Adversity and how you can turn it to your advantage
Is adversity an obstacle in your life? Your subconscious may be part of the problem. Adversity can prevent you from succeeding in business, relationships, career, and enjoying life itself.
There is no doubt that everyone encounters some type of adversity in their life. Some even face this condition very early in life or at a young age. However, failure to take action early on will only intensify the negativity. So what is the secret to virtually eliminating adversity in your life? This certainly deserves an answer that makes sense to anyone. And believe it or not, it starts with you.
If you think you’ve never faced adversity or ever will, I hate to burst your bubble. However, there is no human being or creature that has not been on the path of adversity or may be facing an adverse situation at this time.
Do you think the zebras that graze on the Serengeti plains in Africa don’t face adversity every day of their lives? It may not be adverse fortune, but it is stressful and continually a difficult challenge for them to stay alive. Adversity or “lions” taking advantage of them is what stands in their way. Even if a single zebra is one of the lucky ones to live their life in a zoo, instinctively, they are always wary and wonder where the next lion will come from. However, are they really more fortunate to live in a zoo or are they being cut off from everything else life has to offer? – Roaming the plains, exploring and expanding their territory, raising their young, learning survival skills so that future generations are more prepared? Do you hurt them instinctively and consciously?
While people are not generally hunted like the zebra, we face adversity in many sectors of our daily lives. At work, sometimes at home, from friends, acquaintances, partners, co-workers, bosses, and even in public places like restaurants and department stores. How you interpret, decipher, and subconsciously handle adversity when it comes your way determines how you move forward—or not.
While we all face adversity, there are some who seem to encounter more than others. For some, adversity starts at the bottom and then grows to immeasurable levels. Those entering the workforce for the first time can face enormous amounts of adversity. However, those who have trained their subconscious can handle anything thrown at them. Others will fall prey.
In one of my recent newsletters that I send out to my sales associates every week, I talked about how in life you need to “get it right.” And what I mean by that is stay focused on what you need to do to survive and thrive in life and career. Unless your name is Tarzan and you live in a shack and eat the fruit from the trees, you are part of modern society and civilization. And make no mistake, life is a challenge. However, depending on how you approach each day determines the level of adversity you absorb. I don’t think as a person we can completely eliminate or get rid of adversity, but 99% of it can be easily managed by teaching your subconscious how to react.
I believe that everyone has a plan to achieve success and avoid adverse situations. The life of a successful and accomplished person comprises the mindset he needs to continually move forward. You, too, can understand the necessary mindset that will take you to new heights. It is a combination of teaching your mind and subconscious to work together in harmony. For example, if you walk around every day saying to yourself “I can be the best salesperson in my company”, then you will always strive or fight to be the best, but in most cases you will never achieve it. Instead, tell yourself “I AM THE BEST SALESMAN MY COMPANY HAS.” Believe in yourself begins by programming your subconscious. And one of the best times to do it is right before bed. Tell yourself and repeat it several times what it is you want to achieve. What your subconscious sleeps will lead you to your beliefs. This may sound silly or rather a simple technique. But it works so effectively that you can even surprise yourself. Your mind also produces its best results when it rests on positive thoughts. So try this every night right before you go to bed. Only if you challenge yourself will you start to see results.
A successful person does certain things every day that bring him more and more success and wealth. You need to reveal your model so that you too can understand its failures and/or successes.
Have you ever wondered how certain people can prevail even in the worst situations? Is it constant faith and continuous motivation that makes them prosper? I think a little faith goes a long way and certainly getting motivated is a must. However, start by training your subconscious and you will get amazing results.
I also find it advantageous when you take a disappointment in your life and then use it to motivate yourself to a greater degree of success. Many “afraid” to embark on a new endeavor, a new career, or even a relationship simply because they fear failure. This is the only feature that prevents some from moving forward. Again, it’s something that starts with the subconscious. If you fell off your horse and are afraid to get back on, you will never be a good rider. Braving adversity and teaching your subconscious will keep you working hard to hone your driving skills no matter how many times you crash. That which could potentially bring your dreams to conviction is often drowned in the fear of failure. Fear is the worst enemy of all. However, taking a “leap” by faith and belief in yourself (by teaching your subconscious) is what will help you achieve your goals and even exceed them beyond expectations. Nothing in life comes without a little risk and some good old fashioned hard work. As long as you can overcome the fear and are willing to teach your mind.
Look at Henry Ford (Founder of Ford Automobiles). Although he was a chief engineer at Thomas Edison’s famous Edison Illuminating company, he did not have a formal mechanical engineering education. He grew up on a farm and became interested in mechanics at an early age by playing around and fixing things like people’s watches. He built his first steam engine at age 15. So how did he become so successful in such a short time? How did you overcome fears that he may have had due to a lack of education and skills? He first developed practical knowledge of basic mechanical operations such as clocks and steam engines. Personally, I self-taught things by just taking them apart and putting them back together. I also have a father who was mechanically inclined, so I gained knowledge just by watching him work on car engines, boilers, etc. For Ford, he had an idea and a vision to build on. He then he used a powerful tool in his hands. He believed in himself because he had the solution and his subconscious was prepared with a plan and the means to carry it out. People listened to him because he had a drive to succeed and everyone wanted to be a part of it. So he hired people with minimal skills and offered them high salaries to hone the concepts and make it work. He put people to work and paid them based on their beliefs of what the future held for the Company. The power of persuasion some call it. The complete history of Henry Ford is certainly one to learn from. Dale Carnegie also said it very eloquently in his books, which are a must read for anyone looking to succeed.
Another area that defies adversity is having passion and being passionate about what you do for a living or strive to be. For example, I feel very confident representing the services and solutions my companies provide. I firmly believe that the services I represent are unique in that they address the needs of all business owners. Such as the reduction of expenses and the improvement of the final results at the same time that quality of service is offered. Having a product and service that I am proud of and believe in allows me to maintain confidence, even when faced with opposition or adversity. I feel confident knowing that my clients will be greatly taken care of. In my opinion, it is vital to believe in what you are offering, selling or marketing. This projects belief that provides you with a great opportunity to prosper. When you have true convictions and develop your mindset, you set yourself up for amazing results.
Always keep your faith, be optimistic, believe in yourself and what you stand for and you will never regret a day. Be respectful of the time of others, have integrity, and manage your time effectively. Use your skills and be creative and challenge your fears. All of these are part of a daily ritual that successful people carry out every day of their lives. If adversity is around the corner, it’s time to stand up and make a change. Start each day with a set of realistic goals and stick with them. But stay within your limits, otherwise you will face more adversity.
Emerson, Ralph Waldo once said: “Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. No doubt some errors and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; start well.” . and serenely and in too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”
This quote represents a quality that one must acquire in order to determine their dreams. They must learn from any mistakes they may have made in the past and stand strong in what they believe in, regardless of the opposition. Many will easily give up in the face of adversity and never do anything about it. Even some who are given the tools to make changes. Because I truly believe that it’s how we pick ourselves up from the fall that largely dictates our success. Most importantly, never criticize another. Take this simple test and see if you can last. Starting tomorrow and for seven days, try not to criticize anyone or anything. This includes not speaking negatively about anything or anyone. See how far it goes, then send me a comment.
Lincoln once said, “Don’t criticize them, they are exactly what we would be under similar circumstances.”
