Your Greatness Comes from Adversity

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair. We had everything before us, we had nothing before us.” Opening Paragraph of ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ by Charles Dickens.

Though he wrote this more than 160 years ago, Dickens could have been speaking about today, couldn’t he? We’ve been through the strangest and hardest economic period in living memory ─ more so, even, than the financial crisis of 2008/9. It’s been a real crisis, hasn’t it? But, while some companies have faded away, others have climbed to new heights. Why?

Sir Winston Churchill once famously said, “Don’t let a good crisis go to waste.” His point? There is opportunity in adversity. The question is, how do you take advantage of a crisis? 

I firmly believe that success is delivered by cultivating a growth mindset. Instead of asking, “What is going wrong?” start asking, “What is going well?” When you do this, you will discover opportunity in adversity.

How to keep a growth mindset when all around you are losing theirs

Your brain is a muscle. You must keep exercising it to be the best version of yourself. With this mindset, you are more likely to be resilient to criticism and setbacks because you know that you can learn from your mistakes. 

Positivity is key. So, you must train your brain to develop a positive mindset. A way of thinking that takes you outside of the mainstream train of thought that is doom and gloom. 

If you are struggling with maintaining a growth mindset when all around you are losing theirs, here are some helpful tips:

1. Be grateful

There is a lot of negativity and anger in the world today. A lot of people are feeling hopeless and helpless, but we can change that! One of the most important things we can do is to be grateful for what we have. Be grateful for the people in your life, be grateful for your health, be grateful for your home, be grateful for your career and your business. When you stop to think about all the things you are fortunate to have at this moment, you can understand how truly blessed you are.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask for support 

Today, many people are struggling to achieve their goals. They might feel like they’re missing something, or that life is out of balance. It’s important to remember that not everyone has the same talents or resources at their disposal. If you find yourself in a difficult situation and need help, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance.

You see, the realization that you need help is not a weakness. There is no merit in struggling with challenges, not when so much help is available to you. So, advocate for yourself, ask for help and create solutions.

3. Focus on the process and embrace it 

Every New Year, a lot of people set goals for themselves. Maybe they want to lose weight, learn a new language, or save for retirement. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the goal and rush toward the finish line rather than learning what works for you and what doesn’t. This doesn’t help you accomplish your goals. Instead, immerse yourself in what you are doing. If you do it well, then you will achieve your goals.

4. Learn as much as you can

When most people think about success, they think about winning. Yes, winning feels good, but there is something more important than winning. This something is what you learn from losing. In times of adversity, it can be difficult to know what to do or where to go next. Losing can be a blessing in disguise because it forces you to re-evaluate your current situation and helps you decide on new strategic approaches to the challenges you face.

Knowledge is power ─ and the more knowledgeable you are the more likely you are to make good business decisions whatever the circumstances.

5. Stick to your purpose to remain focused through tough times

All of us will go through difficult periods. It is very easy to lose your focus and get discouraged when things go wrong. However, it is important that we stay focused and remain persistent in the pursuit of our goals. When you think about it, anything worth having in life will require work and perseverance.

Once you have a vision and a purpose to move on, don’t let go. Keeping your mind on your purpose will keep you focused no matter how many setbacks you have on the way. And when you stay focused on what you want to achieve, it becomes easier to see the bigger picture and continue with your work or task at hand.

6. Forget about expectations to remove the pressure, emotion, and fear

People don’t need to measure themselves by another person’s standards. They should forget about expectations and accept themselves for who they are instead. We all have our own way of living life and making decisions, so why should we compare ourselves to others? 

The emotional pressure that you cause yourself by trying to live up to the expectations of others is unnecessary. It creates anxiety and frustration, and a fear of failure that inhibits your chances of success. Work hard, and keep going.

7. Stay confident

When you are performing at your best, it is easy to be confident. But when things get tough, confidence does not come so easily. It is important to find your inner strength and use your talent to keep pushing forward.

In moments of doubt, reflect on your strengths and abilities. You’re capable. You’re strong. Leverage all you have ─ you will get through. Keep your head up, for greatness is around the corner.

8. Take action to get through tough times and create your own opportunity from adversity

We all have our share of difficulties that we go through, whether it be a tough day at work or a personal issue. It is natural to get frustrated and feel like giving up, but you should never let your circumstances dictate your future.

You see, success will not be handed to you on a silver platter. You must work hard to make it happen. Opportunities can happen at any time, and you need to be ready for them. Remember, you are responsible for realizing opportunity in adversity. Put your nose to the grindstone and make your success happen.

Greatness comes from adversity

Everyone goes through hard times in their life. But it is what you do with those tough times that makes the difference. One of the keys to success is not waiting for it to happen but taking action and making it happen.

If you want to take control of your own destiny and make your dreams a reality, following these tips will help you achieve greatness from adversity. Remember, it is your growth mindset that determines your success. 

It is in your power to transform the worst of times into the best of times, for you and your business.

Play the game with wisdom. Believe in yourself, and see the light at the end of the tunnel. Create your spring of hope in the winter of despair. Do these things, and you will have everything before you.

Are you finding it difficult to cope with tough times? To discover more about developing and maintaining the growth mindset that will transform your vision into reality, book me for a consultation.

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