by The Teen Mentor

How to Use Adversity to Your Advantage by Coach Jim Johnson

Adversity presents itself to us throughout our daily lives very frequently. There is nothing we can do about it except embrace it and attempt to use it to our advantage. Think back to when something unexpected happened to you and threw off your plans to achieve something. Did you harness the adversity and grow from the experience? Or did you crumble under the stress of something going off-script?

Here are 5 tips to turn adversity into a positive experience. Enjoy.

  1. Use it as motivation. Improving yourself is never easier than when experiencing adversity. It forces you to make quick decisions and think in a different manner than if everything was going according to plan. Learn from the adversity and embrace the change.
  2. Adopt a ‘never give up’ mindset. This will force your brain to never shut down and always keep fighting. Whatever it takes to get the job done. When is the last time you did “whatever it takes” to achieve something?
  3. Build confidence. Small accomplishments can add up to an extremely productive day, week, or month. As long as you form daily habits that will help give you the sense of accomplishment needed, you will be able to stay confident as a person.
  4. Continue to search. Growing your mind is something you should never stop doing. Search for new ideas and learn how to make improvements on your life.
  5. Surround yourself with great people. Success attracts success and after a while, the people you surround yourself with will start to rub off on you. Who do you surround yourself with? Are they helping or hindering you?

jim-johnson-lo-res-suit-with-basketball-2About the Author: Coach Jim JOHNSON is one of Your Monthly Mentors, an author and authority on teamwork, leadership, and realizing your dreams. Based in Rochester, New York, he is most famously known for helping an autistic senior, Jason McElwain (J-Mac), realize his dreams and play with his basketball team. Jason scored an amazing 20 points in 4 minutes during that game. Coach Jim Johnson has appeared on Oprah, Good Morning America, and ESPN and is the author of the book “A Coach and a Miracle: Life Lessons From a Man Who Believed in an Autistic Boy”. Read More…

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