If we are going to achieve success in our lives and endeavours, we must be rugged and dogged in the pursuit of our dreams and visions. In lieu of this, we must realise that every true vision will be tested for authenticity and as such, obstacles will definitely come in our way of achieving the success we've always desired. Please do not think that you are exempted from this reality Trouble isn't going to say, "I guess I'll just leave him alone". When you decide to be someone great in life, everything is going to try to get in the way of your success. You must be prepared for the challenges, for they will surely come.
Come to think of it: There is always no resistance if you are not moving. Right? People who arent doing anything have nothing to worry about. If you don't want challenges or problems, just fold your arms and do nothing important in life. However, if you want to step out of your comfort zone to follow your vision and you face problems, you can boldly say, "I am moving forward".
In regards to the concept of persistence, Courage is another word. It is the ability to stand up in the face of fear. It is impossible, in fact to have courage without fear. This may sound like a strange statement, yet faith always demands that we do something we know we can't do on our own and this challenge often leads to fear at first.
When a person finds his purpose and then, if trouble comes, he can smile and say, "This won't last". "With God, I'm tougher than this". When you draw on God's strength, you are tougher than your trials because you see them from a whole new different light. You realise that every resistance to your vision gives you the opportunity to become wiser, not weaker but every opposition strengthens you rather than stop you. Under such circumstance, you should say, "Bring on the Challenges!"
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
There are many types and kinds of challenges and pressures in life than can hinder the achievement of our success or stand as a clog in the wheel of our progress. Some of these numerous problems include:
- Difficult Family Background
Here in Africa, this is often a common problem with most youths trying to make a headway in life. Poverty amongst many problems associated with family background is often times a serious setback.
Poverty most especially is the most devastating of all the family background related problems. For instance, it is common in Nigeria that a child who has a desire to get an education and become someone great in life is often discouraged by the financially handicapped nature of his/her parents or guardians who can't afford to give such a child qualitative education and as such, the child begins to give up on his or her dreams and begin to see bleak pictures of his future except he or she decides to defy all odds to become someone worthwhile in life. It is not easy to defy natural principles to attain success. Out of the 100% of people suffering from this setback, only 20% are able to rise up from disappointment to become someone in life. The remaining 80% just abandon their dreams and settle for a life of mediocrity and cenventionalism.
- Family Expectations
Do you feel pressured by family expectations to pursue a certain career or lifestyle when you know it is not God's will for you? You don't always have to wait until you are older or "have it all together" before you know God's will for your life. Perhaps your family have told you, "***You are going to do this! ***" but you feel you are called to do something else.
As difficult as it might be to experience the disapproval of family members, you must follow your vision ruggedly and doggedly and let your vision take priority over what people think or say about you. It is then and only then that achieveing success under such circumstances will be possible. At the same time, you should always show them love and respect.
BEAR UP UNDER PRESSURE
Perseverance actually means "to bear up under pressure". I like this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, which actually applies to all people: "A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong it is until it's in hot water". Here is a similar analogy: People who are successful are like tea bags. When they get in hot water, they make tea. When life squeezes them, they don't become angry, they do something constructive with the pressure. They persevere under it and use it to their own advantage. People who have vision are stronger than the pressure life often brings.
I have discovered that sometimes you don't get the scent from the rose until you crush it. Therefore, in order to draw the fragrance of His glory from your life, God will allow you to be put under stress and pressure. We forget too easily that character is formed by pressure.
I'm sure I've been able to inspire someone who is at the brink of giving up on his/her dreams with this piece.
SuccessTalks #2 is coming soon!
#Take charge of your life and achieve greatness
Kind Regards,
