Leadership Information


Embracing Adversity for Achievement


"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.


MORE RESOURCES:

Leadership group from CMCSS tours Smith School
Clarksville Leaf Chronicle
The hallways of Norman Smith Elementary School were filled with the adoring laughs of local community leaders as they toured the school, stopping to observe student projects and teachers and students interacting. During a half-day session, ...

and more »


Los Angeles Times

Republican tells Dem, GOP leadership to cool it on tax rhetoric
The Hill
Republican leaders accused Democrats of dragging their feet on a House-Senate conference committee, while Democrats shot back that the GOP wanted to kill the tax break to stifle an economic recovery that could give Obama another term.
Payroll Tax Cut Conference Committee on Brink of Failure, Needs LifelineFiredoglake

all 440 news articles »


Kansas City Star

New offensive coordinator has faith in Chiefs' leadership
Kansas City Star
“It's the leadership of the organization, from top to bottom,” he said. “I think they have a good plan. They're organized. They understand what they want to get accomplished. There's good people here.” You can't go more than a few words there without ...

and more »


Leadership Tampa leaders announced
Tbo.com
COM | Staff Leadership Tampa Alumni announced its 2012 Cabinet and Leadership Team at the organization's annual meeting, held recently at A La Carte Event Pavilion. The organization, with more than 550 active members who are graduates of Leadership ...

and more »


Pennsylvania House Leadership Foiled in Attempt to Ram Through Sweetheart Deal ...
MarketWatch (press release)
It's no wonder the leadership wanted to rush this through. "We urge the House members to consider their votes very carefully," said Jarrett. "This is not an issue -- or a vote -- that is likely to be ignored by the citizens when they cast their votes ...

and more »


Rising young leaders raise hope for the region's future
SouthCoastToday.com
All under the age of 40, the 2011 Top Young Professionals are a mix of entrepreneurs, business owners, finance and legal professionals, and nonprofit leaders in Southeastern Massachusetts who were nominated for the award from within the community.

and more »


Forbes

How Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter have Changed the ROI of Leadership
Forbes
Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter have changed the ROI on leadership and it's your responsibility to get in the game. Do you have something innovative to say? Do you trust yourself enough to share what is on your mind? The social media community out there ...

and more »


Time for New Leadership at Fannie and Freddie: Obama Should Side With ...
Huffington Post (blog)
Without the fierce advocacy by grassroots organizations and the leadership of state attorney generals such as Kamala Harris in California and Eric Schneiderman in New York, principal reduction would have been even more of an afterthought.

and more »


KLEW

House Bill Would Strip Leadership Roles for DUI, Drug Offenders
Twin Falls Times-News
Julie Ellsworth has a message to Idaho House leadership: Don't drink and drive. On Tuesday, the Boise Republican introduced legislation to the House State Affairs Committee that would add a House rule to strip representatives of leadership positions if ...
House panel introduces rule change to boot leaders who get DUIsThe Spokesman Review (blog)

all 5 news articles »


Telegraph.co.uk

North Korea Leader Kim Jong Un's Inner Circle Filled With Aging Military Advisors
Huffington Post
PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — Wherever North Korea's young new leader goes, they're there: a group of graying military and political officials who shadow Kim Jong Un as he visits army bases, attends concerts and tours schools.
Behind the military figures who advise North Korea's Kim Jong-unThe Australian

all 300 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2007