Navigating Life’s Storms: When Everything Goes Wrong, Here’s How to Set It Right
The universe doesn’t conspire against you; it conspires to wake you up. If you feel like you’re pushing against a hurricane of resistance, know this: the eye of the storm is within reach, and it’s called opportunity. This is not the rhetoric of false hope. It’s the battle cry for the bruised dreamer who’s ready to flip the script on adversity.
Inside: Personal Experience/Story
I don’t know about you but right now I am going through a season in my life that nothing goes according to my plans. It seems like no matter what I do everything goes wrong. Whether I try to do good, or whether I don’t try at all, the results seem to be the same; I go nowhere. I know life sometimes can be tough, but other times can be extremely overwhelming and very frustrating.
As I mentioned before, I am going through my second bankruptcy right now. And I was offered an opportunity by an acquaintance to work for him. The idea was to help him structure his business and develop systems and processes that would help him manage the growth of his business. At the same time, he offered me the opportunity to start my own business again and develop and grow a car dealership license that he has.
At the time of this opportunity, it seems like it came directly from the hand of God. And probably it was I just can’t see that right now. At the time I was working as a truck driver, working on average 18 hours a day and away from my family 5 to 6 days a week. And despite that I was making a decent amount of money I missed my family a lot and I was extremely unhealthy eating everything that was put in front of me. So when the opportunity arose I prayed, I was convenience that it came from God so I jumped into it.
I had everything already planned. I went to work immediately and started analyzing the business. I created structure, and departments, and started to create processes. I re-branded the entire business and created a new logo, with a new website, and developed a social media campaign. On my business side of it with the car dealership, I reached out to my old contacts and told them I was back in business. So my network was active and the plan was in motion. Success was inevitable and in my mind, I would be at the top again within weeks. Silly me!
Almost three months later I cannot be farther from what I thought I would be at this point. It looks like the harder I try, the further back I go. The opportunity to structure, develop, and help my acquaintance develop processes, and grow his business has become a dead-end job that I don’t like at all. I am very passionate about business and I enjoy doing business things. I need to be able to face challenges, solve problems, and create things. I need to feel that I am moving forward and winning. But right now I am just a guy that his job is to order and receive parts.
I am in the eye of the storm and I dislike it very much! I feel like I am wasting my gift and my talents. Or if I am honest I can call this entitlement. On top of that trying to get the dealership off the ground. I have acquired almost $70,000 in new debt. I can call this impatience, and poor decision-maker. I have not been able to sell a single car. And here is another excuse, I can call this one lack of effort. So let’s recap; almost three months later, I am poorer, more unhappy, extremely frustrated, and overwhelmed and nothing is going according to my plan. Only one thing I have going on for me. My Faith In God The Father, In Jesus The Son, and The Amazing Holy Spirit.
As the song says, I know that He will do it again. Unfortunately is not the first time that I put myself in situations like this. And if I am honest I have been in a lot worse position than the one that I am in right now. And only one thing I know that I can count on, and that is that God has control of everything and I know that everything will work out for good in the end. That despite that things are not going my way, He is in control of everything. And even though I don’t know the future I know who does. And He is a Good Father who has always taken care of me. And if He did it once He will do it again and again.
Sometimes we forget how Blessed we are. We pay attention to the little things and forget to take a moment and look at the bigger and better picture. Look at me; I am complaining a lot. But the the truth is that I am at my home every day and I can kiss my wife good night and put my kids to bed every night. That alone is a huge blessing. On top of that, for the type of job that I am doing, I am getting paid a lot. But because I am making less than what I was making as a truck driver and I am not doing more business contributions and development I am focusing on the negatives.
Moreover, I have an opportunity to start my own business in partnership with my acquaintance. Where he is putting all the money into starting and growing the business. Nobody will do that but he is doing it. The only reason why I acquired a new debt of $70,000 is because like always, I like to take control of my destiny. I don’t like to wait for anybody and like I said before I like to move forward, conquer and win. If I trust God, the process, renews my mind and focus on the blessings instead of the challenges. I would be in a different and better position right now.
I need to be more grateful and have an attitude of gratitude. because in reality, even though things are not going the way I planned them, they are going the way they should and I know that God has control of everything. So today, let’s make an effort to be thankful, express our gratitude, and change our perspective on things. Let’s surrender to God, His will, and His purpose and trust that He has us. Because the truth is that He does.
Data:
Statistically speaking, setbacks are a common thread in the tapestry of success. Harvard Business School’s Shikhar Ghosh reveals that 75% of venture-backed startups fail. Yet, it’s these trials by fire that often precede significant breakthroughs. Psychological research suggests that resilience built through adversity is a key driver of success. The American Psychological Association stresses the importance of embracing a positive yet realistic mindset in overcoming challenges.
The Problem and The Solution:
The problem many face is the paralyzing belief that a string of failures is an unchangeable fate rather than a series of challenges to overcome. The solution lies in a fundamental shift in perspective—viewing each setback as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block. The practical approach combines proactive planning, risk management, and the cultivation of resilience.
Conclusion:
Remember, when it seems like nothing is going your way, it’s not a sign to give up—it’s a call to rise up. The true measure of success isn’t just what you achieve but what you overcome to get there. This blog doesn’t just recount a journey through adversity; it serves as a roadmap for transforming your trials into triumphs. The storm clouds may gather, but within you is an unyielding power to push through to clearer skies. Embrace the lessons, harness the energy of your setbacks, and redirect it towards your comeback story. Because when everything seems against you, you are closer than you think to turning the tide in your favor.