Written by: Haseena Shaheed-Jackson, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Success and accomplishment are the results of encountering and overcoming obstacles and adversity. They occur to provide you with lessons that you are to apply to your life. Life is not about winning. It is about how good you are as a fighter. You get up and keep on swinging instead of throwing in the towel.
"You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it's important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages." - Michelle Obama
Your obstacles and adversity add to your character, depth and knowledge. They mold you into the person that you need to become. Adversity and obstacles provide the lessons that you must apply to your life. Do not regret or begrudge these lessons. It is the application of these lessons that will enable you to live an exceptional life.
I give you six tips to gain momentum to move forward using your obstacles and adversity.
Provide Direction. Aid you in navigating the course that you are travel to live a life in your purpose. You want the path to be in alignment with your potential, gifts and talents. You do not want to find that you have traveled a road that was a dead end. Placing you on a path that was filled with distractions caused you to waste time and resources that entice you to give up. You want to be on the path that is pressing you forward.
Builds Resilience. You are to get back up and keep moving forward. You develop the fortitude to see beyond the vicissitudes of life because of your beliefs and faith in what you can do and will do. Keep your eye on your vision and target. It will add to your strength and build your character.
Solidifies core values. You get to know who you are. Develop the foundations and pillars of your life. You identify what is most important to you resulting in following your passion and building your courage.
Acquire Experience. You build on your knowledge, skills and abilities. Experience cannot be bought on sale. The price cannot be discounted. You must pay full price.
Obtain Wisdom. It is the application of your experience. You apply what has been acquired to keep you going forward. Wisdom will keep you on track and on target. Provides the insight in strategizing and planning your next steps and courses of action.
Yields evaluation and feedback. Input is needed to provide correction and adjustments to your plans, actions and goals. You cannot live in a bubble. Evolution and change requires collecting and gathering input and information. You will need to alter and revise your plans. Failing to incorporate will result in your becoming stagnant and ultimately extinct.
Your adversity and obstacles make you stronger. They prepare you for the person you are to become so you can live an exceptional life. Embrace them. They will allow you to:
Continue increasing and enhancing the picture you are painting for your vision.
Be creative. Thinking outside the box. Finding and developing new solutions and alternatives.
Use adversity and obstacles to be the momentum to keep you moving forward. With momentum you can continue to move forward achieving success.
Haseena Shaheed-Jackson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Mrs. Haseena Shaheed-Jackson is a Certified Coach, Speaker, and Trainer under the John Maxwell Team. She is the author of Reflections Within and Messages from the Spirit. Her mission is to add value to people to add value to others by intentionally growing, resulting in transformation and changing their world. Growth is a continual process that never ceases. It is a lifetime commitment that must become a habit. Ms. Jackson is the Owner of Faith, Hope and Spirit, LLC, which offers training, coaching, and speaking in growth, development, leadership, and influence. For over 30 years, she has held positions in leadership and management for various companies and organizations, where her responsibilities included mentoring, coaching, development, and training. She hosts a monthly networking group, Connecting and Collaborating to Thrive (CC2T). CC2T focuses on developing relationships and establishing a community. She actively seeks to form partnerships with others to make a difference and be impactful.
