How do you face adversity and challenges? I heard a story over the weekend that made me rethink how I should face difficult situations.
Rory Vade, author and coach, wrote a book entitled Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success. He explains that "problems that are procrastinated are only amplified."
Below is a retelling of a story from his book, which explains how ultra-performers face difficult challenges:
Colorado is most famous for the Rocky mountains, but most people do not realize that the state is divided into two distinct landscapes: mountains and plains. Because of this unique combination of terrain, Colorado is one of the few places in the world where buffalo and cows live in close proximity.
As storms build in the Rocky mountains then start to move towards the eastern plains of Colorado, we are given an two drastically different examples of how to handle adversity.
A cow's response to the approaching storm is very natural, but albeit foolish. When cows see a storm, they turn away from the storm and head in the opposite direction making all efforts to out run the storm. Cows can not outrun storms! So instead of decreasing the amount of pain and suffering (the goal), cows instead increase the amount of difficulties and challenges they face by running at the same pace as the storm (the problem).
A buffalo's response is quite different. Instead of running away from the storm, buffalo run into the storm. Just like the cow, a buffalo will be battered by the initial wave of rain and wind. Just like the cow, the buffalo will be wet and tired. But unlike the cow, the buffalo decreases the amount of pain and suffering by moving through the storm instead of moving with the storm.
As we face challenges when need to consider what approach we should take:
- Do we procrastinate addressing issues and concerns in lives which amplifies the impact of the problems we face?
- Or do we face problems head on and move on with life?
I choose to be a buffalo! I want to invite you to you me. Leave a comment below if you choose to join me!
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Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success
Image Sources:
1 - https://pixabay.com/en/yellowstone-national-park-wyoming-1589613/
2 - https://pixabay.com/en/bison-buffalo-herd-wildlife-1581895/
3 - https://pixabay.com/en/bull-cow-animal-farm-agriculture-2438032/