|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who has overcome adversity." -- Lou Holtz
Success in life depends upon being strong people with clear goals and indomitable spirits. Unfortunately most of us aren't born that way. We grow that way. And that growth can either come from us entering willfully into situations that will cause us to grow, like subscribing to Made for Success, or from the way we react when circumstances come upon us without our consent. The latter is what we call adversity.
Most of us spend our lives trying to avoid adversity, and I guess that is just as well. We shouldn't pursue adversity, but when she arrives, we should welcome her as a foe who, though our interaction with her, will make us into better people. Every contact we have with adversity gives us again the opportunity to grow personally and professionally and to forge our character into one that will achieve much later on.
With that in mind, here are some thoughts on adversity, and how it can help you to succeed in every area of your life and achieve your dreams.
Adversity brings out our resources. Horace said "Adversity reveals genius, prosperity conceals it." When everything is going well, we coast. There isn't a lot of stress, and we don't have to draw too much on the resources that reside within us. But when adversity comes we begin to draw upon each and every resource that we have in order to conquer the circumstances at hand. Adversity then, keeps us sharp. It keeps us using our personal muscle, if you will. That is a good thing because we grow through the use of our resources.
Adversity brings us together with others. Sure a team can have their problems with each other, but when they step on the court, when they experience the adversity of facing another obstacle, they pull together. One for all and all for one, as they say. The next time you experience adversity of some kind, keep your eyes open for how it can bring you together with your family, your co-workers or your team. Then when you are through it, you will find a bond that was created that wasn't there before.
Adversity makes us better people with stronger characters. Never underestimate the power of adversity to shape us inwardly. How will courage, discipline and perseverance ever flourish if we are never tested? After adversity, we come out stronger people and able then to use our character and influence in an even greater way to lead those around us and to improve their lives as well as our own.
Adversity makes life interesting. John Amatt said, "Without adversity, without change, life is boring." How true. Have you noticed that while we are in the middle of adversity we only long to get out of it, but we then spend a lifetime recounting it to anyone who will listen? This is because it spices life up a little. Imagine how boring life would be if everything always went well, when there was never a mountain to be climbed.
Question - If you are in the middle of some adversity right now, what resources are you drawing on? Who are you drawing closer to and working with? What part of your character is being tested, and built up? What can you do to view this adversity as one who will be better for it on the other side?
Remember the words of Napoleon Hill - "Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit." Believe it, it is true!
About The Author:
Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.
To see Chris "live" at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on the subject of Secrets of Influence go to http://Chris-Widener.InspiresYOU.com/ or call 800-929-0434.
Wind Chimes and more... The ancient Greeks had a saying: "When Aschines speaks, the... Read More STEPS TO BECOMING A GOOD LEADER: 1. Develop a master... Read More "The only way to enjoy anything in this life, is... Read More Why didn't I get an Owner's ManualAfter a little while... Read More My grandfather used to speak of the days when people... Read More What you are about to read may be found in... Read More The assets of your business traditionally include property, plant, equipment,... Read More Recently I attended Cub Scout Leader Outdoor Experience training. This... Read More I hated Kyle Sisk*. A notorious bully, Kyle punctuated my... Read More Everyone knows that great leaders are made, not born. However... Read More ____________________________________________"There's only one thing more contagious than a good attitude... Read More LISTEN, WRITE, AND ARTICULATE EFFECTIVELY: Leadership positions require effective communication... Read More Lee (L.B.) Weiss (Sept. 21/25 ? April 30/82)My dad has... Read More The vast majority of leadership training available to managers focuses... Read More Which one is a goal? I will lose 15... Read More 1. Good Communicator. Extraordinary Leaders are those who can take... Read More "Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of... Read More The date was Saturday, April 11, 1970, the time 13:13... Read More Leadership is the foundation for all organizations, whether corporate, nonprofit... Read More A German silent film melodrama depicts an airship bombing London... Read More "How you think determines how you act. How you... Read More In today's fast moving, ever changing, and highly competitive world... Read More Did you know that people who lead strategically resemble fine-tuned... Read More We watch the star athlete calmly make the final shot,... Read More The Center for Management and Organization Effectiveness talks with Dennis... Read More
Windchimes
for great gifts!
In Leadership, The Eight Ways Of Right Action (Part 1)
Steps to Becoming a Good Leader
A Winning Choice for Leadership!
None of Us Arrived with an Owners Manual: A Fresh Perspective on the Drive to Lead (part 2)
Extraordinary People in Mediocre Times
7 Core Elements Of Your Vivid Vision!
The Top 10 Questions for Socially Responsible Leaders
Cub Scout Leader Outdoor Experience
Evil, Hostile Grumpy Listeners? Think Again
3 Aspects of Developing Leadership Skills
Develop a We Focus And Not a Me Focus
Effective Leaders are (#3) Communicative
Leadership Tips From My Dad
Leadership Training and Character
5 Steps on How to Set and Achieve Your Goals
Top Skills Of Extraordinary Leaders
Four Obstacles to Exceptional Leadership--Part 1
Leading In The Face Of Disaster
The Six Essential Leadership Attributes
Leadership Development and Jumping Out of Airships
People or Objects? - - You Decide
The Leadership Vacuum
10 Attributes of Effective Strategic Leaders!
Five Steps Towards Greater Self Confidence
Boy Scouts of America and Leadership Coaching
Have you ever considered that everything you want in life... Read More
In the Wall Street Journal, Franklin Lavin, U.S. Ambassabor to... Read More
Our studies of the most effective people in corporate America... Read More
In Part One, I described the importance of establishing deep,... Read More
Connect and Engage! Your People Are Your Power.It's been said... Read More
The Center for Management and Organization Effectiveness talks with Dennis... Read More
Within every business lies a network of people who are... Read More
Charlotte decides to do good. Charlotte is a highly motivated... Read More
What do you think makes your company successful? Your newest... Read More
Webster's defines leadership as : "1. the office of position... Read More
As a leader, you do nothing more important than get... Read More
You are a leader if someone is following you. This... Read More
Though out your career you may be asked to become... Read More
Have you noticed that across the business world people are... Read More
Have you ever wondered what type of person or personality... Read More
As a business owner, you are a leader whether you... Read More
Many people are interested in the characteristics of a great... Read More
"Forward, as occasion offers. Never look round to see whether... Read More
It is often much harder for women to get promoted... Read More
An organization of any size, from the family to the... Read More
The airline, Jet Blue, has been featured in many magazines... Read More
"Of every noble work the silent part is best, Of... Read More
When people make a decision (either consciously or unconsciously) to... Read More
Are your meetings generally a waste of time? Do you... Read More
1. The Law of Authoritarian StyleAuthoritarian leaders lead by control... Read More
Leadership |