Online Reporter
Rutendo Gwatidzo
Changing Perspectives
Adversity is one word that often feels like a relentless storm, battering our spirits and shaking our foundations.
It is a condition where you find things working against you whether due to circumstances, bad luck or challenging events. Whichever reason, the bottom line is that adversity is not easy to handle.
The Nightmare!
Imagine finding yourself in a situation that you hope to last a day or two, only to realise that the situation is long term. It is often easy to lose sight of things when going through difficult situations.
As such, often times a significant number of people wish adversity away. For a very long time I used to be one of those who tried by all means to avoid and run away from adversity until I had nowhere to run to. It’s like everywhere I turned, adversity was waiting. I found myself in great disappointment and depression until I learnt to accept adversity as a part of life.
Instead of taking it negatively all the time, I changed my perspective and started seeing the other side of adversity.
One author once said, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” This profound insight underscores the idea that adversity can serve as a catalyst for personal evolution.
I discovered that, within the chaos, lies opportunities for growth and transformation often times. For instance, I wrote both my books after going through many challenges, little did I know that the books were going to open certain opportunities for me.
Moreover, the experiences of what I went through brought me growth and new opportunities. Do not shy away from dealing with adversity once it comes your way.
The Lessons!
When faced with challenges, we might initially feel overwhelmed or defeated. However, it’s crucial to recognise that every struggle carries with it a lesson waiting to be learned.
The process of reflecting on our experiences can illuminate the silver linings that often go unnoticed. For instance, consider the story of Colonel Harland Sanders (the founder of KFC fast foods) who persevered in the face of many challenges and started KFC business at the age of 65.
His story is one of resilience and ability to turn adversity into a global fast-food empire.
Adversity comes with many benefits often unnoticed. It can deepen our empathy. When we endure hardships, we develop a better understanding of the struggles of others.
This connection can inspire us to act with kindness and compassion, creating a ripple effect that uplifts those around us. For example, individuals who have faced significant challenges often become advocates for change, using their stories to inspire and empower others.
Think About It!
In moments of hardship, it’s crucial to pause and ask ourselves: What can I learn from the situation? Embrace the discomfort however, do not become comfortable with it.
Allow yourself to rediscover things about yourself that you probably did not know until provoked by adversity. Actively seeking meaning in our challenges can transform our perspective, allowing us to view adversity not as a barrier but as a stepping stone.
Additionally, cultivating a growth mindset can be incredibly beneficial. This mindset encourages us to approach challenges with curiosity rather than fear.
Allow me to bring this topic in the workplace. As a human capital executive I find myself dealing with adversity in the workplace more often than other areas of my life.
Organisational Status
One of the challenges in many organisations is that of having teams that are not able to face adversity and to deal with it. Many are times when employees and managers alike give up on a good project, job position or opportunity due to failure to tackle challenges.
The sad part is that of seeing someone who would have been part of the organisation from its inception stage giving up at a point when breakthrough will be like an inch away. Failure to evolve has been one of the reasons why long serving employees give up.
One of the reasons why most companies do strategic workshops annually or even quarterly for others is because of the change of seasons and demands.
For instance, the strategy that probably worked while the business was one-year-old, in as much as it was effective, it might not work when the business is two years old because the dynamics would have changed. The inability to adapt and adjust usually cause a good number of employees and managers to fail to tackle challenges and give up. Be challenged and encouraged to evolve, the world is not static.
Remember, every challenge is an invitation to rise stronger and wiser, increasing your success opportunities. Embrace your journey, and find the meaning that lies within the adversities you face.
Some, got promoted as a result of being able to handle challenges and others became business owners, just to mention a few. Be inspired to allow adversity to unleash the greatness inside of you.
Rutendo Gwatidzo is a human capital executive as the Managing Consultant at The HUB HR Consultancy. She is a multi-award winning business leader, Transformational Speaker and Coach. She is also the author of Born to Fight and Breaking the Silence books. Contact details – 0714575805/ [email protected]/ Rutendo Gwatidzo_Official fb public page
Peter Tanyanyiwa