Tilton fell during a performance. I felt so badly for him. And then my thoughts went to how I would feel if I had made such a mistake if an audience of 2,000 could see that I wasn’t perfect.

It was all put in perspective by the company’s artistic director, Adam Sklute. “Falling happens onstage,” he stated. “What’s important is how the dancer gets up.” Rex did continue his role on stage and danced beautifully. The artistic director was pleased and the audience showed its appreciation. Naturally, Rex was devastated when he came off the stage. I smiled, though, when I heard Sklute’s words. How true they are for dance and how appropriate they are in business and in life.

Think about it. Do you know people who make a mistake and then blame others? How do you feel about them and their actions? On the other hand, do you know people who take responsibility for their actions and therefore you want to reach out and support them? No one is perfect (not easy for me to accept). Mistakes happen. It’s the follow-up that matters.

Don’t let life’s disappointments get you down or push you to your breaking point. Most importantly, don’t listen to the negative voices in your head that tell you you’re “not good enough” because you are not perfect. Be the best you can be. Live your best life by nurturing your body, mind and spirit with healthy food and nourishing thoughts. Begin each and every day knowing that you have the power to make it a great day and believe it with every ounce of your being. I’m not suggesting this is easy, but the effort is well worth it. You may fall. Remember that what’s important is how you get up. Think of “Swing Time” and the charming music and lyrics by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields: “Nothing’s impossible I have found, For when my chin is on the ground, I pick myself up, Dust myself off, Start All over again.”

Next Steps:

• Strive to be your best, but don’t obsess about being perfect.
• Notice how you feel and react when you make a mistake, or when things don’t go exactly as planned.
• Remember to take a deep breath and “get up” respectfully and powerfully.
• Rinse and repeat. Make it a habit to be your best and be able to course correct when necessary.