Converting Challenge and Adversity to Your Advantage
Written by:
Carson Tang
Article Overview: Want a shortcut to success? Model yourself in the image of those who have proved to themselves repeatedly to surpass and exemplify success. I learned that the successful are just ordinary people like you and I, although there is there are a few things that make them different - 1) their mindset; and 2) their knowledge. From this power platform they make non emotional and extraordinary decisions in their lives.
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Free Download - Traits for Winners and Whiners By Carson Tang
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Converting Challenge and Adversity to Your Advantage
Leadership is about one’s ability to turn challenges they are faced with into opportunities. One could be raised in a poverty and let this experience create the meaning within them that they can never be a celebrity or someone great. On the other hand someone who is in that same situation or worse may decide they are destined to be great or that what they have been through they will never allow themselves to endure throughout life again. The first person sees their circumstance as a challenge with no escape nor solution. The second person uses their challenges to create awareness and build a fulcrum to gain results in their life. The environment is the same, the people are the same, and the situation is the same but the outcomes are completely polar opposites. The difference is how they see the world and their own situation.. their perception of what is happening around them and to them.
Oprah Winfrey was a little girl living in poverty who was raped and molested early in life. Instead of being bitter to the world and reliving the torment she endured she decided to make sure this would never happen to anyone for as long as she was able. As you know she has built an empire and is one of the richest most philanthropic women in the world today. She has taken her challenges and adversity and not interpreted them as her being a victim but as a harbinger to her as to what her mission in life will be. How profound is that?
If you were rafting down the mighty Colorado River and there in the river appeared a huge boulder blocking your path. What would you do? Most people would do nothing except shut their eyes wide open or turn back. Instead of changing the course they can control. Not many learn to be mountaineers let alone attempt climbing even a small mountain not requiring special gear. These lessons tested at Carson Worldwide where we summit marketing mountains many see as insurmountable and where many never follow through to completion show a path to those who build a success formula of not fearing failure and giving it your all at full throttle. The rare few who make the decision to learn how to take life to the next level, who climb mountains just because they are there have a mindset unconquerable and determined. Successful people and those incredibly successful challenge and defy obstacles. They in turn learn new skills and build confidence to be able to engage and conquer any similar challenges in the future.
What are your challenges? Are they real or perceived and what are you willing to do about them?
Here’s a tip to start:
Create a list in areas you want to improve, whether business, personal growth or even relationships.
Think out of the box for 10 minutes. See the challenge and see yourself conquering that challenge and celebrating.
The magic moments and memories from your experiences are what ground your beliefs into powerful subconscious activators to create momentum and a winning attitude each time you recall them. Your decisions for what you do and don’t do are the cornerstones of belief. They are the dare you are confronted with where you must breakthrough to discover your destiny and achieve it.
Limiting beliefs are destructive. Your mind sees everything even what is in your mind as real. See your challenge as real before even confronting it and you are already lost.
Think about this: what decisions have you make in your past?
Do these decisions serve your purpose or work against your growth and outcomes?
What is holding you back from taking action in your life now?
Leaders so often are looked up as gods high on an untouchable throne as though they have omnipotent and exclusive powers only known to them they were born with. Being conscious of the decisions on a day-to-day basis, and consciously “choosing” the responses or reactions to
your situations in life give you too the godlike ability as you see others you believe untouchable.
Do this and you set yourself on a path to success and greatness. Challenges are only distractions, action is your reality and outcomes are your destiny. Take charge now!
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Related Forum Posts
Rockin'!
- I think the posts on here are really stimulating with a wide range of topics that will suit most people.
Personally, I can't comment on all the topics as, well, to be truthful, I don't know much about some of the things.
What I have found is that the group is generative with ideas and solutions and above all - and this is vital in a forum - supportive of each other without being negative about the actions of others.
Challenge is one thing, the comments you sometimes read on some forums to tear the guts out of people is unhelpful.
The community here makes it a good place.
