Awareness – The Power of Seeing It for What It Is

For two years, I worked with a guy who wanted to buy my wallscape in Downtown Detroit. Two long years of ups, downs, and frustration that tested every bit of patience I had.

Have you ever wanted something so bad that you put up with more crap than you should? That was me. I told my wife more than once that dealing with him brought out the worst in me. He made me angry, frustrated, and tired. Deep down, I knew I needed to walk away. But I didn’t.

I stayed because I wanted the deal to happen. I needed it to happen. I didn’t have any other offers, and I didn’t have retirement saved. Years of rebuilding my life after addiction left me starting over. Selling this wallscape wasn’t about getting rich. It was about creating some stability for the future. I kept telling myself to trust the process, but fear had a tight hold on me.

There was another layer too. My gut told me he wasn’t the right fit for the property owner, and that mattered to me. She’s been fair and honest with me since day one, and she earns a percentage of every dollar that wallscape brings in. I didn’t want to see her lose out. But I stayed in it because he was the only one showing interest, and I didn’t want to start over.

Then one day, awareness hit me straight between the eyes. I had to get honest about why I was still taking his calls. I realized I wasn’t staying because I believed it was the right deal. I was staying because I was afraid to let go of the only option in front of me.

So I stopped forcing it. I stopped trying to control the timing or the outcome. I decided if this deal was meant to happen, it would, and if not, something better would. The minute I let go of that grip, I felt lighter.

And wouldn’t you know it, another billboard owner called out of nowhere. He was interested in the wallscape. We talked, and within a short time, we had a solid deal on the table.

Out of fairness, I called the first guy. I laid it out and told him exactly what it would take if he still wanted it. Truth is, I already knew I wasn’t going with him. But after two years of back-and-forth, I didn’t want to just blindside him. I wanted to end it with integrity.

He came back with a better offer, but it didn’t move me. The money didn’t matter anymore. I chose the second guy because he was the right fit. The kind of person who follows through. His words match his actions. I know the property owner will continue to make money, and that gives me peace.

That’s Growth, being honest about my motives instead of pretending I had it all together.
That’s Resilience, not letting frustration pull me out of character.
That’s Integrity, choosing to close something with honesty, not ego.
That’s Tenacity, staying with it long enough to see how the lesson was unfolding.

I don’t get this life thing right all the time. Most of us don’t. But awareness helps me see myself before I spin out trying to control what isn’t mine to control. It brings me back to center.

Reflection: What situation in your life are you holding onto just because you’re afraid to let go?

If the outcome is costing you your peace, it’s not the right deal. Let awareness lead your next step — start the free 5-Day GRIT Challenge today.