Sometimes it is really difficult to find the positive side of a challenge confronting us. When dealing with adversity – a career setback, the ending of a long-time relationship or the illness of a child – it’s hard to believe there is a sunny side or a silver lining to this experience. But history is full of people who found possibilities through adversity. Reflecting on some of their achievements can remind us to look for opportunities when dealing with challenges..
If a young Spanish soccer star had not been injured seriously in a car accident and spent months recuperating in the hospital, he likely would not have discovered his musical side. The world might have missed the beautiful voice of Julio Iglesias.
McDonalds and the “golden arches” would not exist today if Ray Kroc’s several ventures had not ended in bankruptcy prior to his opportune meeting the McDonald brothers. History has it that he purchased a little hamburger stand that later became the world’s preeminent fast food franchise.
Had Walt Disney not failed in his initial dreams to the point of bankruptcy, the magic of the Magic Kingdom and the hundreds of Disney related businesses would not exist today.
According to Napoleon Hill – “Every adversity, every failure, and every heartache, carries with it the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit.”
It’s the tough to believe, but sometimes we are taught lessons that will benefit us. You must allow yourself to be open to what life is teaching you and apply it later when the opportunity presents itself.
Many challenges were not insurmountable to begin with, they only needed a little creativity or fortitude and a gentle nudge from the creative side in you. Allowing yourself to have positive and affirming outlook sometimes seems contrary to what is expected of us today. We are taught to be humble lest we seem too full of ourselves. Modesty gets in the way and we are expected to play down our strengths and play up our weaknesses to help us fit in.
You have to maintain the attitude and mindset of a creative problem solver and learn to develop opportunity awareness. Look for the possible benefits and opportunities hidden even in adversity or hardship. Learn to visualize any negative situation as an opportunity for metamorphosis, like a caterpillar changing into a butterfly. Sometimes creativity calls for looking at a combination of things that you had not thought of previously.
With the help of inspirational quotes from people like McDonalds, Disney and MacGyver, allow yourself to find the opportunity or silver lining even in the midst of challenges or tragedy.