Some Moments Are Better Because of the Struggle

Here’s a common analogy: If you go through the fire, then you come out as pure gold. Of course, that’s only true if you survive — if you don’t intend to survive, then it’s ashes for you.

Here’s another one to consider: Coal under pressure produces diamonds. But again, if you don’t handle that pressure well, then it could destroy you.

Truth Is. . .Fire Burns And Pressure Hurts

But fire purifies and pressure trains.  You decide.  If you’re in business, then struggle is a part of the process. All great ideas have to face the challenge of surviving in the real world.

The struggle, the pressure, the fire — that’s the price you pay for participating.  But it carries a reward if you handle it well.  In fact, some moments are better because of the struggle.  When you push forward no matter what and make every effort to launch, build and win – then the result can be amazing. In fact, the process may turn you into something else altogether — bolder, wiser, kinder.

There’s Something About the Challenge

Somewhere in the process you discover tweaks and enhancements to your business model, your team or your product, that would not exist without the struggle (without the competition).

I recently saw an episode of The Voice, and I was amazed by a duet between Anthony Evans and Jesse Campbell. Their take on Alicia Keys’ song, If I Ain’t Got You, was refreshing to say the least. But what stood out to me was the battle that produced the ballad. If they weren’t in the competition, fighting for their position, then we wouldn’t have this great moment and version of the song which carries 1 million plus views on YouTube versus the 24,000 plus views for the solo version by Mr. Campbell.

So how does this relate to us?

Imagine what you can create in the heat of the battle if you dig in and uncover the best of you and your team. Healthy competition places you in the company of talented others where the only thing you can control is yourself. And in order to make the most of the opportunity, you have to bring your “A” game. That includes calming your nerves, managing your fear and directing your energy toward the big picture.  Then pushing your team to do the same.

So, who’s in your market and how are they making waves? How can you improve your products, services or your marketing to make for better competition?

Remember, the goal is to learn from the struggle and to use the competition to enhance (or totally redesign) what you have. Instead of running from a challenge, learn from it because some moments are better because of the struggle.

P.S. I wish The Voice would let me buy that duet . . . just sayin’.

Singer Photo via Shutterstock

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