How My Simple Life Motto Pulled Me Through the Toughest Times

Resilience.

That's it.

The one word that's kept me going through thick and thin. But let me break it down for you, because resilience isn't just a buzzword – it's a lifestyle.

When life hits you hard, you've got two choices: stay down or get back up. I've always chosen the latter. Why? Because I've learned that the sweetest victories come after the toughest battles.

Let's begin.

The darkest hour

We've all been there.

Rock bottom.

That place where you feel like you're drowning in quicksand, and every move you make just pulls you deeper. I've had my fair share of those moments. Sleepless nights, endless doubts, and a voice in my head saying, "Maybe you're just not cut out for this."

But here's the thing: those moments are where champions are born.

You see, it's easy to be motivated when everything's going your way. The real test comes when you're faced with adversity. That's when your true character shines through.

So what if its sucks. Keep going.

Life isn't always sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes, it's a storm that feels like it'll never end. But guess what? Storms pass. They always do.

The key is to adapt and move on.

Yeah, you heard me right. In the words of Richard Branson, "Screw it, let's do it."

When things get tough, don't run from the pain. Feel it. Acknowledge it. Then use it as fuel to propel you forward.

I've learned that the most significant growth happens during the most challenging times. It's in those moments of despair that we discover what we're truly made of.

The Power of "Yet"

"I can't do this."

How many times have you said that to yourself? I know I have. But there's a simple trick I've learned that's changed my entire perspective.

Add one word: "yet."

"I can't do this... yet."

It's amazing how a three-letter word can completely shift your mindset. It transforms a dead-end into a challenge. A failure into a lesson.

Remember: every expert was once a beginner. The only difference? They didn't give up.

Small wins, big impact

When you're climbing a mountain, you don't leap from the base to the peak in one giant bound. You take it one step at a time.

The same applies to life.

Celebrate your small wins. Did you get out of bed today despite feeling like the world was against you? That's a win. Did you make that phone call you've been dreading? Another win.

These small victories might seem insignificant, but they add up. They build momentum. And before you know it, you're halfway up that mountain, looking back and realizing just how far you've come.

The art of pivoting

Life rarely goes according to plan.

Trust me, I know.

I've had dreams crushed, projects fail, and relationships crumble. But each time, I've learned to pivot.

Pivoting isn't about giving up on your dreams. It's about adapting them to your current reality. It's about being flexible enough to see new opportunities in the midst of chaos.

Some of the best things in my life came from moments when I thought all was lost. But I stayed open, stayed curious, and found new paths I never knew existed.

Surround yourself with giants

You've probably heard the saying, "You're the average of the five people you spend the most time with."

It's true.

In my darkest times, I've leaned on those around me. Not just for support, but for inspiration. I've sought out mentors, joined communities of like-minded individuals, and surrounded myself with people who push me to be better.

When you're around giants, you can't help but grow taller.

The power of gratitude

It sounds cliché, I know. But hear me out.

When everything seems to be falling apart, take a moment to be grateful. Grateful for the lessons, grateful for the strength you're building, grateful for the opportunity to prove yourself.

Gratitude shifts your focus from what you lack to what you have. And trust me, you have more than you realize.

I've made it a habit to write down three things I'm grateful for every day, especially on the tough days. It's a game-changer.

Use failure as a teacher

Failure isn't the opposite of success. It's a part of success.

Every time you fail, you learn. You grow. You get one step closer to your goals.

I've failed more times than I can count. But each failure has taught me something valuable. It's shaped me, molded me, and made me who I am today.

So don't fear failure. Learn from it. And then get back up and try again.

The Journey is the Destination

Here's a secret: there is no finish line.

Life is a continuous journey of growth and learning. The moment you think you've "made it" is the moment you stop growing.

So enjoy the journey. Learn from the ups and downs. Find joy in the process, not just the outcome.

Because at the end of the day, it's not about where you end up. It's about who you become along the way.

Resilience.

It's more than just bouncing back. It's about bouncing forward. It's about using every setback as a setup for a comeback.

So the next time life knocks you down, remember: you've got this. You're stronger than you think. And your best days are still ahead of you.

Keep pushing. Keep growing. Keep believing.

Because that's what resilience is all about.

If you want to make each day count, grab my book:

30 Strategies of Joy in a Chaotic world.