Dr. Patty Ann and Mitch in NY Harbor
The climb toward success in your business, your career, or your organization was never guaranteed to be a quiet stroll in the park. All along the way there will be obstacles. Something will always go wrong or not work out as planned. This is a key part of moving into the success mode. It is not just solving the immediate crisis that is important. It is how you handle the crisis and what your behavior is like. Crisis can impact your reaction to areas of your business, your life, and people you come into contact with. The test is the same regardless of your position as a CEO of a large organization, in charge of a small business, a busy professional or an entrepreneur.
There are a variety of places to find inspiration. The type of inspiration that you keep inside of you as a resource when you are in a moment of wondering, “Why do I bother? What am I doing all of this for?”
It’s times like these when you want to have an inspiring thought to grab onto that clears negative thoughts from your mind and resets you back onto your path toward success, and your drive of being the best at what you do.
A recent event held by The Wounded Warriors displayed one of these moments for me.
Statue Of Liberty, New York City
Allow me to share this with you. There were 42 service men and women who had injuries, most of them very recent which would, by any standard, be considered devastating and life changing. In order to be clear, without the specific details, these are injuries where an arm, a leg, or both were lost, heavy burns, missing fingers, a hand and more. In addition, every single person was young, really young.
Each of them had a similar attitude and interest in continuing to serve, to perform, to function and to make a difference in the world. How this plays out for each person is not known right now as these injuries were all recent. The key is in the attitude. There was not a ‘pity me’ anywhere to be found. Everything was about a new door opening.
A new opportunity was being presented. A reason they were chosen to be in this role
and what were they going to do with it. It is one thing to hear or read these stories in the media, it is entirely different to be with these inspirational young people and hear right from their mouths of their intentions and their view of life.
If you find this story to give you a level of inspiration try to reflect on it when you are finding things not working and obstacles getting in your way. Think of these young people who will let nothing get in their way.
You are meant to be successful, let nothing get in your way.
I love your final thought “You are meant to be successful, let nothing get in your way.”
Those who choose to be a victor instead of a victim in life are those that succeed in their own terms. They also discuss ideas…
“Great minds discuss ideas. Stuck minds discuss past events. Simple minds discuss other people.”
Heidi,
Why do you think so many people fall into the trap of playing the victim?
Mitch
Because it’s easier in the short term!
Wow – “Each of them had a similar attitude and interest in continuing to serve, to perform, to function and to make a difference in the world”.
Very inspiring – thanks Mitch
Trudy
Trudy,
These young men and women were really an inspiration to be around.
Mitch
Thanks for sharing this inspiring story, Mitch. It does give the proper perspective when facing small problems that seem like “obstacles.”
Patricia,
Yes, it was my goal to frame the picture without frightening anyone such that the point of the story was inspiration and not fear. We must face our obstacles as we must face our fears. It is with our positive mindset, endless energy,
and being surrounded by like minded people, we will be successful in everything we take on.
Mitch
Lately I’ve been reading about people who have had traumatic accident that causes a great deal of pain. It’s interesting to me that once the pain is “accepted” and the focus becomes living life along with it the pain levels almost always decrease. Thanks for sharing this story – inspiring!
Sue
Sue,
It is often the only way to move forward. It is truly an inspiration to witness.
Mitch
You got that right, Mitch – attitude is everything! Thanks for the reminder!
Thank you for the inspiration, Mitch. I too, love the last line.
Tiffany,
Sometimes to feel you will and you are, you just need to hear it or read it from someone else. I know everyone who is reading this blog has what it takes to be the best they wish to be. Don’t you?
Mitch
Everything is a choice … we can choose to wallow or we can choose to wow!
I have one journal that is ONLY for keeping notes that inspire me. It is separate from all of my other notebooks and journals. In it I put all of the quotes, notes, sayings, people, and stories that I find inspiring. I review the notes I take from conferences and put the best stuff in there … so when I need to be inspired, I always have a meaningful place to look!
Jennifer Bourn, Bourn Creative
Jennifer,
You are right there. Yes this is great. Let us all vow to always keep it real and we will. Right?
Mitch
Very inspiring Mitch, thank you for sharing the experience. A great reminder – Attitude is everything!
Debbie,
Genuine, authentic, personal and open reality, with a great attitude!
Absolutely.
Mitch