I told my friend Graham that I often cycle the two miles from my house to the town centre, but unfortunately, there is a big hill on the route. He replied, "You mean fortunately." He explained that I should be glad of the extra exercise that the hill provided.
My attitude to the hill has now changed. I used to grumble as I approached it, but now I tell myself: This hill will exercise my heart and lungs. It will help me lose weight and get fit. It will mean that I live longer. This hill is my friend. Finally, as I wend my way up the incline, I console myself with the thought of all those people who pay money to go to a gym and sit on stationary exercise bicycles when I can get the same value for free. I have a smug smile of satisfaction as I reach the top.
Problems are there to be faced and overcome. We cannot achieve anything with an easy life. Helen Keller, the first deaf and blind person to earn a university degree, wrote inspirationally: "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."
One of the main determinants of success in life is our attitude towards adversity. We all face hardships, problems, and difficulties from time to time. While we cannot choose the adversity, we can choose our attitude towards it.
Douglas Bader was 21 when he had both legs amputated after a flying accident in 1931. Determined to fly again, he became one of the leading flying aces in the Battle of Britain. He said, "Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you can't do this or that... Make up your mind, you'll never use crutches or a stick, then have a go at everything... But never, never let them persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible."
How can you change your attitude towards the adversity you face? Try these steps:
1. Confront the problem. Do not avoid it.
2. Deliberately take a positive attitude and write down the benefits of the situation.
3. Visualise how you will feel when you overcome the obstacle.
4. Develop an action plan for how to tackle it.
5. Smile and get cracking.
The biographies of great people are filled with examples of them taking such steps. The common thread is that they did not become defeatist or depressed. They chose their attitude. They opted to be positive. They took on the challenge. They won.