Written by Arthur J. Rutledge, Executive Contributor
Arthur J. Rutledge is a mindset and leadership speaker, coach, and trainer. He helps people to beam with their dreams and how to put fire on their desires. Best selling Author of the new book "11 Pillars of Confidence" published by the L.A. Tribune. Also an entrepreneur and co-founder of Peoples Pride.
We can transform our defeats into something new and expansive by creatively thinking on the important aspects of our highest aspirations. By putting silence into both the harmony that’s created will bring clarity.
To be a transformational person you must be able to see the best in yourself. To be a transformative leader you must achieve seeing the best in others. The practice of transmuting the doubt/ fear energy is to come to the realization of our self-actualization. In other words, the growing stronger in harder moments while holding on to the knowledge of your worth; that’s being a transformative person.
I don’t know if you have heard of “The Transformers” before, but most people that were children raised from 1980 to now have. Two opposing forces in the battle for survival for one faction and supremacy for the other, even to the point of destruction of their home world. The antagonist, called the “Decepticons,” in the desire for power, basically destroyed their world, refusing reason and compassion while condoning egoism to twist the truth. The amiable “Autobots,” in their desire to hold onto a peaceful existence, split from the impending doom of the Decepticons who wanted to force their will on society. The only option was to leave and find a new place to inhabit. The coexistence on planet Earth gave them peace of mind and cover from their old world.
The Autobots represent heroism, values, integrity, trustworthiness, and imagination. In our society, we admire those who can manage their facilities during extreme situations. Extreme resolve can deflect disaster. In contrast, the Decepticons represent self-indulgence, dissatisfaction, despair, distort truths and deceive, thus their name. We face any of these ethical dilemmas; we are told by society that we are doing the things that need to be done ultimately making excuses for a lack in moral judgement, instead of finding solutions that are going to help us to get through our life’s moral dilemma. The road between the two sides of where we can be in our personal, professional, and social realms of thinking is learning how to go from negative to positive intentions. The practice of being aware of tendencies that can drag us down a bad path gets to be traded into the characteristics that make up how we change for the better. Understand that we are born neither Autobot nor Decepticon, but as we get older, it becomes Decepticon vs Autobot. If you are feeling in a Decepticon state of mind, transmute or transfer the attributes that makeup being an Autobot with practice and loving patience.
We can become trapped in our frustration at times when we need to make the best out of uncertain situations. The circumstances that we allow ourselves to encounter by way of misplaced emotions can put us in a tailspin. Have you heard the expression “fiction imitates reality,” so follow my lead. There are two sides to our psyche that are very similar to the Autobots and the Decepticons.
“The best start in any endeavor is being intentional with a correct attitude. It will support the Actions that speak volumes and is triumphant over the whispers of fear.” – My book ‘11 Pillars of Confidence.’
We often hide to the point of comfort from reality. The first time I thought of how I had to face my own frustrations, I remembered all the things that brought me to a place where I could appreciate what good things came from me. We can deceive ourselves into thinking we are facing our negative voices. We get to practice replacing those negative voices with positive voices and adhere to those positive voices 10x as much as the voices that don’t serve in being the best version of self. That’s when we become an Autobot, sage, samurai, and transformative leader. Synergy and synchronicity come into your life. If you are always amiable to the things you are facing, you can always create a golden lining; I call this battle between our fears and our aspirations shadowboxing. Some people may call this shadow work, but I feel that when you are boxing with something sometimes bigger than you can imagine, it's good to be realistic with whom you are truly boxing. When we take our frustrations out in a healthy way, our match is won sooner. When we are having a bout with unrealistic intentions, our match takes longer than we intended. Similar to the good and bad angel on either shoulder that’s been depicted in cartoons whispering words of nutrition on one side and malnutrition on the other. The one that wins is the one that is inherited the most. The great thing for us is that we are neither a transformer robot in our despair nor a robot surviving through plights outside of our control. We are made strong by being real to the facts in front of us and imaginative enough to get through the worst things by changing for the better and growing for the better. Practice keeping it simple. Practice facing the problem and knowing them for what they are. Truth brings clarity and forms inspiration.
