In one of my previous blog posts I touched on my journey of picking up the pieces after a disappointing setback. Eventually I had to suck it up, take control and embrace the fact that in the words of my man @GaryVee: “Battle Scars are Attractive”
I was a pleasure to be around before I learned that lesson.
Actual old footage I found – I’m on the right. Everyone else in the world on the left.
I remember during a period when things were not going as planned, every day when I drove to my office I’d play this song in my car to zen me out and prepare me for the day:
Big up Chimney Records every time! *Shameless plug*
That one little ritual was such a key part of getting me in the right frame of mind to attack the day and keep trucking.
Here’s 5 things I’ve learned from major setbacks I’ve experienced which can apply in business or in life in general:
1. I have bad news about crying and complaining…
Nobody. Gives. A. F*ck
When sh*t hits the fan, the people that are truly there for you will be revealed. They will be there to listen, to console you, to help if they can, to give advice and motivate you.. But very importantly they will be there when it’s time to finally give you the push to stop throwing a pity party and MOVE ON.
One of those persons for me is my dad. If you know me then you know that I am the ultimate family person but moreso the ultimate daddy’s girl. I literally take everything he says as gospel and I am convinced he has more integrity than most in his little finger. He’s the smartest, most intuitive, wisest, selfless… just the best God damn human being in the world (he ties with my mum, but I digress…) I could go on and on about my parents but I’ll save that for another post.
I’ll never forget the day he called me into his office after a period of me sulking and ruminating on something negative that happened. He sat me down and looked at me with that serious-daddy-look and said: “You need to stop looking in your rear-view mirror, time to start focusing on the future. I will help you.” That was a game-changer for me as simple as the advice was. Instead of enabling me, he gently guided me in the direction I needed to focus on going- Forward. Enough bitching and complaining… Time to refocus and GET SHIT DONE.
Greatness comes from Adversity
We’ve all had our fair share of disappointments in life, but as I mentioned in my last blog post setbacks are learning experiences that help to make you stronger and more resilient.
Some of my biggest disappointments in life have been followed by my greatest accomplishments. #TheBestIsYetToCome… If you’re patient and put in the work.
3. Work is the variable of success
My grandpa told me once that this was his favourite quote and it really stuck with me:
My man GV always says- “No one outside of being handed it on a silver platter by their parents has become a success without putting in the work.”
It’s not about luck, circumstance or talent… It’s about putting your head down and WORKING.
4. Follow your gut
All I’m saying is that if something doesn’t feel right, it’s because it ain’t right, k?
5. This
If you’ve ever been burned by someone in work, relationships, friendships or life in general and you need advice on how to heal and embrace your battle scars, read this-
