This past week has had its ups and downs. I think we all go through this. Facing anything from being criticized to failure can either make us or break us. For me, I choose the former rather than the latter. One of the things I learned in the Marines was to learn how to be miserable and thrive off of it. Even then, not every Marine was able to handle it. Heck, I remember back in boot camp of how some of my fellow recruits would cry for home. There was even a recruit who shot himself.

From what I’ve learned about the top performers is that every single one of them got there from facing some sort of adversity. They probably faced it over and over again. Each time they grew stronger.

If you believe you’re going to be an overnight success, then you’re an idiot. If you think you can be successful by taking the easy route, then be my guest. Because, the truth is that only through grit and determination over a period of time will one meet true success. Most people will never reach it. Whenever I hear of the actor who became and overnight success, I’d probably would see a background of hard work over years to get there. They may have taken a lot of bit parts, worked in restaurants (or some other job) and endured countless auditions. They most likely took many classes to hone their skills.

It’s not just actors that go through this process. Entrepreneurs, artists, top lawyers and doctors, writers and so forth have paid their dues. They gave up a lot to get what they wanted.

If you fell on your face when going after what you want, embrace it. Give each failure a BIG THANKS! You know when you fail and learn what not to do, then you grew. When you discovered through learning from others after you failed, you grew. When you asked for help when you needed it, you grew. You’re an idiot if you try to go at it alone. Don’t!

Set yourself up for success by going through the challenges of life. It’s not easy. It’s hard work. Sure, you can find an easier path. This only happens when you go through the adversity first and then adjust to find a better way. When people say don’t work so hard, that is not true. You’ve got to work and work at what you love.

When you have successes and failures, don’t identify with either one. Take them for what they are. One is telling you the path not to take and the other that you’re on the right road.

Now, face the adversities, fears and challenges in your life and go for it. GROW!

Cheers,

Bob Choat, “Transformational Master Black Belt”
Growth Hacker
Life Hacker
America’s #1 Mind-Body Transformation Expert and author of Mind Your Own Fitness