Every adversity brings with it the seed of an equivalent advantage

This quote is from “Think & Grow Rich,” a book by Napoleon Hill. One of the best personal development books that I have ever read. If you haven’t please do your future self a favor and read this book. 

One of the biggest things that gets people off track from hitting their goals are adversities and challenges. This quote really gave me hope in a time when I was lost and mentally checked out from my job. 

It gave me hope because it had me focus on what’s important in my life. I saw the relationships I had with my friends, God and my family stronger than ever. Even during a time when I was unsure of my career path.

When you know people love and support you it gives you confidence. It gave me time to reflect, be honest with my effort, see what I wanted to do, go after it and fail as many times as I can to learn and move forward. This is how I found advertising and music to be my passions. There is nothing that can keep me from making music, talking to people and having ambition. No matter the adversity I’m going to make great music. What drives me is my passion for music, it’s like a fire that never goes out inside of me. 

It was a challenge for me to stay confident, stay calm and have faith that my dream job will come to me because I had confidence issues and a negative self talk. It was challenging to get past those toxic thoughts but I broke it down to 4 simple things I would focus on everyday that helped me stay confident, stay calm and have unwavering faith. 

BE THE BEST YOU 

If you can go out all day and not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace you’ve won. Nobody can be you. Do not compare yourself to anyone else in this world.. if you do you’re insulting yourself. Never settle for anything other than yourself. You have to learn to love yourself. Learning to trust your gut takes time and will be needed down the road of success. When you are an owner and you have to make split second decision you have to follow your gut and what you feel is right. The trust has to be there first. 

FOCUS ON SMALL WINS 

In 1992 the Bulls were coming off their first NBA Championship. Phil Jackson was discussing when the team talked about the difficulty of repeating. And they had a statement, “You’re only a success at the moment you perform a successful act. That’s why you have to do it again.” The Bulls understood what went into being NBA Champions. It meant doing the small things right. Getting sleep, looking at film and working out every morning. 

Success is hard because it’s tedious, boring every day work nobody likes doing, sees nor cares for. It’s important to know these daily habits you do everyday is the process you take to be successful. You gotta do the little things right and the big thing will handle itself. If you get too consumed on trying to control your future and taking shortcuts its only going to bring anxiety, depression, discouragement and a lose of confidence. 

BE FULL OF GRATITUDE AND GIVE THANKS 

Having an attitude of gratitude leaves no room for hate, envy, jealousy, sulking or complaining- you’re too busy being grateful for what you have. What you focus on will only get bigger. Focus on what you have and you will see that growth. 

The more you give thanks the more positive of person you’ll be. Positivity and confidence are two things that are attractive to people. Build these traits and you’ll see more doors open for you professionally and personally. 

RELAX

This is a big one considering that our society praises capitalistic minded business people who work around the clock with lots of money but no time fo anything else. 

That’s not a healthy life for someone that has anxiety issues and has a history of worrying too much. If that sounds like you then you need to find time to relax – whatever that means for you. For some it's mediating, exercise or even going out for some fresh air by the beach. Understand that you work hard like MJ and that you need to take time to relax and recharge for the next day. I revisit this from time to time because I even need a reminder here and there. You're not alone. Hope is still there and your glory has not yet been revealed. Capture it!