7 WAYS TO OVERCOME ADVERSITY

Adversity comes like hurricane and takes a different form. One common thing I know about all adversities is that they can only be overcome within. I have heard people expressing themselves –“It is a shock to me. I can’t believe he’s gone. I can’t find my name on the promotion list after all I have done. I never believe the business would not work. Where do I start from?” Adversities are temporary and most times; the setbacks are setups for comebacks.

In the book Transform Yourself, I shared how Natalie De Toit overcame her major adversity. She had her left leg amputated while training for the 2004 Olympic Games. She is today the world most decorated Paralympics’ Gold Medalists and a national icon in South Africa. She created a new destiny. Please read this from Chapter 11 titled Create Your Destiny in the book Transform Yourself (the secrets for unleashing and maximizing your potentials).

You can visit www.babsolugbemi.org for the links to buying the book online from Amazon, Jumia and Konga. It is also available at the Bible Wonderland Bookshops in Lagos or better still, contact the author.

You can overcome any adversity as long as you have the breath in you. It is a choice. Moving ahead in life is a choice.

Below are seven simple ways to moving on in life.

1. Accept it, it’s real.
Every success story is not devoid of setbacks. It is the comebacks that made the story. Adversity is always on the way to living a fulfilled life. Accept it as part of what you must overcome. It has happened and all you need to do is to see it as part of the process. You have two options but a choice at every crossroad. To stay back or move on. Acceptance is a platform for recreation. One way to finding acceptance is to express how you feel at the moment without dwelling long on what happened.

2. Give Thanks.
Whatever happened is not the worst. It is could be worst. So, give thanks for what is left and what is coming. Count your blessings. Stop the comparison game. Be prepared to move ahead. There are better days ahead of you.

3. Separate Your Emotions.
Use your emotions to your advantage. Remember your past summits and celebrate what has been and what is to come. Dwell on things that ignite your hope. When the thought of what happened showed up, brush it aside with a mental positive image of tomorrow.

4. Choose New Stories.
The minor keys on a keyboard are very vital in music. You must shift your thinking to what you want to see after the temporary setback. As you think, so shall you see. See a near and better picture of tomorrow. Think possibilities, think success, and think a better you. Write and replay the new story of you winning in your imagination. This will create in you a good feeling and propel you to take action.

5. Visit the Nature.
Give yourself a refreshing treat. Visit nature, watch inspiring films, listening to messages of Hope. Above all, tap into the divine assistance. Pray and practice your religion. It is important to ask for help from the above. Take spiritual responsibility for what you desire.

6. Find New Summit.
Find what you love and start doing it. Aside your normal job, there are some non conflicting interests you have that brings fulfillment. Is it a visit to the orphanage, friends or writing a book? Devote your time to seek positive fulfillment. Get distracted from the normal into the fulfillment sphere.

7. Get Something Done.
Take action. Most time, adversity is a call for reflection. Reflection brings new insight and it takes discipline to act on your inspiration. You will be known for what you did, not what you feel like doing.

There is a level of discipline to exude in overcoming adversity. Do not be the weeping child. It is time to move on. I see better days ahead of you. Moving on in life is a choice…. Make the right choice today.

To Your Growth

Babs Olugbemi
Author, Transform Yourself
Founder, Positive Growth Africa
www.babsolugbemi.org