Despite living in homeless shelters or in a car, with her mother and siblings for the past four years, Chelsea Fearce, graduated, this month, from Charles Drew High School, in Georgia, as Valedictorian of her class.
She often studied at night by the light provided from a cell phone. Chelsea refused to allow her circumstances to serve as an excuse, alibi or justification for being anything but the best.
For every Chelsea that refuses to be denied, dissuaded or deterred from pursuing and achieving his/her dreams, there seems to be a ten fold number of people who prefer to “blow smoke”.
That is a politically correct phrase to describe the self talk and interactive talk they engage in to rationalize their laziness, procrastination, inaction and underperformance.
It’s a fact, some people are born with the proverbial ” silver spoon” and others are born into unbelievably difficult situations.
Your starting point is not based on “fairness”.
It’s what you do with the cards you are dealt that is the true measure of you as a person.
Do you have an “I will” attitude or are you busy “blowing smoke”?
Helen Keller overcame being blind and deaf to become an educated, inspirational proponent of women’s rights.
Winston Churchill overcame a stuttering problem and poor school perfomance to become one of the most significant political figures in history.
Wilma Rudolph, the 20th of 22 children overcame polio, scarlet fever and double pneumonia to win three Gold Medals, in track, in the 1960 Rome Olympics.
J.K. Rowling, born poor and a single mother living on govenment assistance, was turned down by most publishers when she wrote her first Harry Potter book.
How Well Do You Handle Adversity In Your Life?
Here Are A Few Tips:
- Be aware of, and accept that, in life, adversity is inevitable
- Prepare yourself mentally and physically to aggressively respond to adversity
- Create a support system of family and friends
- Take comfort and learn from others who have faced similar adversity
- Control your emotions and analyze your adversity and options as objectively as possible
- Create and have a plan, timeline, tactics and resources to address your challenge
- Focus and implement your plan with confidence
- Be realistic, there is no guarantee that you will overcome the adversity
- If unsuccessful, regroup. Review your options, in light of your new reality
- Move Forward, Move Forward!!!- You Are Resilient!!!!!!
Remember
“Adversity has the effect of drawing out strengths and qualities of a man that would have lain dormant in its absence.”
Herodotus
“You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you. “ Walt Disney
” The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.”
Dutch Proverb
You know that smoke, both direct and secondary, is detrimental to your health.
What you may not know is that ” Blowing Smoke”- (“BS”) is also quite dangerous and life threatening.
The excuses, lies, projections, the “victim mentality” that too many unhappy, unsuccessful people employ, in both their personal and professional lives, is basically,”BS”.
“Blowing Smoke” may be indicative of immaturity and an unwillingness to be accountable.
Adults possess self confidence, commitment passion.
Adults have the will to fight, rebound, get bloodied, and confront adversity.
Dr. Broder, Your Attitudinal “Surgeon General” says:
Stop Blowing Smoke and Stop Inhaling the Secondary “Smoke ” of others!
It may Adversly affect your attitude, your behavior, your life!
In addition to preparing several, speaking, sales and managment programs, I will be the guest speaker, for the 5th time, for the passengers of the Queen Mary 2 Cruise Ship the first week of July.
I am booking programs for 2013 and 2014. Please contact me if you or someone you know might want to discuss my serving as a resource. As always, I welcome and encourage your feedback.
Until Next Time,
Fred Broder,
fred@fredbroder.com
www.fredbroder.com
