It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness

 Seneca

My own career transition is another example of how benefits come from problems and difficulties. I was never interested in self-development materials until I had years of unhappiness after graduating from law school. I only found these principles after I’d reached a low point in my life.

I now realize that all the miseries I endured were really blessings in disguise! I can see, quite clearly, how the events of my life “set me up” for what was to come. I had to go through the tough times and the unhappiness — and to break through that low mood so I would understand the power of a positive think.

So, when someone tells me they’re discouraged, or it’s obvious they have a negative attitude, I know what that feels like. I’ve been there! By going through some challenging times, I learned things that are invaluable to me – and I can relate much better to those who hear my presentations and read my writings.

And the reality is, if I hadn’t grown more and more dissatisfied with my work as an attorney, I never would have been open to switching careers. If

I had rated my job as a “C” or “C-,” I would have kept practicing law. I would have settled for living a “C” life. It’s only because I was a “D-”… and heading for an “F”… that I was motivated to make a change!

When someone asks me why I changed careers, I reply, without hesitation, “LOTS OF PAIN” – physically, emotionally and spiritually. And it’s that pain – too intense to ignore – that forced me to make a decision and move in another direction. Life is now an “A”… and things are only getting better!

Now, let’s look at your life. Can you think of any situations where a seemingly negative experience turned into something positive?

Maybe you were dismissed from a job… and then landed a better position. Or, perhaps you had a health problem and it caused you to change your diet or to start exercising regularly. Carefully review the difficulties and setbacks you’ve faced – and identify the benefits and lessons that came out of these experiences. The positives are there… if you look for them!