Thank you.
Getting Started In Your New Internet Business
- I always think it’s fun and exciting to start a new Internet business. I know for me that I would do something that I’m interested and passionate about. Otherwise the new venture doesn’t last for long. As it’s just as important to have passion, motivation and interest, there are a few areas that help me succeed in business.
Promoting Your Internet Business
I would call this the “show me the money” part of the business. Without money or income, there is no business. Therefore it’s important to promote your business and turn your promotional activities into sales. At every opportunity, try to promote your business through passive means: e.g. through your stationary, letterheads, emails, brochures and any other promotional material you may use. Even if it’s just an article you write for a directory, remember to put your website address at the bottom of it. In the past, I made stickers of my logo that I could easily stick on my products. Also I made sure that every email I sent out to a customer had a company logo in it. This all helps with creating the brand for the business.
It’s crucial to develop a marketing plan that will not only sell your products, but also your brand. Here are some other articles I recommend to read to help you promote your Internet business:
* Spreading The Word: Turbocharge Your Traffic
* Converting Traffic Into Sales Part 1: Generating Leads
* Converting Traffic Into Sales Part 2: Profiting From The Back-End
* 12 Sales Effective Marketing Tips
Operating Your Business
This is the “lifeblood” of the business and I’m amazed at the amount of businesses that still operate without having good systems in place. An electrician I use from time to time asked me how I maintain my book work and said he doesn’t know how to do it. I was shocked because I’d known him to be trading for over 2 years and he probably doesn’t know how much money is being made in his business or let alone lost. What I am saying is to not be like my Electrician friend and make sure you buy an accounting software to track all your accounts and paperwork. I would suggest hiring a book keeper because it will save you the hassle and time of doing it all yourself. Some good software packages out there that are under $500 like MYOB Accounting and QuickBooks will be more than sufficient when you start out.
Another area that most people forget or get caught out on are getting the appropriate insurances for your business. The most common are public liability insurance, fire, burglary, vehicle and workers compensation insurance. All these can be easily found via a quick search on Google. I would recommend ensuring both public liability and fire insurances are in place before even running your business.
Keeping Pace And Staying Up To Date
This may sound all too overwhelming when you have to promote, operate your business and keep up to date with your industry. Believe me it’s not as hard as it sounds. Take the first step and join a trade association or your local Chamber of Commerce. You will find it both informative and beneficial to your business. To know what is happening in your area and within your industry can help you make better decisions for promoting your product or service. Whether it may be time to change a product line or add more services to your business, you will be keeping up with the industry and making sure you are not missing out on opportunities. Also it’s a great way to network and promote within your trade associations and Chamber of Commerce. Simply write an article to contribute and it can be used as great public relations (P.R) for your business.
Also I emphasise to have a well prepared business plan created before starting your business, because this will be your starting point. A business plan is useful for so many areas for your business from sourcing finance to implementing a growth strategy for the next 5 years. Once it’s written down, it will become a living breathing document that you can update and review over time. I’ve just finished preparing my business plan for this business which took nearly 3 weeks to complete but I can tell you that it is well worth the time and effort to do. Learn how to put your own business plan together and I can guarantee you that you’ll get finance and negotiate business deals much easier.
The Future Of Your Internet Business
Starting your Internet Business is rewarding and if you look into those areas I have mentioned, then you will have a good foundation to running a successful Internet Business. Take action today and know that you deserve to live your dream.
Tyrone Shum
Internet Business Coach
Self Development Tips
- I find this old article about self development and very liked it. I think here a lot practical rules!
As long as you are still alive, you are capable of changing and growing. You can do anything you want to do, be anything you want to be. Listen to some positive thoughts on how to continue your self development and then apply them in your own life.
1. Accept personal responsibility for your own growth; no one can do it for you. What you do today will determine your readiness for tomorrow.
