I have been working with a number of clients that are facing periods of adversity right now and I had a morning recently that forced me to look at it more closely for myself.
There are big storms that blow through life somewhat unexpectedly despite our own best attempts to avoid them. It struck me as I wrestled my way through one of those days that it is really all in how one chooses to look at and face adversity that then defines how successfully one navigates the storm.
So here are the keys I came up with in the midst of the gale using the adversity as an acronym to remind me to embrace the learning while I persevered.
A = Accept the adversity versus avoiding it.
D = Direct your anger, frustration or fear toward doing something about it versus denying it.
V = Variety, be creative and try different things to change the outcomes.
E = Empathy, have it for the others around you who are also caught up in the adversity with you and for the people or things you judge are causing it.
R = Resiliency, you have to have it in these situations. If you are brittle you will snap and fail to respond. Find ways to flex, adapt and respond.
S = See yourself and the situation from afar. Get some perspective on the situation and seek support rather than staying in it alone.
I = I own it. It starts with being accountable for my part in it and I will do something about it. Don’t be a victim to it and wish it away or blame someone or something else for it.
T = Tenacity to see it through and trust yourself to get through it.
Y = You are and can be the leader to see your way through it. Be self-compassionate and courageous in and around yourself.
So try facing adversity differently going forward as chance to learn and grow as the leader you are.
If the acronym is too much to remember, perhaps one of these great quotes will help you face the next storm you need to weather with a sense of adventure and gratitude.
“A Smooth Sea never made a skillful sailor” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Don’t let your struggle become your identity.” – Ralston Bowles
“Adversity doesn’t create character, it reveals it.” – Vince Lombardi
“Adversity is opportunity in disguise.” – M Fox
“Adversity introduces a man to himself.” – Albert Einstein
