Tempering: a way to keep a sharp edge

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/07/2015 (3730 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

June is a month of many celebrations. More than 20 years ago, my husband said something very profound — that completing the elementary to secondary years of schooling is the longest investment a person will ever make to accomplish an academic goal.

This journey of more than 13 years is a long and remarkable one that requires a lot of tempering. The type of worker you are today, the type of spouse or partner you are and the citizen you are today — all were all shaped by a tempering process which began in kindergarten.  

Don’t believe me? Take a look at the comparison between the actual process of tempering steel and how it relates to your work and personal relationships:  

First, steel is heated to a super-high temperature to make it more durable. Leaving home at age five to be with other children and teachers at school is a way of making you more durable and flexible for later things to come. On your first day on the job you were probably a bit unsure of yourself but knew you could withstand the pressure because you showed that you can weather the storm of 13 years of change.

Second, the ore is quickly cooled by immersing it in water. This step lessens the hardness but increases the toughness of the metal so that it is able to resist stains and corrosion. This is junior high, when you will had to withstand the pressures of moving between the worlds of childhood and adulthood.

Think about your workplace and all the potential ‘stains and resulting corrosion’ you have to navigate. Do you think about what’s in it for you or what’s in the best interest of your team? This kind of attitude toward work requires tempering.

Third, the steel is once again heated to super high temperatures, which relieves any stress that might remain and makes the metal less brittle. The result is a product that is flexible, structurally tough and which can hold a sharp edge. This step is high school.

These last three or four years of the 13-year journey have a lot riding on them.  

Think about this final preparation phase and who you are as a worker. You are no longer looking for what a career can give you but are interested in a career that gives you the opportunity to create and build on the values and principles you hold dear.

This is why I encourage my clients to truly embrace and celebrate the challenges they face as they go through their work and personal journeys.

I remind them they are simply being tempered to become who they were meant to be.

Phyllis Reid-Jarvis is a dietitian and life coach. Contact her at living@ultimatepotentials.com