Time for Taking Off

It is safe to say that every one of us has had those days when we feel like we are walking up the hill, against the wind, in the snow, barefoot.  This struggle is especially true when you are working hard to achieve your dreams.  You could be starting a new business, beginning a new position, writing a new book or just facing the challenges of the day.  Whatever it is that is making you feel that you are fighting a losing battle, take heart, anyone who has achieved success in life has also faced this problem.

"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes

off against the wind, not with it."

- Henry Ford

(1863-1947)

 Innovator/Businessman

               

The history of the great achievements of humankind has all faced trials and testing. I love studying history, especially that of great discoveries. My library has many books about Edison, the Wright Brothers, Benjamin Franklin and more. My thinking is, if I learn what they did to bring about their discoveries, I too can someday do great things. I am now 69 years old and have not given up on that dream.

If I could say, there was any one thing that all great men and women of history have in common; it would be that they all face great challenges. Each person had an uphill battle to face, and each made it to the top of the hill. How? They never gave up, and they all learned from their mistakes and failures.

                These trials and struggles you have gone through are not there to cause you pain or to punish you somehow.  They are just a part of the success process.  It is in the struggles that you learn.  It is when you fight the battles that you become more skilled and able to take on the next one.  In time, you start to see that you could have never achieved all you have done if it had not been that you prepared for the struggles you faced.

                Do not take your challenges as personal. That divine forces are at work to stop you from achieving your goals. That is not even close to being true. Challenges happen because when we venture into unknown and undiscovered areas, we have to learn from the start what to do and what is ahead. You do that by trial and error. I love the old story of the young man who sought the wisdom of the older man in town. It goes like this:

Young Man: How do I keep from making mistakes?

Old Man: Experience

Young Man: How do I get experience

Old Man: By making mistakes.

                I know that during the fight, to say, “This is all for your good” means very little.  However, that is the truth.  You can learn more and achieve more from that learning through struggles than you can from ease.  It is in the tough times of life, the times when you feel you are pushing against the wind that success if won.  And it is won.  Success is never just given to us or presented just because we deserve it.  Success only comes to those who will work hard to achieve it.  Success is a victory – and a sweet victory it is.

You can learn more about Personal Development from author and speaker, John Patrick Hickey.  To get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.    

© 2019 John Patrick Hickey. No part of this may be reprinted or published without the permission of the author.