3 Tactics for Turning Adversity Into Growth

I recently heard Nick Saban reflecting on a speech he overheard Woody Hayes, the famed Ohio State Head Football Coach, giving his left tackle as they were preparing to play the #1 Michigan Wolverines. Michigan had lost two games and was a 17-point underdog.

Coach Hayes said, "There can be no great victories without tremendous adversity."

No truer words have ever been spoken.

And here's the really hard part about this - no one likes to face adversity that seems insurmountable. No one likes losing their job, dipping into their savings to live, or moving their family because of unforeseen circumstances.

But you know what? Tremendous adversity can lead to outsized growth - if you are willing to engage with it.

When I am faced with adversity, I do two things:

#1 Give it to God

Peace is a priceless commodity when stress is mounting, and I've found that I can only have true peace in this life through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

#2 Control the Controllables

After I give it to the Lord, and I mean really make my worries His concerns, then it's time for me to do my job!

Here are 3 things I can control:

1. Effort

• Stable & Consistent

• Unmatched focus & intensity

1. Mindset

• I own my response to the challenge

• I talk to myself and don't listen to myself

• I own it, and I don't take on a victim mentality

1. Preparation

• I do the hard work to overcome the obstacle - reports, sales, whatever it is

• Take care of my body: eat, sleep, exercise and repeat

I'll finish by saying this:

Champions control what they can and adapt to what they can't.

Give it to God, and get to work!

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