What's Stopping You?

To get this week off on the right note, I suggest to you that the follow quote by Dan Zadra be the focus of your day.

“Always know in your heart that you are far bigger than anything that can happen to you.” – Dan Zadra

You've heard if before... sometimes, bad things happen to good people. People get sick, lose jobs, get divorced, have financial problems, raise troubled kids, suffer from depression and there are a multitude of other things that can go wrong in life. Sooner or later we all face some kind of trouble.

What does it take to get past some of the heartache that we all surely experience? I recently saw the movie “Men of Honor” and was engrossed with one man's quest to be all he could be in his life. Many seemingly insurmountable obstacles were thrown in his path and, yet, he kept finding ways to go where he wanted life to take him.

What does it take to keep the faith, find the good in circumstances and continue on your journey through life? In my work as a coach, and from personal experience, I have found it takes healthy doses of the following elements to press on.

1. A sense of purpose. People who continue on know who they are and what they bring to the table. They also know that success is cumulative and that a person is not the sum of his successes or failures, but rather a total sum of his how his mind, body and spirit operate.

“Self-esteem--an estimation of who I am apart from what I do.” – Nathaniel Branden

2. The ability to see the big picture and keep a positive attitude. Troubles and turmoil are often the steppingstones to greater and bigger dreams. This is difficult to see in the midst of trouble, but having even the smallest mustard seed of faith will help propel you forward. Think positive!

"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit." – Helen Keller

3. Perseverance and support. When you know who you are meant to be, the only way to be that person is to keep pressing on. Find a way. If there is not a path, then make one. And don't go it alone. Get the support you need. Find someone you trust. Ask for their feedback and support. Why make life harder than it has to be? When you go it alone, you make it that way.
Keep on keepin' on!

“Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.” – John Quincy Adams

“It's never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Elliot

I urge you now to take some to time to reflect and do a check-in with who you are. Are you happy with yourself? Are you in integrity? Who do you want to be? If something or someone has been stopping you from taking the above steps, just simply begin and watch what comes your way. Be true to who you are and expect to have a delightful future!