Some days, don’t you just want to throw in the towel and just crawl back to bed? I know I do. Truthfully, this is how I have felt for the last two weeks. It just seems like I am being bombarded in every direction by all different kinds of issues and attacks. Of course, we all have to remember that the world is not really out to get us. Sometimes we just hit a bumpy road and all we can do is keep on driving through. When things aren’t going our way, when people let us down, when unexpected hurdles pop-up, our first reaction is often to pull off the road and wait for the bumps to pass. Yet, we all know that this won’t really fix the issue; it just sidetracks us from our true goals and purpose. Getting over the bumps Just remember that even though they can be uncomfortable, bumpy roads are still bringing us towards our destination. The best thing you can do is keep moving forward. Don’t try to get off the road or find a detour – this is when you get lost and cause even bigger issues. No, the only way to overcome the bumps is to take them head on. There are three things that I have learned to help keep me focused when the road gets rough. Make sure that you have a why statement. A why statement is the reason why you are going down the road you have chosen. It is the big picture outlook on your life, goals, business, or career plan. If you don’t have a why statement, then as soon as things get hard, you’ll start wondering why you even bother trying. Focus on one task at a time. Life’s bumpy roads often mean that you are being hit on many different fronts. It’s never fun, but it can be overcome. The key is to simply focus on one thing at a time. Put your attention on what is in front of you at the moment, conquer it, then move on to the next task. This will mean that you need to prioritize what things in your life are essential, and what things are distractions. Remember it is temporary. No matter where you are in life or what you are doing, life will have its ups and downs. With your why statement in hand, it becomes a lot easier to stay focused and plow through the hard times. Sometimes troubles can seem to last forever, but never lose hope. It is hope that will always help get you through the day no matter how dark things look – we can always rest in the hope that the sun will come back out.
By Strive Masiyiwa A few weeks ago I went to the doctor. I will tell you what he said about my health at the end, but first read this: Twenty years ago, I arranged to meet a well-known British international businessman who invested a lot in Africa at the time. We agreed to meet for dinner at a leading hotel in London. After a good meeting, we started to walk out of the restaurant when he suddenly collapsed in the lobby. There was total pandemonium as they rushed to get medical assistance. Being London, an ambulance arrived in minutes. I jumped in the back with him as paramedics wrestled to keep him alive. He had had a heart attack and had to have triple bypass heart surgery. Sadly he died a few weeks later. He hadn't been sick and his sudden death surprised everyone. And yet as I reflected on it, and later discussed it with a doctor friend who knew him, I realized he was very laid back about his health despite having a hectic business life. Even during our dinner...
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