Guiding Your Breakthrough

There is a lot of unease when hard work produces little results. Your thoughts are filled with conflict as you search for a breakthrough. A breakthrough, in this context, means that instance of achieving success in a particular activity. Zig Ziglar’s story of bamboo trees can help us understand breakthroughs. This tree despite showing no signs of growth for years can grow an incredibly thirty feet in three months. While being a useful metaphor for life, it does not highlight the required mind-set for getting your breakthrough. To have that required mind-set for your breakthrough; you need to (i) control what is in your control, (ii) keep building yourself and (iii) remember that struggling is not the same as failure. Therefore, it is useful to briefly review how these three components build a mind-set for your breakthrough.

 “Controlling what is in your control”

The first component highlights the need for you to distinguish the things you can directly affect from those that you cannot. Breakthroughs are so dynamic that the actions and experiences that led to one are oftentimes completely different from another. A recent example of this point is the Cleveland Cavalier’s success in the NBA finals. For Lebron James winning the third ring was a different journey from the previous two. The Cavaliers understood that the only thing under their control was how they played in each game. Overturning a 3-1 deficit meant consistently going back to the drawing board and changing how they played.

This final series demonstrates three ways to control what is in your control. First, each player improved in their specific role which reduced the chances for errors. They found a way to make what works for them, work for the team. Second, they exerted their influence on the games instead of merely responding. In the final games of the series, the Cavaliers played their style and forced the Warriors to respond. Success was achieved by exerting influence not bending to the influence of others. The final lesson is that “controlling what is in your control” is a long-term process that demands consistency. For that bamboo tree in your life, it means waking up each morning to water the seed rather than anticipating the tree itself.

Keeping building ourselves

Oftentimes, in conflict, our mind can react like a person drowning; we hold unto any thought regardless of its effect or relevance to the situation. Building yourself directs energy towards your goal rather than distractions. It is a reflective exercise that appreciates the positive and negative aspects of your situation. Having a balance approach serves to energise yourself during the pursuit of your breakthrough.

Nature provides a useful metaphor for how “building yourself” can lead to a breakthrough. A seed has all the food and instructions needed within itself to grow into a plant. The roots grow first and anchor the seed into the soil. Using the roots, the seed absorbs nutrients from the soil to make its own food. By the time the seed has broken through the soil, it has a firm foundation and is able to generate its own nutrients. Likewise, building yourself creates a foundation from which you can set your goals and improve towards achieving them.

Remember that struggle is not the same as failure

The final component is to remember that struggling is not the same as failure. Ironically, improvement typically comes from struggling to achieve your goals. Getting that breakthrough means seeing beyond the struggle and appreciate the improvements that are being made. The story of Vanderlei de Lima who lit the Olympic cauldron is a great example. An attack by a spectator during the 2004 Olympic Marathon cost de Lima his momentum and lead. Surprisingly, de Lima held on to win the bronze medal. He celebrated with the whole world and said its bronze but it means gold.

De Lima’s mind-set was aware that the real failure would be to give up during the race. He did not allow the struggles of the race to prevent him from achieving his goals. The key takeaway is that during our challenging moments, the true task is to achieve your goals. For his sportsmanship and representing Olympic values, de Lima joined the handful of persons to win the rare de Coubertin Medal.

To conclude, achieving your breakthrough is not an exact science. Your mind-set must remain focus and driven during these challenging times. These components are guidelines to keeping a mind-set that helps to achieve your breakthrough.

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Joshua Hamlet is an evangelist for the importance of collaboration. His company Inspire Consulting focuses on education and mentoring for Caribbean entrepreneurs and start-ups. He holds a LLB and Msc in International Relations.