Write a letter to yourself that tells the story of your life's crucible. Why was this experience so challenging for you? What resources did you use to get through the crucible? How did it change/shape your views about the world? What insights about who you are did you learn from this crucible? How has your crucible experience enabled you to discover your passion for making a difference in the world?
It is during the most difficult times of your life that you have the opportunity to confront who you are at the deepest level and realize what your life-and your leadership-are about. Longtime leaders speak of challenges as "crucibles", which are difficult times that can be triggered by events such as confronting a difficult situation at work, receiving critical feedback, losing your job, or a painful experience such as divorce, illness, or the death of a loved one. Crucibles force you to look at yourself, examine your character and your values in a new light, and figure out who you really are.