When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going*

The rules of the game are changing. When else would be this *Robin Sharma´s quote more true than today when further economical development is uncertain and effects of crisis become even more visible. Managers at all levels lose jobs and those who keep them are playing it safe, being afraid of joining their ex-colleagues. Will they all be able to regain back their self-confidence and happiness?

New conditions require new skills and approaches. Turbulent times create new stars or send defeated individuals into apathy. Stormy days either elevate leadership skills of each individual and show hidden talents, or they may reveal weaknesses of those who are not strong enough to fight their fears of unknown or of those who are not able to adapt and find fresh opportunities offered by the new changed situation.

As Robin Sharma in his book The Leader Who Had No Title well said: “Things need to fall apart before they can be rebuilt. …You can´t reach a place of breakthrough without going through a period of breakdown. Being out in the wilderness of the unknown brings up our limiting beliefs and our greatest fears. You bump up against your insecurities. You meet face-to-face with your self-doubt. Anytime you are moving nearer to growth and embracing deep change, your fears will surface. Your old foundations and traditional structures need to fall apart so better ones can be constructed. Out of confusion always comes clarity. From chaos always flows order. 

“It´s amazing how far you can get when you decide that you simply will not give up – that failure is not an option….Obstacles just show up to measure how badly you want something. Setbacks are nothing more than tests to see if you are ready for the rewards that are available to you. Most people give up as soon as they see a wall.” 

Positive thinking, creating a new vision for own fulfilling life, accepting stepping up a new learning journey as well as persistency and patience are a must on the way forward.  

Uncomfortable conditions wake many leaders up to unleash the greatness within self. When they defeat their fear to go through the tough times, they become stronger. When they go to their limits, their limits expand. When they get ready to thrive in discomfort, they set themselves on the path of being ready to step up.
  
"Leadership really is about closing your ears to the noisy voices of others so you can more clearly hear the mission and call within yourself. It´s about feeling really safe in your own skin and learning to trust yourself so that you work under your values, express your original voice and be the best you can be. It´s about knowing who you are, what you stand for and then having the courage to be yourself – in every situation rather than only when it´s convenient.“ Robin Sharma

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Neale Donald Walsch 

“We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world.” Helen Keller

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