I grew up in an entrepreneurial household. Aside from the farm being a family business my father had other small family businesses he had pursued and succeeded with, the truck dealership, A PEO company, a feed mill and compost company to name a few. Throughout all these family ventures there was always a common theme... hard work and CYB(cover your butt). In all dealings, in all activities make sure that you've done things right to protect yourself and know that you are prepared.
I think that is a big part of handling any adversity, making sure you are prepared. I look as adversity as a training program. I always tell my athletes "The harder you work today, the easier it will be tomorrow". The more in life I fight through the challenges and adversity, the easier it is to overcome and fight through the next adversity. It becomes a life long training program really.
I also believe that the lord prepares us for the challenges that will come later with the obstacles we face today. It's definitely a thread I can see play out in my life now. When I raced motocross professionally I was careful to be real with myself and stay grounded, my natural abilities were not strong. I knew I wasn't going to be one of the fast guys on the track, so to make up for that I worked hard to make sure I was in better shape to do my best to outlast the speed of others. I may not have been the fastest, but I was always one of the strongest, both physically and mentally. Overcoming this challenge in my racing career is what led to my opportunities as a trainer.
My training program continued to develop throughout the years and I was always pushing myself and my body. Danielle has always given me a hard time because I was constantly complaining of being sore. The stronger I got, the harder I would push to bring the pain. I slowly conditioned myself to experiencing fatigued muscles as just a part of life.
Little did I know the big guy was preparing me. Since my accident my back, my hips, my legs constantly hurt. Some days are better than others, but I have accepted a certain level of constant aching that will always be there. It's something I will live with, but because of the mental and physical conditioning of my past it's something I can live with. I guess I'm lucky.
Course I only feel that way based on my definition of lucky. Luck is when opportunity meets preparation. Opportunity is a common, optimistic word to use as a replacement for problem. I have handled this opportunity because I was prepared.
I encourage all to look at adversity and challenges in life as way to prepare yourself for the next opportunity. The perspective will not only make challenges easier to face... you also might find it just may change your future luck.
