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NB: This newsletter is published every Monday. Point your browser to www.tayosolagbade.com/sdnuggets to read at least ONE new post added to my SD Nuggets blog on a different category from Tuesday till Saturday (sometimes even Sundays) in line with this publishing schedule
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IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS newsletter is published online on the "reincarnated" version of my Self-Development (SD) Nuggets blog. I continue to put finishing touches to the content. If you encounter ANY bad/dead links, and you can spare the time, email it to me via tayo at tksola dot com. Thanks in advance

No. 149: To Succeed, Use Adversity To Become More Creative

Yesterday (6th July 2014) was my 44th birthday. While reflecting, this quote awoke memories in me:

"When man… is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; he has been put on his wits, on his manhood, he has gained facts, learns from his ignorance, is cured of the insanity of conceit; has got moderation and real skill.” – Emerson

To get where I am today “I have been sorely tested”: to paraphrase James R. Cook.

By this I mean I have suffered great visitations of adversity for prolonged periods.

No exaggeration.

For those who are curious, THAT "adversity" is what has “COOKED” me into the relentless achiever I am today.

Adversity Is Indeed a “Shrewd Instructor”!

Yes it is. And so are other forms of adversity we encounter in pursuit of success. Again, hat tip to Mr. James Cook, from his New York Times bestselling book “The Start-up Entrepreneur”.

Actually, he was referring to “frequent bad experiences” entrepreneurs undergo, especially in the early years. And he meant that they had a way of forcing people to make PERSONAL changes crucial for them to “qualify” to achieve at a higher level.

In my language (Yoruba) we have a saying that supports the above…

It goes thus: “Eni ti iya o je ni ko gbon”

Contextual Translation: “Only a person who has not experienced adversity or suffering remains unwise/lacking in creativity”.

There is also the English saying about necessity being the mother of invention.

When we lack access to something we value, the psychological and physical “suffering” that comes of it, can drive us to create and innovate – to meet our needs.

But that is for those who choose to do so. Some people decide to resign themselves to “fate”.

Consider the experience of Richie Parker, the armless computer engineering genius who designs components for race cars that have won 7 NASCAR championships.

He was born without arms. Yet, today he excels at world class level as a computer engineer, who designs car components in the most challenging field of car racing!

Using his FEET on a modified mouse and keyboard to design car components. Driving his own car, modified, under his guidance, to allow him use his feet to control the steering wheel! (Click here to watch the ESPN video interview)

NB: You can download my PowerPoint slideshow version of his interview from www.tayosolagbade.com

Where On Earth Did He Get The Ideas to Modify Things Like That?

It’s simple. He refused to accept that he had no choice.

Instead, he used the “adversity” imposed by his lack of arms inspire him to THINK of a way to get around that limitation.

Without “adversity” it is unlikely his creativity would have become so finely honed as to enable him beat other “normal” candidates who reportedly applied for the position of computer design engineer at the company that employed him.

In Essence, Exposure to Adversity Stimulates Creativity…If The “Sufferer” Embraces The Opportunity!

I’m living proof of this.

For many years from 2002, when I became an entrepreneur, I got repeatedly exposed to severe lack of money, frequent personal hardships, and periodic humiliation.

What I did was to take the advice in books by James Cook and Napoleon Hill, to let those experiences challenge me to find creative ways to advance towards my goals.

In reflecting on the growing success I now enjoy, it’s obvious, to me, that those experiences of adversity have made me…

When you have to go on without having enough money to do anything, you either learn to develop creative ways to achieve your goals, or you quit (…ehm or you go crooked).

Question: When you don’t have money to print flyers and send out print letters, and you need to promote your products and services, what to do?

Question: When you run out of fuel in your car, and there’s no money to take a bus…yet you need to get to a client’s premises to pick up payment for last week’s talk, what to do?

The answer to both – and other such questions: THINK up creative alternatives. I had to do that countless times.

Ask my kids, my parents or siblings. I have made it clear I’m comfortable with having my story told. Those who attend my speaking events will hear many MANY humorously told – but simultaneously sobering – stories

Final Words: Adversity Has Trained Me to Creatively Develop Real World Relevant Solutions

It’s very rarely how much money, but the quality of ideas you have, that will determine your success.

Indeed, sometimes your ideas will get you the money you need!

When things start going wrong, I often jokingly tell myself: “Looks like it’s LEARNING time!”

Then I dig in, and actively search for the lesson as things unfold. And after it’s over, I make a point of putting it to use.

It may manifest in form of a new product or service I subsequently launch. I may come up with ways to get more done, with much less in some area of useful relevance.

This is why clients often like work I do for them.

They see me delivering MORE value to them than they pay for.

If you want to enjoy constant growth in your personal or work life, I urge you to do the same!

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Have a great week :-))

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