How Do People Do Well When Their Circumstances Are Horrible?

How Do People Do Well When Their Circumstances Are Horrible?

Dr. Linda Hancock

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Hancock has written a regular weekly column entitled “All Psyched Up” for newspapers in two Canadian provinces for more than a dozen years. Over the years, her readers and clients have said that they have benefited from her common-sense solutions, wisdom, and sense of humour. Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice in Medicine Hat. She can be reached at 403-529-6877 or through email office@drlindahancock.com

Published

February 21 2011

Sometimes people who seem to have all the advantages of life make terrible choices and end up in a situation where they do not do well. Others, who seem to have everything against them, rise to the top of a group and become role models for others despite their past. What makes the difference?

We might not be able to single out one specific factor that can be given sole credit for the success. Each individual requires certain personal characteristics that help them to overcome difficulties in their lives. Characteristics, like determination, belief that they can have a better life, or even a healthy stubbornness that refuses to give up no matter how hard the journey might become.

There is one thing, however, that I have heard over and over again from people who have achieved great things even though their circumstances might have held them back. That is the fact that someone else believed in the individual and placed their faith in the person even if that person didn't have enough confidence to believe it themselves at the time.

Resilience has to do with a having a mentor who love and encourages another person. It might be a teacher, neighbour or older sibling. Perhaps it is a business owner who trusts and empowers the individual. Maybe it is a community leader who provides an opportunity for the person that night otherwise not have been possible.

When you invest in someone else's life this can be a very powerful thing. You might be the only person who demonstrates faith in the individual. In fact, you might be the role model who sets an example which forms a foundation on which the other person will build their own success.

Think about leaders who speak about the things that motivated them. Usually they can name at least one person who has inspired them to build a life of integrity. Sometimes they can identify people at different times of their life who have influenced them in a specific area.

You see, we are all in this together. It is up to us to encourage other people and help them to grow. Sometimes you might find that you are the only person who they have who will offer them the inspiration that they need to believe in their goals and take the steps that will actually help them to reach a point of achievement.