Limitless Monday: Real Urgency In Showing A Person’s True Colors

Limitless Monday – The urgency in exposing true colors

It has been said that a person shows their true colors when the proverbial shit hits the fan. When life becomes challenging. You rarely see the true side of someone when everything is rosy.

I have also heard it said that a person’s true colors are revealed when no one is watching. Even more interesting, when a person’s selfish want is fulfilled, and you are no longer required to serve them.

In prison we would often talk about a honeymoon period when a new prisoner entered the dorm. This is the period of good behavior that an inmate displays as they attempt to make a positive first impression. The honeymoon period was usually over after a month, and they would resort to their usual antisocial, violent ways. Thankfully, there were exceptions.

In relationships or work environments, the honeymoon period can endure between three to six months. But this is only a rough guide. In order to see someone’s true colors, you must witness that person under pressure: how will they react when the cards are stacked against them?

Here is an analogy. I used to box. Often you would see a talented fighter who after a bit of asking around you would discover had a reputation for crumbling under pressure. The first two or three rounds of your fight with this individual, you begin to wonder if these rumors are some sort of sick joke as the talented fighter gives you a thorough working over. But then, assuming you haven’t crumpled, your opponent begins to tire, you begin to exert pressure, and before you know it he is stepping back rather than forward, taking more punishment, and true to character and reputation he crumbles into a heap. It’s the same way with many people once exposed to pressure.

Exert some pressure and you either see someone who rises to the occasion and displays leadership, drive, positivity, and inspiration, or someone who starts blaming others, insulting everyone around them, and ultimately gives up.

I always find it interesting to see how people react when the heat has been turned up. Will they crack like an egg, or will they rise to the occasion like an eagle?

In life we are all subject to pressure. Life comes down to how we handle it. One of the biggest shocks to the body and mind is being arrested and entering the prison system for the first time. The question you should ask yourself is, if this happened to me would I simply survive or thrive? We will all survive that unpleasant experience, that’s the easy part. Thriving is what separates the men from the boys, the winners from the losers. Surviving in life is easy, it’s thriving we must all strive for.

When your finances are at a breaking point, your relationship is in the toilet, and you just missed your flight connection, that is when you show what you are made of.

The person who starts apportioning blame, exclaims, ‘if only we did this’ or ‘I told you we should have done that’ are the ones you must cut out of your life or at least, minimize their role. They are not the people you want in your business, workplace, or your life.

Now, if that person describes you, then you have some work to do. Start by taking responsibility for your own actions. That person who thrives in prison accepted responsibility for his actions that landed him there. He accepted his fate. But he or she has a plan and, you guessed it, a purpose.

If you are the person who thrives under pressure and inspires others when circumstances seem to be going badly, then there will be a brawl to get you onto their team. You have the world at your feet my friend.

Today, be sensitive to how others act under pressure, be aware of the honeymoon period, maintain your guard, and withhold your trust until you have seen their true colors. You won’t need to wait long. If that person thrives you have found someone worth keeping very close. They are a rare breed. Cherish them.

Happy Monday!

Banner Image: Friendship. Image Credit – Pexels