2. Take time every day to do something for yourself.
3. Take classes to stay current in your field of expertise. The world is changing rapidly and you must learn to manage change to avoid obsolescence. The way Will Rogers put this was that "Even if you are on the right track, if you just sit there you will get run over."
4. Listen to cassette tapes on personal and professional growth topics.
5. Never look back to the past - you only can control your actions in this instant, so what should you be doing right now?
6. Learn from "other people's experience" rather then having to try everything for yourself. It shortens the time needed to learn.
7. Dealing with a problem helps you learn patience and strengthens your management skills; it is good mental exercise.
8. Analyze, in a non-judgmental way, mistakes in which you were involved. It will help you to prevent these in the future.
9. Reward yourself when you catch yourself working on the most important priorities.
10. Never say something can't or won't be done. Keep looking for ways to do it.
11. After attending a seminar, report to your boss or other people in your organization, what the most important things are that you learned from the program.
12. Eliminate one time waster a week from your life.
13. Read a minimum of one chapter of a book a day.
14. Read a minimum of one book a month.
15. Be hungry for what life has to offer and go for it.
16. Decide what you really desire to do - then do it.
17. When you have the option of reading a book or listening to the cassette tape version of the program, listen to the tape. It will be more to the point and can be done while you are driving, jogging/walking, or getting other routine things done.
18. Develop a "master mind" group of four or five people with whom you can openly discuss ideas in a nonjudgmental way.
19. Develop yourself as a resource for others by networking. Find out who does what, when, and for whom. You may find excellent contacts for your future needs and for the needs of others you meet.
20. Work for balance in your life goals: family, financial, professional, social, spiritual, recreational.
21. Always keep your goals in mind as you start a new activity.
22. If you do a lot of work with the calculator, run the machine with the hand you don't use for writing.
23. Do not be afraid of failing at something. You can learn and change as a result of it.
24. The most difficult projects are opportunities for your biggest successes just as the most difficult people could become your strongest allies.
25. Put up pictures of your dreams and goals where you will see them frequently. They will remind you and aid you in focusing and visualizing your goal.
26. We all have the same 24 hours in a day. Learn from those people who get more done than you do. Perhaps you can find a way to improve what you are doing.
27. Find a nonjudgmental mentor who will help you by providing feedback, suggestions, challenges and support.
28. Identify some "models" and observe their style and actions. Do not copy them but learn from their experiences.
29. Learn from the errors you see others make as well as from their successes.
30. Fill your mind with positive ideas, thoughts and inspirations and you will have no room left for the negative.
31. Trade jobs with someone so you gain additional experience.
32. Ask for and accept lateral moves in the organization so you learn more about the entire operation.
33. Do more than your "self doubts" say you can.
34. Have confidence that you can get through and learn from anything and everything you experience.
35. Reward yourself with a treat when you have completed a learning objective.
36. Keep a daily journal, recording your thoughts, ideas, feelings and personal growth progress.
37. Ask questions, listen, then ask more questions. You will learn as well as help others learn.
38. Ask yourself, "How can I manipulate my fate?"
39. Do things with someone you respect. They will be supportive of you and you will learn from interacting with them.
40. Seek new information on projects for which you have responsibility. Look for new "ah ha" ideas all the time.
41. Challenge yourself to learn something new every day.
42. Remain flexible and constantly adaptable.
43. Be open to others and sincerely interested in them. You can learn from everyone you meet.
44. Mentally rehearse a new skill. Your subconscious does not know the difference between actual practice and mental rehearsal.
45. Keep a record of what you accomplished the previous day(s)/week. If you did not accomplish as much as you wanted, it gives you extra incentive to do better in the next time period.
46. Make notes of the questions you want answered. Then as the answers come to you, jot them down next to the question.
47. Work on overcoming personal, nonproductive habits; for example: overeating, smoking, gossip.
48. Keep an "Idea File" ring binder or notebook in which you record all new ideas. At least once a week in a standing appointment with yourself, review your ideas.
Very interesting to know other practical self development tips.
