Standing Strong: Lessons from the Rock of Gibraltar
Have you ever had an experience on a foreign travel journey that not only brought back memories from the past but also triggered analogies and metaphors to current times? That happened to me recently when I had the pleasure of visiting the Rock of Gibraltar.
The phrase "Rock of Gibraltar" is most commonly used as a metaphor, simile, and idiom to describe absolute strength, unwavering stability, permanence, and ultimate reliability. "Solid as the Rock of Gibraltar" describes people, relationships, or physical structures that are completely unbreakable, resilient, and immune to failure or collapse.
I remember my Dad, who served in WWII, always making reference to this place when I would mention being challenged with situations. The Rock of Gibraltar was a critical Allied stronghold because it controlled the narrow sea gate between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. I can clearly remember him saying to me, "Mary Ann, you need to be like the Rock of Gibraltar and stay strong. You will get through this and, in the process, learn and grow."
As a Recruiter for many years and currently dealing with the challenges of the New Work World, including talent shortages, salary restraints, tariffs, post-COVID demands for in-office requirements as opposed to working remotely, etc., let's investigate how the "Rock of Gibraltar" symbolism may be instrumental in helping us stay strong and achieve our goals, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges in the workplace.
Using the Faremouth Method, let's investigate how the symbolism of the Rock of Gibraltar may be useful to all of us in our personal and professional endeavors.
1. Do a Self-Inventory
If you did a self-inventory of your personal and professional endeavors at this time, how could the "Rock of Gibraltar" symbolism assist you in creating your best self and moving forward in your life? Where are you feeling "at war" with yourself these days? Are you feeling stuck in a job that doesn't fulfill you? Are you feeling your personal relationships are not allowing you to grow and really enhance your current situation?
Are you open to taking the necessary online classes or going back to school to become more eligible for that next job that will be more fulfilling? Do you need to join groups like Toastmasters, Rotary, or other networking groups that will align you with people who will help you become your best self? What about volunteering with a nonprofit to assist others in their journey? Sometimes helping others is the best way for us to feel useful, help ourselves grow, and expand our network!
Like the Rock of Gibraltar, a strong foundation starts with knowing what you are made of. A self-inventory can help you identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and areas where you may need to become stronger.
2. Ask Better Questions
What if you asked yourself at this point in your life what you really would like to do to have a better quality of life? Are the risks of failing holding you back? What kinds of arrangements would you need to make to venture into a new hobby or class that would allow you to have more joy in your life? What is out there that you really want to do but have not done yet?
Could asking for assistance, such as therapy or online training, be something that would enhance the quality of your life? And ask yourself, what is the worst that could happen? If you tried something new in a careful and pragmatic way and it doesn't work out, wouldn't you feel like you did succeed because you took the chance to try?
The Rock of Gibraltar has stood through centuries of changing circumstances. Asking better questions can help us determine what needs to remain solid in our lives and what may need to change. Sometimes the strongest thing we can do is stop, ask the right questions, and determine our next move.
3. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
What can you do that might be uncomfortable at first but might be worth the risk? I'm suggesting you take calculated risks, etc., and not be totally reckless in the process, etc., but sometimes stepping out of our comfort zone can be an exercise in growth that we really benefit from.
As so many self-help gurus have mentioned in the past, we can't be afraid to risk and we should not be afraid to try. If you are feeling stuck, you owe it to yourself to go on a new journey. What you find along the way might surprise you.
Even the Rock of Gibraltar represents more than simply standing still. It has endured weather, change, conflict, and the passage of time. In the New Work World, being strong does not mean refusing to change. It means having a strong enough foundation to adapt when change comes your way.
4. Take Your Time and Do It Right
If you need to seek out the counsel of a professional or career consultant to check market conditions, etc., make sure you do that. Don't jump or rush into something without really investigating current market conditions and the risks that come along with making a change. Do your homework and look at all the possible outcomes and consequences before you make a big change.
The Rock of Gibraltar reminds us that lasting strength is not built overnight. When making an important career or professional decision, take the time to build a solid foundation. Gather information, seek counsel, understand the environment around you, and make decisions that can withstand the test of time.
5. Be a Hunter
Coming from a background of family hunters, to get that "trophy job," you might need to hunt for the different possibilities and consequences before you pull that metaphorical trigger.
There may be possibilities at your current company to get promoted, etc. What if you investigated what more you could do in your current job to get that next promotion? What if you talked with your supervisor about more cross-training or being available to train others? It might mean spending an extra hour on your job, but often going above and beyond in your current job may pay big dividends.
Just as the Rock of Gibraltar has historically been strategically important because of its location, we need to understand where our opportunities are and be strategic about pursuing them. Being a hunter doesn't mean rushing after the first opportunity you see. It means being observant, doing your homework, and knowing when the right opportunity is worth pursuing.
Let's all be committed to being our own "Rock of Gibraltar" and staying strong and true to who we are.
One of the things I noticed when I visited the Rock of Gibraltar recently were all the monkeys on this big rock. As the symbol of the monkey might suggest play and joy and to stay lighthearted, etc., It's no "monkey business" to be successful in the New Work World!
Be your own Rock, stay strong, and be determined to be completely unbreakable in the New Work World.
This trip reinforced the wise counsel of my Dad to be like the "Rock of Gibraltar" in all my personal and professional endeavors!
