Does Self Destruction Lead to Greatness?

Does self destruction lead to greatness?

"At the edge of self destruction comes greatness"

I heard this quote from Will Smith on Oprah sometime this spring. When I did I was startled.

Did I really believe that people self destruct before great things happen?

Well it got me thinking and I started to wonder how this may apply to my life: hated my job in software – left to pursue my own business. Did I self destruct? Maybe. Well I did prolong the leap of faith with self doubt accompanied by many sleepless nights. I was coaching a client the other day striving to maintain multiple businesses. He was doing all he could to be hard on himself, losing sleep and unhappy, thinking that would bring him the results he wants. Self destructive maybe? Another client who has some time off during the summer is contemplating how to spend the time by feeling guilty about what she chooses. Self destruct yes? Another client was convincing herself through resistance to change that she loved her job, only to realize after a nice vacation she needed to mentally de-clutter on how to begin steps to a more fulfilling job. All of these are examples of how we could self destruct mentally before greatness appears.

Does self destruct lead to greatness? Do we change our lives when we feel bad enough to want better or follow a nagging desire? My theory is this: You do have to be in a place of craving more, not just wanting, exhausted of the mundane days, not just uncomfortable. Because feeling bad enough, accompanied by mental self destruct can lead to greatness. You have the feeling for a reason. It pushes us to the next level of our transformation –like going from a villain to superman or women; relieving us of our own mental prison.

If you find yourself self destructing in a way that feels bad, know it could be a sign of a great change right around the corner. You may not be familiar with the feeling but look for the greatness that will come with it. We are all deserving of whatever change is in front of us: recognize the self destruct and bring on the greatness. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how much knowledge you gain about a topic you may be struggling with. What matters is that you become aware of the self destruct, think about allowing the greatness and begin the plan of action to create the change and happiness you want.

Comment here: I would be interested in seeing what comments or real life stories that you think apply to this quote or blog.