At the age of 18, I was so much cooler than I could possibly be now. At least I thought I was. I was struggling with the decision to major in either Vocal Music Performance or Philosophy (Note – I ended up with Creative Writing and Classical Studies in Latin) and very involved in the student philosophical society on campus. As I noted, we were much cooler than anyone realized, sipping on far too much coffee and smoking way too many clove cigarettes, we sat around and talked about stuff and thought really deep thoughts.
One of my gems is something that has actually stuck with me eleven years after it’s inception. As we were discussing the importance of the conditioning of the human spirit I stated, “The back of a shampoo bottle is a great commentary on the importance of perseverance in life…lather, rinse, repeat.” Like any brilliant thinker, most of my best thoughts come either while driving or in the shower.
This shampoo bottle philosophy is more than just perseverance. As I noted, we were discussing the conditioning of the human spirit! I left the IV of coffee and clove cigarette’s behind with my Birks, braids and basement beers but took the philosophy with me. Surprisingly, as I have navigated through my 20’s I’ve learned that adversity is just another part of being a grown-up. It seems that for every one step you take forward you can get checked 2-3 steps back.
This seems to be what separates successful people from the mediocre. It’s like a toddler learning to walk. If they don’t continue getting up after they fall on their butt every couple steps they’ll never succeed. And whether they realize it or not, successful people adhere to the shampoo philosophy. When they get that uppercut to the chin they lather, rinse and repeat. It isn’t always about finding brand new ways to do things or having to innovate everything. Success is about the ability to work your way through all the suds, wash out the dirty stuff and possibly do it all over again if it didn’t work the first time.
Successful people seek out these situations and scenarios. They love the challenge, they thrive in the environment of adversity. Successful people have learned that lathering, rinsing and repeating until you find a result you are happy with is the best way to get everything you ever wanted.
As Susan (of TwentyorSomething) likes to say, "Keep on, Keepin on."
I like the shampoo analogy and definitely think it will resonate. Perseverance and resilience are definitely two admirable qualities, but as you alluded to you can't just keep beating your head against concrete either. You have to be intelligent enough to persevere in such a way that you find new ways to adapt, change, and grow.
Good thoughts Elisa!
When you first mentioned your shampoo bottle philosophy, I loved it right from the start.
I don't think I thought about it in terms of "successful people" who seek out the adverse, challenging and brand new situations. But of course–it shapes and molds them to true success. Great point!
PS. I also love how you described your life at 18-years 😉
My husband was a clove smoking philosophy talking kid, too! How funny. He constantly trys to make everything philosophical (and I'm so NOT "deep") and I'm like, Dude, you're giving me a headache. 😀
Love the lather, rinse, repeat insight. Especially that it isn't just about repeating, but to also "wash out the dirty stuff". Great post!
Ryan – Very good point (much more to the point than my analogy!) that beating your head against a wall never did anything for anyone but give them a headache! I think it’s important to note, though, that sometimes you do have to go back to the exact same starting point to get the result you want. You should learn the things that help you to adapt and change, though, to make sure that the result isn’t just a prescription for super-strength ibuprofen!
Grace – Ha! My life at 18-years was so great, I wish I had realized it more then. Eh, hindsight is always 20/20. I really do feel that adversity is what differentiates successful people from the mediocre. I see that even in my own field with people who are all given the exact same opportunity, tools and products. Some are mind-blowingly successful and yet others seem to remain stagnant if not moving backwards. The difference? Those who are successful, they face their challenges and difficulties head on, learning what things they can change and affect and what things they can’t. They lather, rinse and repeat their way to success. 🙂
Marie – That’s part of the reason I decided against the philosophy degree. Well, that and I wasn’t sure really what I could do with a philosophy degree (I know, so I studied Classical Studies in Latin!? I don’t get it either…) But all the really “deep thoughts” everyone kept pontificating on just hurt my brain. Plus, by the end of it I thought a few of them were just kinda full of it and liked hearing themselves talk. In truth, they weren’t saying anything too important. Thus I bring philosophy to the masses in much less headachy Elisa-speak! And I also agree…washing out the dirty stuff is most important to any process. I’m a two lather-rinser myself, silly thick wavy Italian hair!
Elisa-who would have thought that the directions on a shampoo bottle could actually impart wisdom?! But, you're right, they do. In addition to the message of perserverance, I think there's another lesson the shampoo bottle can teach us. Lather, rinse, repeat…it's something we do every day (or every other day), and it has become part of our routine. It's easy to get frustrated with the routine, but there are always going to be certain mundane things to get through before we get to the good stuff. Lather, rinse, repeat, might be routine, but it's worth it for your hair to be clean. Then you're ready to take on the day. Maybe it's a bit of a stretch, but regardless, loved this post!