Satchel Paige on Facing Adversity

"Never let your head hang down.

Never give up and sit down and grieve.

And don't pray when it rains if you don't pray

when the sun shines."

Adversity is assured for all of us

ADVERSITY IS ASSURED FOR ALL OF US.

I recently read Don Yaeger's new book: Greatness:  The 16 Characteristics of True Champions.
I've included some of his thoughts on adversity.  As a coach/ parent it's the toughest thing to teach how to respond to.  Below are some great thoughts on attacking adversity in our lives.

• The truly Great use adversity as fuel.
• The truly Great find opportunity in the worst of times.
• Adversity, be it in life, health, business or any other realm, can be the distinguishing factor between a successful leader and an unsuccessful one.
• Transform disappointments into Great success.
• Adversity is one of the most potent forces in life, one that can bring out your best or your worse.  Ultimately it's up to you.  How will you handle obstacles?  Will they be roadblocks or springboards?
• Think about one or two of the most difficult challenges of your life, and count how many positive things ultimately came out of the experience.
• Our reaction to adversity shapes our character, clarifies our priorities and can fuel our path to Greatness.

Norman Schwarzkopf's Thoughts on Success & Adversity

"I must tell you two of the most imporatnt lessons I learned from challenges I have faced:
1. Don't dwell on disappointment--determine to do your best anyway
2. We don't always know what's best"


The challenges we face in certain situations hold a purpose beyond our understanding at the time.

Success without adversity is not only empty--it is not possible.

Purpose of Brick Walls--Randy Pausch

Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the pople who don't want it bad enough. --Randy Pausch--Last Lecture

Coach John Fox--"Walk of Life"

From John Fox to his team:

"Throughout your walk in life, you will have prosperity. You will also have adversity. You must know how to deal with both because how you do will define you. Some guys don't know how to handle prosperity. Believe me, you are never as good as people tell you that you are. And you are never as bad as they tell you are. Don't let anyone tell you any of that. You define what you are."

"You can't allow failure to make you fail. Look adversity in the eye and don't back down. Adversity is our glue--it cements us to each other. It brings us together and it's part of the process."

Bear Bryant On Dealing With Adversity

Bear Bryant On Dealing With Adversity

1. “You know what I think? I think we should blow it up and start over. The wrong people have been runnin’ the joint for too long. Let’s just torch the barn and kill the rats.”

2. I don’t think it’s so much that you coach football as you coach people. You just have to have a way with folks.

3. In a crisis, don’t hide behind anything or anybody. They’re going to find you anyway.

4. In life, you’ll have your back up against the wall many times. You might as well get used to it.

5. You never know how a horse will plow until you hook him to a heavy load.

6. Sacrifice. Work. Self-Discipline. I teach these things, and my boys don’t forget them when they leave.

7. The first time you quit, it’s hard. The second time, it gets easier. The third time, you don’t even have to think about it.

8. When you make a mistake, admit it, learn from it and don’t repeat it.

Bear Bryant On Dealing With Adversity

1. “You know what I think? I think we should blow it up and start over. The wrong people have been runnin’ the joint for too long. Let’s just torch the barn and kill the rats.”
2. I don’t think it’s so much that you coach football as you coach people. You just have to have a way with folks.
3. In a crisis, don’t hide behind anything or anybody. They’re going to find you anyway.
4. In life, you’ll have your back up against the wall many times. You might as well get used to it.
5. You never know how a horse will plow until you hook him to a heavy load.
6. Sacrifice. Work. Self-Discipline. I teach these things, and my boys don’t forget them when they leave.
7. The first time you quit, it’s hard. The second time, it gets easier. The third time, you don’t even have to think about it.
8. When you make a mistake, admit it, learn from it and don’t repeat it.