Adversity: Your Seed of Greatness (Three Secrets to Using
Adversity to Become Great)
>From our first day on earth until our last, we face different
levels of adversity. Adversity may be sickness, a property loss,
or the loss of a family member. It may be a lost career
promotion or a business setback. How we handle these adversities
defines how we achieve greatness in our lives.
Let me share the story of James Blake, who overcame multiple
adversities, more than most of us would ever experience in a
lifetime and yet achieved greatness. James Blake is a world
class professional tennis player enjoying fame and making a
six-figure income. However, in his childhood, he developed a
rare disease that required him to wear a body brace for years.
Other kids teased him, calling him "Iron Man" from the Marvel
Comic Books, and he felt left out. During this time, he
concentrated on his academics, read a wide variety of books, and
developed himself as a well-rounded person. He also developed a
heightened awareness for others who are going through difficult
times.
Once he had the brace removed, he learned to play tennis with an
intense passion not exhibited by many other tennis players,
because he appreciated the opportunity to finally play tennis.
He didn't take this opportunity for granted. He attended Harvard
and became the #1 player on their tennis team.
As a promising professional player, adversity struck again. In
1994, while practicing for a major tournament, he slipped and
fell forward striking his neck against the metal pole that holds
the tennis net. James's doctor said that had James not slightly
turned his head, James would have broken his vertebra and become
paralyzed from the neck down. Instead, he was hospitalized with
a fractured vertebra, blurred vision, and dizziness.
While in the hospital, James did much soul searching. Many
family members and friends came by to offer encouragement,
advice, and support. His coach was a constant bedside companion
and finally asked James, "Do you want to play tennis again?"
James said "yes," and they developed a plan to start his
comeback.
With the support of family, friends, and his coach, James
started his comeback step by painful step. At first when he
tried to play tennis, he still had to overcome his blurred
vision and dizziness. He had doubts whether he would ever handle
the 125 mph plus serves of his opponents.
Then he suffered another setback. During his rehabilitation, his
father, with whom he had a very close relationship, developed
cancer and passed away. During his father's sickness, James was
by his side. After his father passed away, James was devastated.
However, he regrouped and carried on with the support of his
mother, family, friends, and coach.
He returned to playing professional tennis, and there were many
more losses than wins. But he stayed focused and determined and
progressively improved. He began playing the top professional
players competitively, and he began winning against the top
players. Then he once again started winning tournaments. After
this long journey, James became one of the top players in the
world.
What can we learn from James Blake's journey through adversity
to greatness? The following are three keys to making adversity
work for you:
1. If it Doesn't Kill You, It Makes you Stronger Many times we
face adversities and say, "If only I can make it through this."
It may be a sickness, loss of a loved one, job loss, etc. By
remaining focused, determined, and concentrating on the
positive, many times you can become stronger.
Parents are now sheltering their children against any little
adversity for fear it might be painful. I say allow your
children to "grow up" and stop sheltering them from adversity.
Teach them how to make adversity work for them. These
adversities and the way they handle the adversities will define
who they are and prepare them for challenges in the future. Some
of our greatest business leaders, scientists, engineers,
inventors, humanitarians, and sport heroes became the people
they are because they overcame adversity.
2. Adversity Often Develops Unknown Talents Once the door of
adversity closes one opportunity to you, the door of greatness
often opens another. James Blake, first during his sicknesses
and then after, developed his awareness of helping other
unfortunate people. Now he runs free tennis programs for
disadvantaged children. Before his sickness, James was not known
for his concentration and focus on the tennis court. After his
sickness, he developed and became known for his mental
toughness. When experiencing adversity, ask yourself, "What
positive thing can come out of this?"
3. Adversity Rallies Your Resources While James was sick, many
resources arrived to help him. First, he had the time to step
back to reflect on his life, goals, mission, and values. Second,
he was able to obtain sound advice from family, friends, and
others that he might not have been able to receive while
traveling on the road. His setbacks allowed him to take time to
summon resources (advice, help, etc.) he would not have realized
if he had been traveling non-stop. He made his "downtime" work
for him.
When adversity comes, don't avoid it; attack adversity with all
your resources. The way you manage adversity will define who you
are and ready you for future opportunities, because adversity
can be your seed of greatness.