“Hardships, poverty and wants are the best incentives, and the best foundation, for the success of man.” -Bradford Merrill
There is a great deal of truth to this statement.
Though not all of the challenges we face in life will be met with open arms, they can be the very things that put our lives on a course to success. Those “bumps in the road” can become the motivation that is necessary to make something better.
If I never got fired from my job back in December of 2006 then I would not be working full-time from home right now. I would still be broke, working 40 hours a week, living paycheck to paycheck.
If there was no contrast, no good and bad, in situations, where would we find incentive to do something else? Do you remember your first job? What was it?
Perhaps you had a newspaper route and you used your bicycle, delivering papers at the crack of dawn. Maybe you were a babysitter for neighborhood children or you may even have walked dogs.
Are you still doing that job? Not likely. You have probably moved up since your first job and taken employment that has more responsibility and offers better pay.
It is also likely that you are no longer dating the first person you ever went out with and you have probably moved away from many people from your circle of friends that you had back in high school.
As a matter of fact, your hobbies and interests have probably evolved over the years to more “grown up” pursuits. This is good news, though; it means that you are experiencing growth.
Your life is intended to be a process of continuous growth and development. A static position is not desirable and it is not healthy. If you remain in one position for too long, it can leave you feeling restless and dissatisfied.
If you want to create more effective change in your life, you must feel some discontent with the way your life is at present. You likely already have done this. If so, you are halfway there.
It is that discontent, that restlessness that will push you to keep working and drive you to build something better, something more, in your life. It will keep you from losing faith and feeling defeated in your circumstances. It is what will stand between you and a lifetime of mediocrity.
It is important that you know that sticking your head in the sand and ignoring the problem will only exacerbate your situation and make your discontent even more evident and uncomfortable.
It is natural to at first resist the change by ignoring the discontent. Your comfort zone is so much more reliable with its predictable routines. The new and unfamiliar can be frightening and evoke anxiety.
There will come a time, however, when you will be forced to do something different. Your discontent will push you to take that first step and you will find that you are eager to embark on a journey into the unknown.
Suddenly, the uncertainty and discomfort of change will be viewed with excitement instead of trepidation because you will realize that the benefits of moving forward far outweigh what you gain by sticking with the status quo.
Think about things in your life that you have outgrown. Consider previous jobs, relationships and past habits. How did you finally find the courage to move on? What thoughts and attitudes motivated you to make changes?
Now apply that same information to your current situation. Which new experiences would you like to have and which you are willing to let go. Find your discontent, use it to make something better in your life and embark on the exciting adventure of growth!