Changing Stumbling Blocks To Stepping Stones?

"The difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone is how you use them." - Unknown

It is not really what happens to us that matter but how we react to it. Do you agree with me? Someone once said, 10% of life is what happens to you and 90% the way you react to it.

Stumbling blocks are bound to come on our way to our destiny. But our ability to convert such stumbling blocks to stepping-stones will differentiate the successful from the unsuccessful. Whatever happens to us in our quest to attain success is not new, it has once happened to someone before, but what will differentiate you from others is your reaction to it. Someone was once raped and abused; someone once failed and someone was once disappointed, yet someone came out stronger and better.

Stumbling blocks come in form of problems, failures, trials, tribulations, disappointments, and setbacks. If these situations are not adequately managed, they tend to stand on our way to destiny and act as a garrison demarcating us from our success. On the other hand, if these circumstances are properly managed, they act as stepping-stones, which when stepped on will take us closer to our destiny.

Resolve today to turn all stumbling blocks to stepping-stones. While stumbling blocks are caterpillars, stepping-stones are pillars.

Napoleon Hill, author and writer, asserted in his best-selling book Think and grow rich that 'every adversity brings with it the seed of an equivalent advantage'. What the author is invariably saying is that there is an advantage in every adversity that comes our way. There is a stepping-stone in every stumbling block we experience. There is a gain in every pain we go through.

That you failed a test does not mean you should never attempt it again. In fact, failing the examination is not the exact failure, but your inability to try again. Stumbling blocks stop us from moving ahead, but the moment we turn them to stepping-stones, they take us closer to our destination.

After series of failures, disappointments and unfavourable situations, Ralph Naldo Emerson concluded that 'our greatest glory is not in failing, but in rising up every time we fail.' 'Failing' in this context is a stumbling block, but if we sit on the fact that we fell and refuse to rise again, it then remains a stumbling block. Conversely, if we are able to change our approach and reactions to such failures, it automatically becomes a stepping-stone.

Lots of events and situations find their ways into our lives each and every day, and one thing I have realised is each one of those situations can either be good or bad for us. In the coming days, months, and years, you will have the opportunity to interpret and react to many different people and situations. What then will guarantee that those opportunities are stepping-stones rather than stumbling blocks? I believe the outcome is dependent upon the choices we make. Will I be an optimist or a pessimist? Will I work to make this productive or destructive? Will I do what is right or will I do what is wrong? These are all choices we face. Often our decision is spur of the moment, yet that will determine whether we step forward or move backward.

Do you have a person or situation right now that could go either way? Make these choices today. Choose to be an optimist. Choose to make it productive. Choose to do what is right. As you do, you will find a stepping-stone to greatness rather than a stumbling block on your road to success.

When I came to live in England in 1996, I was shocked to discover that a fraudster had already stolen my birth certificate and used it to obtain a National Insurance number and credit cards and even opened a bank account. The person even got married in my name. Everywhere I went, I was told somebody was using my identity. At this point, the authorities could not identify the real 'Dayo Olomu.' I reached a stage where I wanted to give up and cry, raise the white flag of surrender and admit I couldn't go on. I reached such a depth I never knew existed. It was one of the greatest obstacles and setbacks I had to face as it nearly destroyed my goal; however, I was resolute not to loose focus. I returned to college and pursued my goals. Today the rest is history!

I see every setback as an opportunity for growth. When you loose, you learn and then go on to win next time.

Dayo Olomu is a UK-based Motivational Speaker, Writer, Business/Life Coach, Trainer, Media Entrepreneur and Competent Toastmaster. His core belief is that we are all endowed with seeds of greatness, and his mission is to help individuals and organisations achieve their full potentials. He is the author of best selling "4 Indispensable Strategies for Success" and the President of Croydon Communicators Toastmasters. Get his FREE monthly Rise to the Top ezine by sending a blank email to subscribe@dayoolomu.com or visit his website at: www.dayoolomu.com

---

Overcoming Bad Moods

From experience, one of the biggest stumbling blocks for people... Read More

Cleaned Up or Cleaned Out?

I need your help. I did a good deed recently,... Read More

Accepting Change

Well I've finally done it...I turned my heat on. After... Read More

Community After Tragedy

One Friday in November, I began a journey from New... Read More

How to Deal With No

No one likes rejection. And yet it happens. Here's how... Read More

Reacting To Given Situations!

The milkman knocks at the door of the old lady's... Read More

The Power Of Appreciation

As we enter this holiday season, and this time of... Read More

Never Run Out of Altitude, Airspeed, and Ideas at the Same Time: Lessons From the Vietnam POWs

Bosses can't control many things at work. In fact, they... Read More

Your Frame of Mind May Determine Your Health

The mind absolutely amazes me. It will never be understood,... Read More

Failure is Only Feedback

Does the thought of failure send a cold shiver down... Read More

Why Motivational Posters Arent Cheesy!

I don't want to say people are basically negative but?..if... Read More

The Power of Negative Thinking

For some reason, most people find it easier to think... Read More

Do You Love Yourself?

So, do you love yourself?Shouldn't really be a difficult question... Read More

Embrace Change

We all have a unique way of communicating our story,... Read More

Life Energy

There is a growing appreciation of the impact of psychic... Read More

Instant Frequency Boosters: 10 Fast and Simple Ways to Raise Your Vibration

When you're feeling "low," or out of the flow, it's... Read More

Quick Tips On Making Change Work For You

Facing a change and want to make it work for... Read More

Watch Your Mouth

Ever had one of those mothers, or grandmothers, who would... Read More

Where Do You Get A Positive Attitude You Asked?

How are you? Where do you get a positive attitude... Read More

Distortions are False Beliefs Programmed Every Day by Self and Those Around Us

Distortions are False Beliefs Programmed every Day by Self and... Read More

Get the Confidence to Be Your Best

A confidence crisis is looming with a recent study showing... Read More

Mind Games!

Have you ever been caught up in a thought that... Read More

Changing Stumbling Blocks To Stepping Stones?

"The difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone... Read More

What Every Manager Should Know About How to Look Beyond His Attitude

Once we understand the difference our attitude makes in our... Read More

Positive Thoughts and Words

You want to change your self-care habits and you can't... Read More

Quick Fixes: Happiness In A Bottle

This is the age of the Quick Fix - the... Read More

Mastering Mindfulness: A Thinkers Ode to Meditation

I'm lucky.When I was fifteen, I was the sole survivor... Read More

Creating Icebergs Out Of Hostility

Have you ever dreaded an upcoming presentation, meeting or function... Read More

3 Ways to Change Roadblocks into Valuable Tools

Our initial reaction when hitting a setback or a "roadblock,... Read More

Not Getting What You Want in Life? Your Thoughts Could Be the Culprit

Unhappy? Stressed out? Do you feel you not only want... Read More

Mental Fitness For Confidence And Winning In Life

Studies show that men and women profit most with having... Read More

Think Positive: Using Affirmations to Create Health, Wealth and Beauty

You've heard the buzzwords: Attitude is everything! Change your perspective!... Read More

Lose Your Hope And You Can Bring Down The Curtain!

The others in the raft didn't seem to share Eddie's... Read More