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Dear Quota Team
I actually feel a bit weird admitting this. I was going through a divorce last year. It was a very tough time, although it's all settled now and I've moved on. The funny thing is, I had my best year ever in sales. I closed $2.4M in new business when I usually do about $1.5M. I think I just channeled my anger and hurt into proving myself at work. Some days I barely slept, but would still crush my calls. My ex-wife kind of made me feel worthless and that I would never be successful so I feel like that really fired me up. Now that I'm in a better place personally, I can't seem to find that same intensity. How can I get that edge back without going through another crisis?
Healed in Location Withheld
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Dear Healed,
Your question touches on something many people have experienced but rarely discuss—how personal turmoil can fuel extraordinary performance (Chris Gardner of The Pursuit of Happyness fame is a classic example). During your divorce, you likely experienced intense emotions needing an outlet and a powerful drive to prove your resilience.
The key is understanding what really drove your success. It wasn't just working harder, or trying to prove yourself — crisis itself brings deep clarity and focus. Try developing specific pre-game rituals like athletes use, or create healthy pressure through public goals or accountability partners to get that fire back in your belly.
Sustainable success doesn't require personal trauma. Your peak performance isn't behind you—it's ahead of you, built on wisdom rather than wounds.