CHAMPIONS ARE NEVER QUITTERS

I was going through my files this afternoon when I saw a very old yellow notebook I used when I attended a workshop many years back. What caught my attention was something I scribbled in red ink on the front cover – “quitters are never champions, champions are never quitters”. It was probably the opening line of that workshop’s facilitator. It was a simple statement that was worth noting. In our everyday life, we are faced with obstacles and adversities. No matter how much we prepare, we are bound to face difficulties. What makes you a champion when faced with problems and all you want to do is quit and start over? How can one be a champion and not be a quitter?
Life is so full of surprises, good and bad. We can’t just take what is good no matter how much we want to, because the bad side is part of the package. So what do we do with the “bad”? Here are some suggestions that will help us deal with a difficult situation:

Expect and welcome adversity – in everything we do, in every goal that we set, it is good to expect obstacles head on. It puts us in a conquering mood and an attitude of preparedness. You don’t have to take on a disposition of negativity and expect the worst at all times. That will be pessimism. You don’t get married and expect your spouse to have an affair; but it will be a good idea to read on how to keep loving relationships or observe couples who have been married a long time and find out how they kept the marriage strong and stable. Expecting adversity is keeping an open mind and having the spirit to survive the challenge if and when it comes.

Look for the opportunity behind the obstacle- Many times, problems are blessings in disguise. The trick is having the wisdom to look for the benefit you will gain from a seemingly depressing situation. Whatever it is that you are facing, no matter how bad it sounds, there is an opportunity behind it. Remember when God closes a window, He opens a door. Sometimes you just need to look for it, because many times, the door is painted over. An employee who has been laid off can explore the possibilities of freelance work and enjoy more time with the family. A person having health issues can educate himself about his illness so he can heal his body and educate others. A college student who suddenly loses financial support can be a working student, learn the value of hard work and in the process build a stronger character.

Have the courage to act on the problem – Most of the time, we intuitively know how to get out of a difficult situation. We know the solution to our problems. It is acting on what needs to be done that defeats us. Some people will even justify their lack of action by saying it is easier said than done. I have a dear friend who is a single parent. She struggles everyday to make both ends meet. She knows she has to find work. She made an impressive resume and her mom has volunteered to baby sit, but to this day, she has not filed any job application yet. She got ready, aimed, but never fired. A problem is never permanent, it always goes away; but you have to give the problem a push, a very big one, so it can start rolling away from you.

Focus on your objective – In the midst of problems and challenges, losing sight of our goals is inevitable if we are not careful. That is why it is extremely important to always keep in mind what we aim to achieve. Being aware of where we intend to get to will give us the fortitude, passion and enthusiasm to overcome our situation. A breadwinner having to endure long hours and demanding customers will not quit; he will find ways to turn the situation around because his objective is ultimately to provide for his family. As a reward, finding a resolution to his work issues may even be an opportunity for advancement. Begin with the end in mind is an excellent idea, don’t you think so?

Keep the Faith – Faith in your Creator, yourself and the universe as a whole. Believe that there is a Big Someone looking out there for you. Believe that you have the skills, inner resources, talents and whatever else it takes for you to pull it off and get over the obstacles in your life. I repeat- keep the faith, believe, never ever quit. Keep in mind CHAMPIONS ARE NEVER QUITTERS, QUITTERS ARE NEVER CHAMPIONS.