Life is full of highs and lows, triumphs and failures, and monumental changes. With life speeding ahead as fast as a jet plane, sometimes we don’t see adversity coming. It hits us at full speed, sometimes debilitating us and leaving us with lingering doubt and pain. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. We don’t have to bear the weight of these hardships alone.
In terms of business, experiencing adversity is like a right of passage. I remember when I first started out, I would carry the burden of disappointments from previously unmet expectations. It exhausted my ability to expect and believe in the future. Through time and self-reflection, I now understand that my first mistake was how I understood adversity. Looking through a narrow lense, I viewed adversity as a negative experience instead of a nourishing experience that I could grow and learn from.
Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sicks, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” If we allow adversity and doubt to tarnish our hearts, we will never encounter the joys of life. As I have once said before, the very opposite of disappointment is faith and this is the victory that overcomes the world.
The Secrets to Overcoming Adversity and Doubt
1. Let Go of Expectations
When hardship strikes and you feel the soul-crushing force of the world on your shoulders, the first thing you need to do its take a deep breath. Remember that most disruptive situations or mistakes have solutions. Now, this doesn’t mean it will be easy. Sometimes these situations are completely out of your control. Take it from me when I say that your path to success will never be linear. You will have to default, sometimes take an off-road you weren’t expecting. This is when it’s time to let go of your expectations and well-thought-out plans and start anew.
2. Accept and Shift Perspectives
When the chase for a desired goal goes completely wrong, it can be hard to let go and fully accept the situation at hand. Now is not the time for “what if’s” or “I wish I had…” you need to be able to fully accept that things didn’t go as planned. If you need some time to decompress and think, allow yourself that. However, don’t get too caught up and overwhelmed, it will only prevent you from being able to move forward.
When you’re caught in the moment of complete doubt, practice changing your perspective. I know it’s hard, but that is your moment to look to God for strength and really do something about the situation. Before you even begin to respond, take a moment to detach yourself from the situation and clear your mind. Calm yourself through prayer and tell yourself that you are open to new outcomes and that you have the power to continue on. Once you can think rationally, start taking steps towards mending the situation or finding new possibilities. Maybe you haven’t chosen this path, but you get to decide how it affects you.
3. Always Persist
Giving up is the easiest option. It’s the option that many of us take when a situation feels too overwhelming or permanent. If you allow yourself to give up, you eliminate the possibility of future success and happiness. With practice, you will learn to navigate adversity and in turn, change the outcome of your story. Even if it feels like too much, you will come out the other end much stronger if you make the decision to persist.
4. Invest in Yourself:
If you know me, I’m sure you’ve heard me say this before. Invest in yourself. Let’s put the business, money, and monetary matters aside. Those are great things to invest in, but today I’m talking about investing in your actual self. Meaning your mind, your value, and your potential. If you try to build on a weak foundation, you are sure to crumble at any sign of difficulty. If you’re willing to invest time into your creativity, confidence, knowledge, and wisdom, you will be able to handle anything life throws your way, even adversity!
What are the setbacks you have dealt with in business and how did you manage them? What did you learn from the experience and what would you recommend to others who are facing adversity? In my experiences, one of the best ways to deal with adversity is to talk to others who have been there too. I will keep an eye out for your responses in the comment section below!
Don’t forget, early bird tickets for my annual WealthBuilders Conference in February are on sale now! This conference isn’t about me, it’s about YOU. I know this conference has the ability to change your mind and your life alike. For the month of November, tickets are being sold at the cheapest price we will offer! Tickets are limited, so get yours before they all sell out! Learn more by clicking here.