“Out of the clutter, find simplicity. From the discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein
Whether it’s due to our society or our circles, trustees or travels, religious understandings, or revolutionary ideals, we have learned the worst and the best about ourselves over time. So, the question is, are we happy with how we deal with our frustrations? Are we intentionally working to put our best foot forward and keeping our steps in motion, feeling stronger with every step?
What are some things that change frustration into determination?
5 thoughts to bring your dull to shine in no time
1. Intentionality is golden
This powerful word, intentionality, gives you steam to the things that you value so your focus doesn’t turn into a glance. Eyes on the prize, success is eminent. What this means is to keep a constructive attitude about things that are urgent and to be acted upon daily. It’s been said that where focus goes, energy flows. Always be ready to swap a growl for a smile, that’s what transmutation of energy can be for you. Believe in whatever you want to accomplish with a good attitude and high vibration.
2. You have to choose, even if it’s a risk
It’s inevitable. Whether you are running a business, work leading a team, or even disenchanted as an employee, you must choose the next steps for your life. Whatever you decide, risk is inevitable; it’s part of life’s design. There’s no hiding in life. So, let’s make life happen right now. Procrastination or any inaction makes life boring. The actions to improve ourselves take the same amount of energy as it does to stay in frustration. Remember what Einstein said: Find the middle ground to find opportunity, and stay clear as you continue to level up your emotional intelligence.
3. Preparation is everything
Being thoroughly prepared is the key. The process of channeling anything you feel most lucid about can only be attained by cultivating focus, drive, and determination. Using kind words as a practice to yourself is one of the ways to promote healthy intentions to yourself and others. By harnessing earnest intentions for the best of your life, you can ascend in any aspect of your life. Self-respect comes from conscientious effort and well-doing. It also builds intuition to step into the things that whisper to your heart. Remember, when heeded, listening to your heart can always be your biggest inspiration.
4. You have to make sacrifices
You must forgo immediate desires for long-term goals. Stretching yourself should never be overwhelming to yourself even though it takes leaving a comfortable situation for one that’s uncomfortable; unsatisfying jobs, stagnate/toxic relationships, unmet dreams, and unfilled fitness goals to mention a few. When you feel like you have made a sacrifice that’s in your best interest you are halfway there. Likewise, if you have a feeling it wasn’t in your best interest, reflect on how you could have made it better. In the end either the lesson is there or keep it moving. You have plenty of time in life to feel dissatisfied about what you could or would have been done differently. Stay in hope, don’t mope. The best in life assure their wins by developing a strong mindset by gaining tolerance and will power through that which is unpleasant and unplanned.
5. You must lead by example
Effective leadership involves setting a positive example. Nothing is better than the sensibility of sharing. Generosity leads to trust; trust opens hearts and doors. Not to mention, when we’re giving service or empathy to enhance one another, we excel in the marathon we all partake in, which is called being humane. If you switch those two words around, you find humane beings. When I am not feeling at my happiest, I can always fall back on the satisfaction of what I have done to make somebody’s day better, which, in turn, brings me out of a storm, fog, or funk. To accelerate our emotional intelligence so as not to get slowed down, sidetracked, or distracted in the pursuit of happiness, start now with mastering your frustrations.
“That hurt we embrace becomes joy. Call it to your arms where it can change.” – Rumi
Finally, our best life starts with controlling our temperament. Be attentive and receptive versus reactive. We rise when we are not weighed down, so drop past baggage and be open-minded to step into a symbolic gesture of peace of mind to act on self-love and solutions. That’s what inspires me. Now it’s your turn. Shine on!
Read more from Arthur J. Rutledge
Arthur J. Rutledge, Author/mindset and leadership speaker/coach
Arthur J. Rutledge is a thought leader with an unwavering mission to enhance, cultivate, and empower over a million leaders to fulfill their pure potential in life. Starting from a young age, his love for people became fundamental and sparked his passion for giving back by supporting people in their personal growth. 2024 marked the fruition of that endured vision with the new book " 11 Pillars of Confidence, build and Lead an Empowered You." He is also an entrepreneur, owner of Kap Group Events NYC, and co-founder of the online store Peoples Pride. His abetment in life is to continue helping people to reinvent and reinforce the vertical mindset, the words he is known to say as an encouragement to all, "Shine on!"
