It can be tough dealing with adversity in the workplace. Did you make a mistake that made your boss, superiors or colleagues look bad…and they now resent you(?) Or are you being harassed by negative minded co-workers jealous of your progress? This article offers you ideas you can use to move on to success!!

I recently posted the following quote by Jim Rohn, on my Facebook wall:

“Resolve says, ‘I will.’ The man says, ‘I will climb this mountain. They told me it is too high, too far, too steep, too rocky, and too difficult. But it’s my mountain. I will climb it. You will soon see me waving from the top or dead on the side from trying.'” — Jim Rohn

A friend – Efe Ohwofasa – came by and posted a question that I greatly appreciated, because answering it enabled me share insights into how I learnt to use adversity to succeed MORE!

Efe’s simple question was: “Tayo, how did you get to know about Jim Rohn?”

What Follows Below Is a Paraphrased – But More Elaborate – Version of the Answer I Gave Him

In 1997, I came across and began subscribing to the Success Digest Magazine. What attracted me to the publication was mainly the wealth of experience based articles by accomplished authors and experts from across the world.

In particular, I was really struck by the deep wealth of wisdom Jim Rohn offered in short article pieces he authored.

It was amazing.

He was always able to present any issue from a perspective that instantly helped the reader see the big and more important picture, to solve his/her problem.

But it was when I read his view about adversity, that I got hooked. And I’ve memorised a particular block of text taken from one of his books since then, that has helped me defeat EVERY mountain of difficulty.

When I first read those powerful words by that great man, I was still in paid employment, as a 27 year old trainee shift brewer, in a large manufacturing multinational.

I Was However an Unusual Kind of Trainee…

This was because right from my arrival in the brewery, I’d begun trying to change things, using my skills to introduce PC spreadsheet automation based changes.

This was especially with respect to routine data recording and report generation.

Unfortunately, not everyone liked my eager-beaver attempts to change things.

Some senior colleagues felt I was “moving too fast”. That I was a glory seeker etc.

One day, I was walking on the factory grounds, and as I went past a much older manager from another department, I greeted him.

He grunted a response, then suddenly called out to me saying: “Solagbade!”.

I stopped and replied: “Yes sir?”

Then he said: “You want to do what some people did in 5 years in 2 years ehn?”

That Day, I Realized My Actions Were Being Negatively Viewed By a Tiny Few…

But I did not know who was doing the talking, and why it seemed to be mostly negative.

Especially since my automated reporting applications were being used officially.

I started feel sorry for myself, and to complain to close friends and relatives outside work.

Then I Encountered Jim Rohn’s Words!

Luckily, I had my Success Digest magazine, and kept up the habit of reading it when back at home.

One day I read Jim Rohn’s above mentioned quote.

And it hit home!

I realized I could use the negativity to challenge myself to excel even more.

So I began to ignore snide remarks, and subtle attempts to put me down. Instead I focussed on looking for better ways to use my spreadsheet automation skills to improve the workplace.

One year later (1998), at least four of my applications were in use in my department(brewing). And the entire brewery was aware of it.

Not Long After, Other Departmental Heads Began Asking For My Help…

You must keep in mind that I was doing this “spreadsheet automation” business ALL in my spare time.

In other words, it was NOT part of my official role as per my job title/description. This was just a hobby/passion I willingly put to use at work, because I believe the changes would help the team.

I soon began to get rewards for my extra efforts to add value to the company.

For instance, in March 1998, I got nominated to act as Training and Technical Development  Manager (a senior role to that of brewers), ahead of senior colleagues who had never held the position.

I was only about 3 years old in the company.

I eventually got promoted to that position, and other great career advancement opportunities followed.

If I Had Not Learnt to Handle My Adversity, None of that Would Have Happened!

Jim Rohn’s writing opened my eyes to the hidden benefits of adversity.

I bought his books, and later joined his website mailing list, and I continue reading his writing till today!

In fact, about a year ago, I wrote a tribute to him and 4 others, who “made” me.

No matter what you’re going through at work (or in life), if you do what I did above – with intelligent persistence – you WILL turn your adversity into success!