JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
As I debated hitting the snooze button the other day at 5:15 a.m., I began to ponder if it was it really necessary to get up and go for an early morning run. I quickly decided to get out of bed, versus rolling over, and got up and ran. While running around the track, I started to ponder the concept of good pain.
Pain is one of those things that does not feel good to us at the time, but is good for us down the line. If you go to the fitness center and watch people who are improving their muscle mass, while decreasing their fat content, you quickly realize that hard work and dedication contribute to those results. Good pain is something these weight lifters are willing to endure to improve their health.
In our professions and personal lives, we have many opportunities to engage in good pain. Just like a training regime, investment of time in helping others can yield beneficial results. As good wingmen, do we take the time up front to ensure that new teammates are properly greeted upon arrival? Maybe a note from their leadership, along with a few snacks in their room would help them know we are happy they are here. It may require a little more effort up front, but what a great way to embrace a new person and their family.
Sometimes we may have to invest some extra time and attention to training, yet when we see a decrease in accidents, along with an increase in effectiveness, it is worth the additional effort up front. Good pain by definition may not be pleasant in the beginning, but in the end it yields great results. My question is - what are you willing to invest good pain toward? By the way, the track is pretty empty around 5:15 a.m., so if anyone wants to join me in some good pain, there's always room.