Did you wake up this morning feeling frustrated, depressed or overwhelmed by adversity? If you did, then you are not alone.
Abraham Lincoln, the American president who served during a civil war, struggled with depression his entire life, and his secret to pushing through a difficult task was simply saying no to hopelessness. In fact, "this too shall pass" was Lincoln's favorite (and famous!) saying.
Adversity is everywhere and it is always knocking on our doors. However, the best predictor of success is when we can muster resilience, grit and perseverance to fail and get back up again.
Lessons From Edison:
When I wake up feeling like all four tires are flat, I remind myself of Thomas Edison.
In 1878, Edison wasn't the only person experimenting with incandescent lights. However, he was the ONLY one willing to test 6,000 different filaments. It was that steady drumbeat of discipline and patience that served him well 36 years later.
In December 10, 1914, a massive explosion wiped out 10 of Edison's buildings. Due to all the chemicals, the fire raged so hot that eight fire departments arrived on the scene, just to watch them burn.
According to a 1961 Reader's Digest article by Edison's son Charles, Edison calmly walked over to him as he watched the fire destroy his dad's work. In a childlike voice, Edison told his 24-year-old son, "Go get your mother and all her friends. They'll never see a fire like this again." When Charles objected, Edison said, "It's all right. We've just got rid of a lot of rubbish."
The next day, Edison told a reporter from The New York Times, "Although I am over 67 years old, I'll start all over again tomorrow." Sure enough, after a good night's rest, he came back the next day and began rebuilding—without firing any of his employees.
Quitting Is Not an Option
Perseverance is the long game.
Obstacles are everywhere and common to everyone.
Today you may feel frustrated, overwhelmed and discouraged, but know this... you're not alone.
Most people give up right when they are seconds from crossing the finish line.
Quitting is not an option.
If yesterday was a bad day, then make today a good day.
Andy Grove, former CEO of Intel, once said something interesting, "Bad companies are destroyed by a crisis. Good companies survive them. Great companies are improved by them."
You can as well become great by using your obstacles to improve your life.
Obstacles are ever present. Know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
