"The difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone is how you use them." - Unknown
It is not really what happens to us that matter but how we react to it. Do you agree with me? Someone once said, 10% of life is what happens to you and 90% the way you react to it.
Stumbling blocks are bound to come on our way to our destiny. But our ability to convert such stumbling blocks to stepping-stones will differentiate the successful from the unsuccessful. Whatever happens to us in our quest to attain success is not new, it has once happened to someone before, but what will differentiate you from others is your reaction to it. Someone was once raped and abused; someone once failed and someone was once disappointed, yet someone came out stronger and better.
Stumbling blocks come in form of problems, failures, trials, tribulations, disappointments, and setbacks. If these situations are not adequately managed, they tend to stand on our way to destiny and act as a garrison demarcating us from our success. On the other hand, if these circumstances are properly managed, they act as stepping-stones, which when stepped on will take us closer to our destiny.
Resolve today to turn all stumbling blocks to stepping-stones. While stumbling blocks are caterpillars, stepping-stones are pillars.
Napoleon Hill, author and writer, asserted in his best-selling book Think and grow rich that 'every adversity brings with it the seed of an equivalent advantage'. What the author is invariably saying is that there is an advantage in every adversity that comes our way. There is a stepping-stone in every stumbling block we experience. There is a gain in every pain we go through.
That you failed a test does not mean you should never attempt it again. In fact, failing the examination is not the exact failure, but your inability to try again. Stumbling blocks stop us from moving ahead, but the moment we turn them to stepping-stones, they take us closer to our destination.
After series of failures, disappointments and unfavourable situations, Ralph Naldo Emerson concluded that 'our greatest glory is not in failing, but in rising up every time we fail.' 'Failing' in this context is a stumbling block, but if we sit on the fact that we fell and refuse to rise again, it then remains a stumbling block. Conversely, if we are able to change our approach and reactions to such failures, it automatically becomes a stepping-stone.
Lots of events and situations find their ways into our lives each and every day, and one thing I have realised is each one of those situations can either be good or bad for us. In the coming days, months, and years, you will have the opportunity to interpret and react to many different people and situations. What then will guarantee that those opportunities are stepping-stones rather than stumbling blocks? I believe the outcome is dependent upon the choices we make. Will I be an optimist or a pessimist? Will I work to make this productive or destructive? Will I do what is right or will I do what is wrong? These are all choices we face. Often our decision is spur of the moment, yet that will determine whether we step forward or move backward.
Do you have a person or situation right now that could go either way? Make these choices today. Choose to be an optimist. Choose to make it productive. Choose to do what is right. As you do, you will find a stepping-stone to greatness rather than a stumbling block on your road to success.
When I came to live in England in 1996, I was shocked to discover that a fraudster had already stolen my birth certificate and used it to obtain a National Insurance number and credit cards and even opened a bank account. The person even got married in my name. Everywhere I went, I was told somebody was using my identity. At this point, the authorities could not identify the real 'Dayo Olomu.' I reached a stage where I wanted to give up and cry, raise the white flag of surrender and admit I couldn't go on. I reached such a depth I never knew existed. It was one of the greatest obstacles and setbacks I had to face as it nearly destroyed my goal; however, I was resolute not to loose focus. I returned to college and pursued my goals. Today the rest is history!
I see every setback as an opportunity for growth. When you loose, you learn and then go on to win next time.
Dayo Olomu is a UK-based Motivational Speaker, Writer, Business/Life Coach, Trainer, Media Entrepreneur and Competent Toastmaster. His core belief is that we are all endowed with seeds of greatness, and his mission is to help individuals and organisations achieve their full potentials. He is the author of best selling "4 Indispensable Strategies for Success" and the President of Croydon Communicators Toastmasters. Get his FREE monthly Rise to the Top ezine by sending a blank email to subscribe@dayoolomu.com or visit his website at: subscribe@dayoolomu.com
move in cleaning service Lake Forest ..Often, I've come across individuals who, while in conversation, will... Read More
Kasia is a talented landscape designer who speaks several languages,... Read More
Our thoughts define who we are. They can make us... Read More
"Most overnight successes are just plain lucky. Just ask any... Read More
Knowing yourself is the foundation of self-esteem, self confidence and... Read More
At your next staff meeting lead your team through the... Read More
Every day that I eat EnergyRich? Food, I get almost... Read More
Ever feel like giving up? Do you ever feel so... Read More
The easiest, most exciting adventure in consciousness follows the lamplit... Read More
"A person is limited only by the thoughts that he... Read More
I don't know about you, but for me, the technological... Read More
There is a growing volume of research that shows' staying... Read More
Every time something doesn't go quite right (rather frequently for... Read More
Dear Friends,All human beings have a unique ability right from... Read More
The other day one of my "challenging clients" and I... Read More
During these times of uncertainty in the outside world, look... Read More
The Alchemists of old worked over many years, centuries, in... Read More
Looking around at our circumstances we may see only mountains... Read More
"Putting ourselves down, is an insult to our worth." --Helen... Read More
When we were children, we were fearless. We would stick... Read More
I get emails and questions from people all the time... Read More
Have you ever thought about you have a lot to... Read More
In many ways the Star War movies are simply a... Read More
INNER CRITIC UNVEILED! Part 2: AFFIRMATIONS TO THE RESCUE!"Almost everybody... Read More
I am an educator as well as a coach and... Read More
pet-friendly home cleaners Glenview ..Yea, I know........I hear you saying "that's easy for you... Read More
The universe is vast, it's dimensions inconceivable, it's potentialities unimaginable,... Read More
The universe is vast, it's dimensions inconceivable, it's potentialities unimaginable,... Read More
"In life, if you give yourself a concession, you'd take... Read More
How would you like to stop feeling like your life... Read More
One often hears people say they can't sketch because they... Read More
I am often astounded at what and why people believe... Read More
Do you talk with yourself? When we hear people talking... Read More
Byron and I started our first business full of enthusiasm... Read More
Let's say you're ready to change some aspect of your... Read More
Did you ever run into that person that just nags... Read More
Speaking comes to most people as naturally as breathing. On... Read More
Many people don't really understand the gift they have been... Read More
I've had several coaching clients come to me who, while... Read More
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.... Read More
Ten tips to transform your move into a creative life... Read More
"Thinking is responsible for man's primacy on earth today. Existence... Read More
Conflict is unavoidable. How we respond to it makes a... Read More
How are you? That's a loaded question, and I'll tell... Read More
Whether it's the other kids making fun of you at... Read More
With the beginning of a new year, are you happy... Read More
I need your help. I did a good deed recently,... Read More
"At birth, a baby's brain contains 100 billion neurons, roughly... Read More
There is a growing appreciation of the impact of psychic... Read More
The mind absolutely amazes me. It will never be understood,... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |