21 Ways to Defeat Weakness and Grow Strong
Things we instinctively avoid – discomfort, failure, risk, and difficulty – make us grow strong. It’s better to grapple with struggle than turn from it.
Ease is the enemy. Playing it safe leads to stagnation.
21 Ways to Defeat Weakness and Grow Strong:
- Responsibility – rescue reinforces frailty.
- Challenge – coddling corrodes character.
- Performance – baseless self-esteem leads to narcissism.
- Confrontation – unfounded praise produces arrogance.
- Struggle – ease leads to self-doubt.
- Service – indulgence corrupts the soul.
- Accountability – excuses dilute self-respect.
- Risk – security breeds stagnation.
- Action – stagnation stifles potential.
- Persistence – quitting cripples progress.
- Integrity – deception weakens character.
- Sacrifice – greed fosters feebleness.
- Boldness – timidity shrinks hearts.
- Failure – success breeds complacency.
- Discomfort – comfort stifles growth.
- Discipline – laziness atrophies potential.
- Learning – ignorance weakens adaptability.
- Ownership – blame invites indulgence.
- Humility – arrogance erodes strength.
- Effort – entitlement undermines achievement.
- Adversity – over-protection weakens resolve.
Strength is never an accident. People grow strong when they work. The seduction of ease is our decay.
You grow strong when you choose to persist. Marcus Aurelius said, “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
Strength shrinks obstacles. Weakness looks at the mountain and trembles. Strength charges forward with confidence. Seneca said, “Our lack of confidence is not the result of difficulty. The difficulty comes from the lack of confidence.”
Adversity is the crucible of strength. Resolve begins with discomfort.
What can you add to the list of 21 ways to grow strong?
What difficult thing do you need to do today?
Still curious:
4 Unexpected Sources of Strength Available to Tired Leaders
Dan,
Great post today! Right now I need to embrace number 4 – Confrontation.
Normally I don’t mind a little confrontation – I feel like it really helps me develop a better understanding of those around me. However, I am better about it with anyone other than my direct leadership. I need to have a serious conversation with my manager right now, and I am trying to embrace that I cannot just hold my frustrations in. I need to discuss it and work it out. Otherwise, nothing will change and I will become more frustrated.
Wish me luck. My hope is that I come out on the other side with a stronger relationship!
Sounds like you need to have the conversation sooner rather than later. Dan has plenty of past lessons on how to have tough conversations. Good Luck.
Thanks, SB. I respect your transparency. It’s encouraging.
The first thing that came to mind was the difference between confronting a person and.a situation.
I wish you success.
Thank you, Dan. I plan on using this with our teams through the month of October.
Here is a suggestion.
Resilience: Rigidity breaks the spirit in everyone, including oneself.
Thanks, AZ. I’m glad you added your insight.
1. Change your self-talk to be affirming.
2. Spend time in self reflection to learn what changes are needed.
3. Solicit advice from others who have dealt with similar issues.
4. Keep a running list of your key accomplishments.
5. Write down your core beliefs and values.