Adversity: The Greatness Challenge
“Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.”
Adversity: The Greatness Challenge
By Don Yaeger
Adversity is one of the most potent forces in life, one that can bring out your best or your worse. Ultimately, it’s up to you. How will you handle obstacles? Will they be roadblocks or springboards?
Consider this unlikely ascent to Greatness: In 1922, when Ernest Hemingway was still struggling to get published, a suitcase containing almost all of his drafts and manuscripts was lost on a train. Left with only two stories out of all his efforts, Hemingway was crushed. But upon the advice of his good friend and already-established author Ezra Pound, he re-created all he could of what had been lost, and in so doing established one of his stylistic trademarks – bare-bones language and a simple, journalistic tone.
Rather than throwing in the towel when he was faced with a seemingly insurmountable challenge, and thus robbing the twentieth century of one of its most important literary voices, Hemingway listened to Pound’s encouragement and used the devastating situation as something to make his work stronger (p. 108).
From: Yaeger, D. (2011). Greatness: the 16 characteristics of true champions. New York: Center Street.
Reprinted with permission from the OSU Leadership Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, (614) 292-3114, http://leadershipcenter.osu.edu/
Coaching Call to Action
How do you handle adversity or obstacles? How have you turned challenges into springboards? Tell your story in the comments below!
Awesome advice Andrea and I love the quotes on your post. My job ended yesterday due to a buy out at our Hospice, but a few weeks ago when I first heard this was a possibility (and the way it was done was kind of hurtful) I decided instead of looking at this like something that was being done to me , but to look at it as the way God was orchestrating things on my behalf to take me to a new adventure… And you know what? The day after I decided to change my perspective, I received a call for an interview at a new place and within the following few days, I was given that new job! It was like a dream come true since I love what this new place stands for and I feel my gifts and personality are a perfect fit. For me, changing my perspective was KEY in going through this.
Awesome huh?
Lee Ann Garrett
Lee Ann, thank you for your reply. What a great story! You are powerful!
Look what happened with your new job. Keep asking for what you want. As one door shuts, watch the window opening for something even better.