Food for thought
Here I share some of the songs, podcasts, books and poems that are inspiring me
We're all capable of much more than we think
I love the lyrics of this song, which is the theme music to Glennon Doyle's groundbreaking podcast "We Can Do Hard Things". Glennon's daughter Tish Melton wrote the lyrics. They're moving and inspiring, and the first and second verses resonate deeply.
We Can Do Hard Things by Tish Melton
"I walked through fire
I came out the other side
I chased desire
I made sure I got what's mine
And I continued to believe
That I'm the one for me
And because I'm mine, I walk the line
Cause we're adventurers and heartbreak's our map
A final destination we lack
We stopped asking directions
To places they've never been
And to be lovеd, we need to be known
We'll finally find our way back homе
And through the joy and pain, that our lives bring
We can do hard things
I hit rock bottom, it felt like a brand new start
I'm not the problem, sometimes things fall apart
And I continued to believe
The best people are free
And it took some time, but I'm finally fine
'Cause we're adventurers and heartbreak's our map
A final destination we lack
We stopped asking directions
To places they've never been
And to be loved, we need to be known
We'll finally find our way back home
And through the joy and pain, that our lives bring
We can do hard things
Now we can do hard things
Yeah, we can do hard things"
Listen to the full version here or wherever you get your music: We Can Do Hard Things by Tish Melton
You've heard of a support network, but what about a challenge network?
In his groundbreaking work, Adam Grant, psychologist and organisational behaviour professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, introduces the concept of a challenge network as a powerful complement to the traditional support network.
Unlike the latter, which primarily offers encouragement and affirmation, a challenge network is designed to provide constructive critique and thought-provoking feedback. This network consists of individuals who aren't afraid to question your assumptions, challenge your ideas, and push you beyond your comfort zone in pursuit of growth and excellence.
Embracing a challenge network means welcoming diverse perspectives and inviting constructive criticism, ultimately fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. As Adam Grant suggests, it's through these candid exchanges and healthy debates that true breakthroughs and transformative insights often emerge.
Listen to Adam reflect on his own challenge network, amongst many other fascinating topics (why we promote the wrong people to become leaders, how sibling order affects your IQ and attitude to risk, and who are the originals of our time?) in this interview with Steven Bartlett on the Diary of a CEO podcast. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts: DOAC with Adam Grant.
