By Danladi Usman dusman@financialfreedomng.com
Don’t let adversity kill you but let it make you a better person even in crisis
QUICKLOOK
- Being positive, especially in the face of crisis, is a difficult task.
- We must be deliberate about increasing positive energy. We must remember that what we focus on expands.
- Being negative in the middle of adversity will hinder the ability to perform at optimum levels.
- To achieve greatness in anything, envisioning is a key prerequisite.
- Attract people who bring positive energy.
- Resolve to not be a victim of life but to overcome and crush any obstacle on your way to happiness and fulfilment.
Nigeria’s current economic crisis has brought more anger and negative attitude to many people. Many people have become totally enraged by all the negative indices faced on a daily basis. Doubts about the government’s ability to reverse the negative trend are beginning to rise. Worries about how families will cope with the economic downturn and job losses are plenty. These are modern-day Nigerian realities.
The questions: How do you survive in difficult times when nothing appears to be working? What do you do if you lose your job and are unable to meet your family obligation? How do you survive when you are unable to cope with the increase of prices of goods and services since your household income has not increased to match the inflation?
For many, being positive, in the face of crisis, is a difficult task. When something goes wrong, all kinds of negativity begin to take over our thoughts and eventually go on to affect many other areas of our lives if we are not deliberate about increasing positive energy. We have a choice to direct our focus on the negative or positive. What we focus on eventually determines the direction of our lives. What we focus on expands. If we give in and decide to play the victim card, negativity will eat us up and provide us with virtually no forward movement. Being negative in the middle of adversity or failure will hinder our ability to perform at optimum level in our quest for success.
You are what you think
Everything we are – and not – is a direct consequence of the quality of our thoughts. The greatest boxer of all time, Mohammed Ali, when faced with stronger opponents, always reassured himself that he was the greatest. It worked for him and brought him great success. It is absolutely impossible to be great without thinking that you are great. To achieve greatness in anything, you must envision it first in your mind before it can become a reality.
This is key when adversity strikes. The quality of our thoughts matter because they will lead us to victory or failure. Begin today to increase your thought patterns. Constantly talk to yourself in a positive and uplifting way. Direct your attention towards the good in your life – not the bad. The fact that there is a challenge in one area does not mean that you have failed in every area. Do everything in your power to make sure your thoughts are building you up instead of tearing you down.
Stay with positive people
Leave people who bring negative energy and stay with people who are positive. This is important if we must successfully ride the challenges we face. What help will anyone bring to your life if all they do is focus on the ugly side of life and why things are bad? Of course, you know that things are bad. So the best thing to do is show them the exit door.
Expect the best
Sometimes, it can be difficult to expect the best when you are faced with a difficult situation or in crisis mode. But it is also true that the only way to keep alive and come out on the other side is to expect the best. Resolve to not be a victim of life but to overcome and crush any obstacle on your way to happiness and fulfilment. When life knocks you down, don’t stay down. It is not the falling that matters but how quickly you rise again.
All great men have fallen at one point or the other. The greatest mistake you can make is to give up on yourself and be unwilling to try again. See the adverse situation as an opportunity to try again. The fact that one door closes does not mean that all doors are closed. Yes, the sun will shine again. It is darkest before it is morning. Above all, engrave it on your mind that no matter how dark the night is, morning will surely come. So don’t let adversity kill you but let it make you a better person with a success story.
