Breakthroughs and Breakdowns

Many times in life, both breakdowns and breakthroughs are created from similar circumstances. The same adversity and challenge we face that may cause us to give up and quit can also create the environment that forces us to adapt, overcome and grow. It’s all about our perspective on those moments and how long we are willing to push and persevere, allowing a potential breakdown to become a breakthrough.

We love to hear stories of overcoming adversity. There are historic events like Edison’s inventing of the light bulb after ten thousand failed experiments and the Wright brother’s first flight following countless crashes and failed takeoffs. We also remember events that don’t have the same historic impact, but were played on such a grand stage that we can’t forget: Keri Strug’s vault on a badly sprained ankle that sealed the gold medal for the US Gymnastics Team or Michael Jordan’s 38 points, despite suffering from a severe flu, to seal Game 5 of the ’97 NBA Finals.

As much as we love these stories, we often fail to apply the lessons to our own lives. These aren’t just larger-than-life fictional characters; they are human beings who did extraordinary things because they refused to give up and continued to push forward and execute. You and I may never have a stage like the NBA finals, but we can still seek to approach the difficulties and challenges in life as opportunities and not obstacles. Again, both breakthroughs and breakdowns often grow from the same seed. The only difference is how you nurture it.

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