This certainly applied to athletics, but in all walks of live the biggest hurdle we all face is how we handle adversity. It is naive to think we can avoid it. So an absolute major key to success is what to do when faced with obstacles and setbacks. John Maxwell, in his book "Self Improvement 101" points to the fact that it is our attitude about problems. His theory, and one that you hear from all successul people is that we should fear adversity but to embrace it! Here is what Maxwell's reasons to embrace adversity and persevere through it:1. Adversity creates resilience.
• Nothing in life breeds resilience like adversity and failure.
2. Adversity develops maturity.
Adversity can make you better if you don’t let it make you bitter. Why? Because it promotes wisdom and maturity. American playwright William Saroyan spoke to this issue: “Good people are good because they’ve come to wisdom through failure. We get very little wisdom from success, you know.”
Adversity can make you better if you don’t let it make you bitter. Why? Because it promotes wisdom and maturity. American playwright William Saroyan spoke to this issue: “Good people are good because they’ve come to wisdom through failure. We get very little wisdom from success, you know.”
3. Adversity pushes the envelope of accepted performance.
Until a person learns from experience that he can live through adversity, he is reluctant to buck mindless tradition, push the envelope of organizational performance, or challenge himself to press his physical limits. Failure prompts a person to rethink the status quo.
Until a person learns from experience that he can live through adversity, he is reluctant to buck mindless tradition, push the envelope of organizational performance, or challenge himself to press his physical limits. Failure prompts a person to rethink the status quo.
4. Adversity provides greater opportunities.
I believe that eliminating problems limits our potential. For example, in 1978, Bernie Marcus, the son of a poor Russian cabinetmaker in Newark, New Jersey, was fired from Handy Dan, a do-it-yourself hardware retailer. That prompted Marcus to team with Arthur Blank to start their own business. In 1979, they opened their first store in Atlanta, Georgia. It was called The Home Depot. Today, The Home Depot has more than 760 stores employing more than 157,000 people, the business has expanded to include overseas operations, and each year the corporation does more than $30 billion in sales.
I believe that eliminating problems limits our potential. For example, in 1978, Bernie Marcus, the son of a poor Russian cabinetmaker in Newark, New Jersey, was fired from Handy Dan, a do-it-yourself hardware retailer. That prompted Marcus to team with Arthur Blank to start their own business. In 1979, they opened their first store in Atlanta, Georgia. It was called The Home Depot. Today, The Home Depot has more than 760 stores employing more than 157,000 people, the business has expanded to include overseas operations, and each year the corporation does more than $30 billion in sales.
5. Adversity prompts innovation.
The ability to innovate is at the heart of creativity—a vital component in success.
The ability to innovate is at the heart of creativity—a vital component in success.
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6. Adversity recaps unexpected benefits.
Horace Walpole said that “in science, mistakes always precede the truth.
Horace Walpole said that “in science, mistakes always precede the truth.
7. Adversity motivates.
Years ago, when Bear Bryant was coaching the University of Alabama’s football team, the Crimson Tide was ahead by only six points in a game with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Bryant sent his quarterback into the game with instruction to play it safe and run out the clock. In the huddle, the quarterback said, “Coach says to play it safe, but that’s what they’re expecting. Let’s give them a surprise.” And with that, he called a pass play.
Years ago, when Bear Bryant was coaching the University of Alabama’s football team, the Crimson Tide was ahead by only six points in a game with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Bryant sent his quarterback into the game with instruction to play it safe and run out the clock. In the huddle, the quarterback said, “Coach says to play it safe, but that’s what they’re expecting. Let’s give them a surprise.” And with that, he called a pass play.
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When the quarterback dropped back and threw the pass, the defending cornerback, who was a champion sprinter, intercepted the ball and headed toward the end zone, expecting to score a touchdown. The quarterback, who was not known as a good runner, took off after the cornerback and ran him down from behind, tackling him on the 5-yard line. His effort saved the game.
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After the clock ran out, the opposing coach approached Bear Bryant and said, “What’s this business about your quarterback not being a runner? He ran down my speedster from behind!”
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Bryant responded, “Your man was running for six points. My man was running for his life.”
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Nothing can motivate a person like adversity.