Julia Hartz of Eventbrite.com
- Julia Hartz
December 16th, 2008
Co-Founder & President
Eventbrite.com
As gigs go, Julia Hartz had a good one. While the rest of her twenty-something peers were merely watching MTV, Julia was working for the network in series development, producing wildly popular shows such as Jackass, Real World and Sorority Life. After two years there she took a job at FX. Nip Tuck, The Shield, Rescue Me-Julia was right in the thick of the hottest shows on TV.
But in a dramatic move that would make her fictional characters proud, Julia gave it all up for a man. At least it looked that way on the surface. Actually she always knew working in LA would be short-lived so when her long-distance boyfriend Kevin proposed, she headed to San Francisco. And the TV-like saga continued.
Not knowing whether they could live together, let alone work together, Julia and Kevin nonetheless launched Eventbrite, a do-it-yourself online event management and ticketing service, in 2005. Their relationship and their company thrived. Today Julia and Kevin are married, have a ten month old daughter, and can proudly say that though Eventbrite began as a small start-up, it has transacted millions of tickets to date. Talk about happily ever after.
What we learned from Julia: In the start-up environment you’re wearing many hats. But if you want to grow, you’ve got to delegate. Hire good people and trust them to do their jobs. The most successful entrepreneurs are those who can relinquish well.
Learning the Ropes
Landing an internship at MTV was exciting. But being hired full time was even more so. There I was at 22 working on Jackass. It was amazing. When I moved to FX I was the youngest member and the only woman on a five-person executive team working on shows like Nip Tuck and The Shield. It was like a start-up; we all wore different hats. I learned to speak up and go with my gut. I built a foundation of knowledge and confidence that I still rely on today.
Heading Home
I left FX and headed to northern California to be with my fiancé Kevin. What a cliché. But I always knew FX would be short-lived. Yes I loved the creative process and meeting lots of new people but I never intended to stay in LA. I moved to San Francisco in the fall of 2005 to start Eventbrite with Kevin. We laugh about it now but at the time this was a big risk. We went from a long-distance relationship to living and working together. We had no idea how this dynamic would play out. Obviously it worked. We’re married and have a ten-month old.
Born to Bootstrap
I’m a planner. Plans make me happy. But when we started Eventbrite I had to give that up. I learned to take it one month at a time which was a huge growing experience for me. It was just the two of us in a conference room using saw horses and slabs of wood for desks. Boy were we bootstrapping it. All of our income went back into the business. We were our own bosses so we could do that.
Start-Up Central
We were occupying a small section of a much larger space that our land lord told us we could use. We filled it with other start-ups. At one point there were ten start-ups in there. The energy was amazing. This was where we built our company.
Starting Out Strong
We wanted to build a strong foundation from the very beginning so we focused on providing a great product. We figured either we would end up with the eBay of online ticketing or just a great small family business. Either way we weren’t going to skimp. We weren’t taking salaries and we didn’t use outside funding. We were incredibly capital-efficient. Our only hire was a CTO who lived in France. We focused on our product and growing the business during the day in the United States while he slept, and he built the technology while we slept. You can’t get more efficient than that.
The Customer Challenge
Our biggest challenge was customer acquisition because it wasn’t readily obvious how we would market our product. But because we provided world-class customer service, word of mouth was huge. We didn’t find search engine marketing to be very helpful in the beginning because we were too small for it to be effective. It’s kind of a catch-22. We had to grow first before we could use a tool that was supposed to help us grow.
Balancing Business and Baby
As a mother and a business owner I do get anxious now and then because I care so passionately about both roles. But I work from home sometimes so I can be with my daughter. I love to watch her climb out of her crib and make a break for it. We spend our down-time as a family. And Kevin and I have Wednesday date nights. Sometimes we’re practically sleeping in our salads but this time is sacred.
This Featured Lady was profiled by Ladies Who Launch Associate Editor Susie Lacey.
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