The Reality of Tough Times

Added January 21st, 2009

Tough times happen. It is neither fair nor unfair; it's simply what is-it's life. Tough times happen in our personal lives and in business. This country has weathered 33 economic slowdowns and 5 depressions in the past 200 years. They happen.

If you believe in an economic Darwinism, you believe tough times are necessary for progress in business. Few things change in this world without the catalyst of pain. Tough times typically purge the market of inferior quality, poor service and weak competitors. Granted, there are innocents who work for these companies that suffer the consequences of poor management decisions. For them, it is a personal tragedy.

On a personal basis, experiencing tough times is a type of purification process. Tough times strip away our facades, exfoliate our masks and introduce us to our humbled selves. They expose our weaknesses and spotlight our strengths. Tough times reveal our character, test our resilience and challenge our creativity.

Those who experience tough times and learn its lessons will tell you they wouldn't take a million dollars for the experience but neither would they want to repeat it for a million dollars. In tough times, we are introduced to an inner strength we may not have known we possess. This strength helps us persevere. Once the tough times have passed, this strength is abundantly available for continued growth.

How you approach these tough times-as a time for reflection and growth or a time for resentment and decline-is a choice you make about your future. Some will emerge from these tough times stronger, smarter and grateful for the experience. Is that you?