Living with a brain injury changes many things in our lives. The good news is that these changes do not have to limit us.
Instead, we can use ingredients to create success. Create success, to create a good life, despite the changes in our lives.
Ingredients for Success
Hard work or Work-ethic
Hard work for me means being diligent, to accomplish a task or a goal that is set before me; with focus. Hard work involves sticking with a project or a goal to achieve the desired outcome.
“Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds.” Gordon B. Hinckley
For me, hard work does not mean running a sprint but involves running a marathon; which requires consistent and ongoing effort.
article link:
A Word of Encouragement – Keep Swinging at the Fences
Commitment
“a willingness to give your time and energy to something that you believe in, or a promise or firm decision to do something” Cambridge Dictionaries Online
Commitment communicates to me to remain undeterred from what I set out to accomplish.
Although the way that I set out to accomplish something may change, my commitment teaches me that I can find a way that will work for me to be able to accomplish my goal.
Article link:
When Circumstances Change Our Plans
Determination
“is a positive emotion that involves persevering towards a difficult goal in spite of obstacles.[1][2] Determination occurs prior to goal attainment and serves to motivate behavior that will help achieve one’s goal.” Wikipedia
“I will prepare and some day my chance will come.” Abraham Lincoln
Determination helps me to focus on what I want to accomplish, in spite of obstacles and setbacks.
Obstacles become a sign on the road that helps me to realize that adjustments need to be made to accomplish my desired goal (s).
Determination teaches me to not give up in spite of apparent obstacles and setbacks because I know that more will be revealed in time.
Article link:
Experiencing Adversity, Failures, Setbacks and Not Giving Up!
Drive
“There are three major components of motivation: activation, persistence, and intensity. Activation involves the decision to initiate a behavior… Persistence is the continued effort toward a goal even though obstacles may exist… Finally, intensity can be seen in the concentration and vigor that goes into pursuing a goal.” About Education — What is Motivation
“Through perseverance, many people win success out of what seemed destined to be certain failure.” Benjamin Disraeli
Motivation can either be external or internal drive. Being externally driven will only last until the threat is removed. Being internally motivated or driven, on the other hand; is sustainable because of the individual’s internal desire to achieve the skill, skill set or goal.
The drive encourages me to stick with the process and keep learning from my circumstances, my experiences and my opportunities.
Article link:
Don’t Give Up — Your Life Matters!
Discipline
“training to act in accordance with rules; drill, activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill, the rigor or training effect of experience, adversity” Dictionary.com
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” Jim Rohn
For me, discipline means that I keep working on my craft, tweaking and taking away; adding and making the decision to follow through to condition myself to achieving an end.
article link
Neuroplasticity, Small Successes, and Learning / Relearning Skill Sets
Fortitude
“Fortitude meaning courage or bravery is the ability and willingness to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation.” Wikipedia
“Fortitude is the marshal of thought, the armor of the will, and the fort of reason.” Francis Bacon
For me, fortitude means that I commit to pursuing my dreams and my destiny, my vision, and mission in the face of being minimized, marginalized, dismissed and discounted.
Fortitude means that I remain true to myself, regardless of whether anyone else “gets it” or understand me. Fortitude means that I stay committed to my goals, whatever they may be at the time.
To thine own self be true.
article link
Persistence
“the quality that allows someone to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult or opposed by other people” Merriam-Webster
“Persistence and resilience only come from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems.” Gever Tulley
For me, persistence is the decision to get up more times than I fall down. Persistence for me means that I don’t give up regardless…Giving up simply is not an option.
Persistence means believing in myself.
article link
Answering the Call that Never Came
Tenacity
“an unwillingness to yield or give up, being dogged, stubbornly, persevering and steadfast” Wiktionary
“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” Albert Einstein
Tenacity keeps me moving toward what I want to accomplish in my life. Tenacity means that I keep looking for ways to win in life. Tenacity means that I do give myself no for an answer.
Tenacity means that I trust the process, a loving God and myself. Tenacity means that I keep moving forward.
article link
Courage
“The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.” The Free Dictionary
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” Steve Jobs
Courage to me means I stay committed to the process, the footwork, and the journey. Courage helps me to remember that I do not have to do things perfectly. Courage reminds me that I can pursue excellence, instead of perfection. Courage reminds me that will all learn, there is a learning curve. Courage reminds me to stay committed to my mission and vision.
Courage gives me hope.
article link
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure, it is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We were all meant to shine as children do. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone. And as we let our own light to shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same, as we are liberated from our own fear. Our presence automatically liberates others. Sir, I just want to say thank you. You saved my life.” Marianne Williamson
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