3 Keys to Overcoming Adversity to Stay on Course to Reach Your Goals

Send Page Print Page Recently Viewed Share

You have not viewed any products recently.

home > news > 3 Keys to Overcoming Adversity to Stay on Course to Reach Your Goals

Finish Strong is more than a statement it’s an attitude. Tell me about your own “Finish Strong” moment or accomplishment. Each month I will pick my favorite to feature on the home page and to give a free autographed copy of the Finish Strong gift book PLUS an official Finish Strong ball cap! Click here and submit your story

3 Keys to Overcoming Adversity to Stay on Course to Reach Your Goals

Making your dreams come true is a very powerful concept. It all starts with a goal because a goal is simply a dream...written down. But like anything in life, it’s all about execution. You would think that by being the “Finish Strong” guy, a motivational speaker and partner with Simple Truths —an inspirational book publisher— that it’s easy for me to stay positive and focused on reaching my goals.

But the truth is, I struggle just like everyone else to execute to the best of my ability each and every day...to Finish Strong. In fact, the last year has been one of the most challenging ones that I’ve ever experienced. Here are some of the low-lights: I injured my eye, resulting in a major surgery, permanent double and the loss of my ability do some things that I used to enjoy. Last fall, my mom, without warning, and my mother-in-law passed away within a 60 day span. This spring I tore a muscle in my right arm. And, just recently had one of two major surgeries to reconstruct my right knee—a process that will take nine months.

Many of challenges this year have stemmed from losing activities that used to help me replenish mentally and physically; i.e. my gym workouts, sparring sessions, time on the golf course and of course, having my mom to talk to. The dramatic change in these events has deeply impacted me and forced me to find new ways to release stress and stay fit.

So life moves on and my goals remain the same. As the Finish Strong mindset dictates:

Regardless of what came before or has yet to come, what matters most at this point in time is how I choose to respond to the challenges before me. Will I lie down or will I fight? The choice is mine and I choose to Finish Strong.

I’m sharing my personal account with you because I believe in my heart that regardless of the challenges, you can, you must, move forward toward making your goals a reality. The three principles below represent the core of the Finish Strong mindset and right now I am leaning on them a lot. Here they are:

First, count your blessings each and every day. Take an honest look at every positive aspect of your life and write them down on a note card.Nothing is too small to include. Then take 60 seconds each morning to read and add to them, letting them build a positive mental foundation.

Next, strive to maintain a positive mindset throughout the day. When a negative thought pops into my head, I dismiss it immediately by saying “Clear!”. Choose a word that works for you and then don’t let your mind harbor negative thoughts.

Finally, Execute! Move forward by improving your averages. It’s easy to set yourself up to fail by trying to “eat that elephant in one sitting.” You can’t bite off more than you can chew. Goals take time and discipline to reach. Make an effort to break your actions down to small manageable pieces. For example, if your goal is to get into shape and lose 20 pounds by swimming each morning at the gym, then be realistic and don’t try to hit the gym every day right out of the gate. Instead, move forward by improving your average success rate each day. Make it to the gym two times the first week, three the next, four the next, etc. Until the habit is deeply ingrained in you, life will try get in the way of your objective. Some days you will not be able to execute the way you want. That’s ok, don’t beat yourself up. Just get back on track as soon as you can. Over time, fighting to improve your average success rate will help you to develop the habit you desire, making progress toward your goals.

Adversity is a part of life and I would argue that life would actually be boring and pointless without problems to overcome. (boy am I’m living life to its fullest right now!) In spite of the adversity in your life, follow the Finish Strong mindset: count your blessing each day, feed your brain positive thoughts and move forward in the direction of your goals and dreams by improving your average success rate—one step and one day at a time.

Stay on course to Finish Strong!

Dan

Back to News

Finish Strong exist to provide men, women and children with a inspirational and motivational platform for life, sport, business and spiritual well being. Our books, apparel, wristbands, jewelry, t-shirts, hats and other gift items serve as personal reminders of ones commitment to Finish Strong.

The Finish Strong attitude is about choice. Only you have the power to choose how to respond to the challenges before you. How will you choose to respond? Will you lie down or will you choose to fight? The choice is yours and I challenge you to always choose to Finish Strong.

"It's not what happens to you, it's how you choose to respond that matters" - Dan Green, Founder Finish Strong, LLC.