Do you know how to overcome adversity? Adversity is part of life, and overcoming difficult times is crucial to our well-being. Overcoming Adversity is really about turning adverse events into positive experiences. Every single person on our planet has fallen into hard times. When you are in a difficult situation, staring in the face of Adversity, you need to dive deep into your inner strength and as yourself, “Are these negative thoughts and negative emotions helpful to the situation at hand?” Frequently, an answer is more straightforward than you are projecting it to be. If your current situation is a worst-case scenario, you may need to seek help from others and reframe as much of the situation as possible. Walt Disney may have said it best when he said, “All the Adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” He is right. When you reflect on your childhood, how many times did you fall before you could ride your bike? You needed to hit the pavement a couple of times before you had the know-how to let go and let gravity and perpetual motion be your guide.
Here are three habits to guide you through adverse situations:
1. See it as an opportunity.
Seeing adversity as an opportunity is easier said than done and is the first step in successfully learning how to overcome adversity. Seeing the bright side of tough times can be challenging, like losing your house in a natural disaster. Not many people would consider a natural disaster to be a roadblock, not an opportunity. If you find yourself immersed in the stress and negative emotions surrounding the chaos of a disaster, there is only one way out: a positive mindset. It can be challenging to see the blessing of getting fired from your job, flunking out of college, or dealing with an unexpected divorce. To see it as an opportunity, you must ask yourself, “What is the benefit of this setback?” Keep asking that question until you find it. You have to become vigilant about positive self-talk. If your mind veers into a negative path, redirect it into a more positive way. It would help if you began to perceive these situations as an opportunity, or they will defeat you. Your mental health depends on your ability to refocus your state of mind and realize that bad things happen. As Thucydides said, “Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and self-respect is the chief element in courage.” You see, It’s not a matter of if adversity strikes; the question is when.
2. Make a resolve to rise up & conquer it.
Friedrich Nietzsche said, “That which does not destroy me makes me stronger.” Metaphorically, you have to put on your battle gear, war paint, or game face. You’ve got to roll up your sleeves and get to work. Sitting around pouting will only make things worse. You’ve got to muster up the time, the energy, and the commitment to make the situation work in your favor and focus on your personal development through this situation. There’s no better way to learn how to overcome adversity than rolling up your sleeves and facing it head-on. Successful people didn’t succeed because they whined about their shortcomings and dire situations. Instead, they harnessed their self-confidence and a positive attitude and plunged forward. Often, the most amazing motivational speakers are the ones that sunk many levels below what an average person would consider rock bottom. When you sit in the presence of a talented motivational speaker, you cannot help but be inspired by their personal growth, and the growth mindset becomes contagious. Robert Paylor is an incredible example of triumph over adversity. Robert was a rising athlete with his entire future lined up and a rugby player at Berkeley University. Until he met misfortune, a terrible injury that rendered him paralyzed, he overcame challenges like losing the function of his limbs. His friends and family will be the first to talk about his infectious sense of humor and his enthusiasm for life astonishing. Listening to him speak about his journey is the best medicine for anyone in hard times. Being in the presence of someone who has defied all odds makes something like financial Adversity seem so shallow. When you look back (because you inevitably will) on the Adversity you have overcome, it is almost silly to think that your previous situation felt so grim. There are countless blessings in life. We are all stronger than we give ourselves credit for.
“Every adversity carries within in it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” – Napoleon Hill
3. Seek advice from a professional and your community.
This tool can usually quicken the pace of overcoming Adversity instead of the usual trial and error approach. You might need to find a tutor, marriage or family counselor, attorney or physical therapist, or medical doctor. You may need to speak with a life coach or a business coach. They can help you set goals to overcome this. Talk with someone who has experience in dealing with your current predicament. Without a robust support system, you can fall into the pit of depression. There are countless aids on stress management and how to achieve success. Remember who you are and where you come from, and remind yourself of all you have already overcome. Your friends and loved ones are a great safety net for emotional strength. Use them. We often feel our struggles will burden others when nothing could be more untrue. Our community is a culmination of the strengths and weaknesses of us all. Adversity always hides a gift. Practice some of these habits. Test them the next time you need to overcome Adversity.
Now you know how to overcome adversity and start overcoming the circumstances that are holding you back.
Best of success to you!