We all face adversity from time to time, but some of us are able to flourish when things get difficult, while others seem to struggle to get out of bed in the morning. Successful people have found a way to jump hurdles and navigate around roadblocks that would stop others completely.
How is it that some people can bounce back and find a way to overcome misfortune and defeat? For one, they don’t allow themselves to become overwhelmed with negative emotions or thoughts. They take time to process what they’ve been through, and then they resume moving forward. Their mental fortitude lifts them up to seek opportunities instead of dwelling in despair.
It might seem unthinkable to find anything funny when you’re struggling with one of life’s blows. But sometimes just stepping back and seeing the humor of the situation can help lighten your mood and allow you to move forward. You may not be chuckling in the midst of a major setback, but give yourself some time. Finding your sense of humor when facing adversity is a healthy way to build resilience, no matter how bad your situation.
What would your plan of action be if a crisis hit? Running through potential disasters on a regular basis builds mental strength and flexibility to overcome mishaps or catastrophes in real life. It doesn’t mean you should dwell on negative possibilities. But if the worst happens, having thought through how you’d react will keep you from panicking and help you stay calm and rational. It won’t feel so frightening because you won’t be caught completely off guard.
The hardships and misfortunes you’ve been through can give you confidence that you’re capable of handling whatever comes your way. You’ve been in tough times before. How did you overcome adversity at that time? What got yours through? Your past experiences can help you find your inner strength and resilience.
We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated. It may even be necessary to encounter the defeat so that we can know who we are. So that we can see, oh, that happened, and I rose. I did get knocked down flat in front of the whole world, and I rose. I didn’t run away — I rose right where I’d been knocked down. And then that’s how you get to know yourself.
Adversity is a great teacher. This is your chance to gain valuable insights; to truly learn from your mistakes so you’ll have a better chance of success next time. However, you will have to engage in some self-reflection. Where and how did things go wrong?
Take a hard look at your planning. Did you miss something key? Consider your preparations. Were you ready for the challenges ahead? Look at your execution. Did you put in a consistent effort? Focus on areas that are within your control and ask yourself what more can you do next time. Spend time processing what you could have done differently and take responsibility for your actions. Make peace with what happened. Accept the situation for what it is, and then move on.
Life is full of adversity and struggle. It’s through difficult times that we learn the most important lessons in life and build resilience. Adversity often presents opportunities we might otherwise miss. Now is your chance to dig deep and face this obstacle head-on.
Hard times present you with the chance to change course, reinvent yourself or find an undiscovered bridge that will get you over this hurdle. Every adversity has the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit. The true secret to success is the ability to embrace adversity as a chance to change ourselves and our situation.
Refuse to give up. To overcome a crisis, you need to fully commit to finding a way forward. You must approach the problem determined and motivated. This will create a mindset where you look at adversity as something to be overcome and solved, not passively accepted. Sometimes dilemmas and obstacles are a chance to create alternative paths, to dream bigger, to push forward, and take even larger leaps.