Overcoming Challenges - Part 1

What do all highly successful people have in common?

Garry Kasparov

Many people much more experienced than myself have already attempted to answer this question, but the way I see it, the one commonality all highly successful people have is - they overcame serious adversity in their lives. If you know an exception, feel free to share with me!

I waited a while before sharing this post because I had a lot of challenges 1-2 weeks ago - both internal and external. Note the use of language - I always see things as a challenge, or an issue, not a problem. Whenever someone tells me they have a 'problem', I automatically expect complaining, excuses and lamenting - but when someone shares a challenge they're facing, or an important issue, I know they're thinking about and looking for, a solution.

Still not as puzzling as the Minotaur's labyrinth...

Do you wish that all your challenges would just vanish? 

So relaxing...

No way! If you have challenges, it means you are growing as a person. It's not the challenge that is the problem - it's that we need to evolve in some way, and develop certain skills, to rise to the level of the challenge. 

As the Jewish proverb goes - Ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders.

Hercules!

In my next blog post, one week from now, I will give you an example from my own life, of how I used a challenge to become a much stronger person!

Note that I originally wrote this series just for my private students, but after seeing and hearing the impact it had on them, I've decided to share my ideas freely, so that everyone can benefit  

Please share your feedback in the comments below!