I know you’re disappointed today.
That thing…that situation you’ve had your eye on…
that potential love interest that turned out to be a dud…
that job that’s not paying as well as you thought it would…
that house you wanted but got outbid on…
that one thing you tried to do that fell apart…
… it’s disappointing. Life can be that way. You don’t need me to tell you that.
What you do need me to tell you today is this:
When life disappoints you – try harder.
Because when you decide not to quit—others will give in. They don’t want it as bad as you do.
When you dig deep—others may turn their attention to easier tasks.
If you dig just one millimeter deeper, grab that one tiny shred of strength you have left and throw it right at that space on the other side of the problem.
You know that space. The horizon of what it is that you are working towards. Keep your fight focused on the road ahead to your goals—no matter what may show up on that road—and keep moving, one step at a time.
That tiny bit of extra fight in you could make ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
It’s the tiny thing that keeps you from melting down when things get tough.
It’s the spark in your spirit that defies all odds or labels or statistics. It doesn’t give in. It fights for you when your breathing quickens and you feel the pressure.
It fights for you when you wake up and feel that first breath of defeat—when you wake up in the morning and you’re just tired.
Though there are often miles and miles between you and that horizon…what happens on the road between are merely growth opportunities to PREPARE YOU for that horizon.
My Bump in the Road
Folks, I am being challenged right now.
Y’all know I’ve got my eye on a horizon, a goal, a dream. I’ve got BIG things I need to do to make it happen.
So…my BIGGEST client just cut 80% of my work.
I have worked for them for 2 years. They are half my income every month. And they just cut my work by 80%.
Big disappointment, right?
Right now that I’m on the home stretch to reach a destination I’ve been fighting like mad to reach since I was literally a child. It’s soooooo close.
And now, nearly half my income disappears, overnight.
Disappointment? Sure.
Frustrating? Absolutely.
Am I defeated? — Absolutely NOT!
This is merely a challenge to prove I’m worthy of the win.
Your Takeaway Today — DON’T MISS THIS!
When you face challenges, ask yourself:
Why is this challenge here?
What am I to learn?
What am I to prove?
How can I find the opportunity in this situation?
If I pass this test — what does this prove about my character?
How can this challenge sharpen my skill, resilience, my courage to move toward my goals?
WHEN I pass this test — how will I feel about my goals moving forward? Will they change? Will they become even bolder?
Don’t Let the Haters Get to You!
Now, one more thing — when you fail, have setbacks (etc) — remember that there are people out there who are just waiting for you to fall flat on your face. (Don’t believe me? Go read ANY public post’s comments that demonstrate how mean and stupid people can be…I’ll wait.)
No doubt — there are people out there who can’t wait to see you fail at this. But, they are going to be sorely disappointed. You can show them what you’re really made of.
For me — this setback, my friends, will show that I am capable. It will demonstrate that I am worthy of the eventual win.
It separates the wheat from the chaff in my spirit and prepares me — trial by fire if you will — for the goals I know I can achieve.
And your setbacks can do the same for you. What is this current disappointment going to teach you today? I know you can rise up to meet it.
Take care, dear readers.
~Christina M. Ward
Professional freelance writer|editor|mentor