I always like to check in with people about mid-way thru January to see how they are doing on their New Year’s Resolutions as this is the point when most people start to come off of the gas hard on their resolutions. It just happens. Life gets real again very fast after the holidays and back into defensive mode we go, fighting off the daily adversity and grind that fatigues us to no end leaving little in the emotional, physical or mental reservoirs to focus on all of those great ideas and resolutions that we came up with just 2 to 3 short weeks ago.
Come on everybody, we got this! I will share some tips that I believe will help all of us stay on point with our New Year’s goals and resolutions that can help us to achieve great things in 2020 and beyond. I’ll get to those tips below but before I do, let me share with you a “little bit” of adversity that came my way recently that could impact one of my athletic goals that I had set for myself in 2020.
My big athletic goal (yes, even at age 55, I still have Big Athletic Goals, don’t ask me why, I just do), but my big athletic goal in 2020 is to compete in November at the Ironman 70.3 World Triathlon Championships in Taupo, New Zealand. These championship events are big deals in the triathlon community requiring a qualification process which I was fortunate enough to achieve late last year. A 70.3 Ironman is half the distance of a normal Full Ironman Distance of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run. I have done plenty of Full Ironman Triathlon’s (Hawaiian Ironman 3x’s) so the 70.3 distance is far more manageable for me these days and quite honestly, a lot more fun.
Two weeks ago, while out running, a freak accident happened and I completely ruptured my right Quadricep Tendon and just like that, adversity hit. I had surgery on January 6th to repair the tendon. Even the best of my training didn’t prepare me for the knee surgery that will set me way back towards my goal this year. This was a very involved surgery (note: YouTube Quadricep Tendon Surgery Procedure and I hope you have a strong stomach). But what my training did prepare me for is how to deal with setbacks and adversity and keep moving forward.
While this is a very specific event that happened to me, we all experience some sort of large setback(s). In my opinion, character is revealed through hardships and we learn much by not staying down long when these hardships hit but by getting back up on our feet as fast as we can. I’m back on my feet now and moving forward, albeit very slowly at the moment.
In dealing with setbacks and adversity, I have created six tips that I believe will help me get to the starting line in New Zealand later this year. Will I get there? I really don’t know but I believe that I will. Whatever adversity you may be going through in your life right now, I hope these six tips will help you as well so come on this journey with me this year. Let’s help each other get to each and every starting line goal that we have set for ourselves, heck better yet, lets help each other get to every finish line that we aspire to achieve in 2020. Together we win!
6 Tips for Success in 2020 and Beyond:
1. Embrace Adversity
Growth only happens when we learn. When faced with adversity, you get you’re a chance to grow and learn. By looking at life’s challenges like the opportunities that they are is mentally preparing you to better meet your challenges head-on. “Challenges, uncomfortable as they may be, also afford us an incredible opportunity for learning,” Psychology Today stated. This popular magazine also says several studies now say embracing your problems increases well-being and helps us to rise above them*
Meeting your challenges with a positive mental approach is the best start to overcoming them.
2. Analyze It
Take a step back and analyze the problem facing you. If you can view the problem from above, you may get a clearer and more complete picture of the situation. It can be difficult to separate you and your problem, however, you need to gain the clarity only distance can provide.
Once you have a clear view of the whole picture, break it down into small parts. The easiest way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time, and small parts are much easier to digest!
Personally, I find it helpful to start a journal for those big problems, whether meeting a financial goal or a personal one. Seeing it in black and white will absolutely help you to manage the scale of it, and help you to analyze the situation clearly. I have already started my journal to Taupo with many pages completed.
3. Dismiss Victimhood
One coping strategy for avoiding the problems facing you is to ignore the problem altogether. This can work to minimize stress and conflict; however, it offers no benefit to you in the long run. By not embracing the issue, and choosing to not work on it, you are really just putting off the inevitable.
In the same way, by wringing your hands and saying “woe is me” you are in reality playing a victim, Generally speaking, this victim role is really just playing on the emotions of others to gain sympathy for your problems, instead of making a plan and handling it.
4. Plan to Recover
In tip 2 above, I discussed starting a journal to track each small goal. Define each small part, and then establish a timeline for each of the defined goals. Track your progress for each goal with specific, measurable, time-bound metrics established. This becomes your path to recovery.
As you continue further towards your goal, the best encouragement you can have is to look back, and read exactly how far you have come. If you need advice from an expert, this is the place you want to get an opinion. If your situation is medical ( like mine) show your journal to your doctor and physical therapist. If it is more financial, find a trustworthy advisor, or a recruiter for career advice. Whatever the problem you face, there is an expert out there who is trained and equipped to help you fine-tune your recovery plan.
5. Execute
Just like a hiking path, your path to recovery may have twists and turns you don’t expect. Some of the parts my come together quickly, while others may take even longer. The biggest key is to not give up!
Keep updating your journal throughout your journey. Plan for your goals to take these twists and turns. Revisit your recovery plan, and acknowledge your goals can modify or morph into something else. But with every step of modification, you are a step closer to the end, a step closer to your finish line!
6. Enjoy
Adversity isn’t as pleasant as say a day at the beach with your family. Here in Sarasota FL. I just love going to the beach with my family. But the happiest moments in my life generally tend to be ones that I am the most proud of. I am proud of my children, my family, my company’s success, the growth of the team members who work at HH Staffing but also, I am proud when I finish a race or achieve a new business goal. I am at my best when I am helping others and incorporate it into my and my team’s goals. Planning and executing that plan gives a tremendous sense of satisfaction for a job well done. And that satisfaction is just as enjoyable as a day at the beach so don’t let adversity get you down, there is a lot in life out there to enjoy.
Bringing It All Together,
Life has adversity and setbacks. Things happen that we don’t expect, and we have to adapt. That’s a given for everyone. What is not a given is how you handle it. Have faith, laugh a little at it, and believe you will come out a better and stronger person, in the end, no matter where your path leads you. Let’s all get to those finish lines together in 2020!
Until Next Time,
Your Staffing Partner, Darrin Rohr- President, CEO and Chief Servant
Current owner of HH Staffing and Former Chief HR Officer for several successful Multinational Fortune 500 Companies. Brings fresh perspective from decades of experiences creating Great Workplace Cultures by building high performance teams while leading and managing people from all different backgrounds. HH Staffing is headquartered in Sarasota, Florida and is uniquely positioned to serve both local and national clients.
