Sometimes it is really difficult to find the positive side of a challenge confronting us. When dealing with adversity - a career setback, the ending of a long-time relationship or the illness of a child - it’s hard to believe there is a sunny side or a silver lining to this experience. But history is full of people who found possibilities through adversity. Reflecting on their achievements can remind us to look for opportunities. If a young Spanish soccer star had not been injured seriously in a car accident and spent months recuperating in the hospital, he likely would not have discovered his musical side. The world might have missed the beautiful voice of Julio Iglesias. McDonalds and the “golden arches” would not exist today if Ray Kroc had succeeded in his first several ventures. Instead they ended in bankruptcy prior to his opportune meeting the McDonald brothers and purchasing a little hamburger stand to later become the world’s preeminent fast food franchise. Had Walt Disney not failed in his initial dreams to the point of bankruptcy, the magic of the Magic Kingdom and the hundreds of Disney related businesses would not exist today. Every adversity, every failure, and every heartache, carries with it the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit." - Napoleon Hil It’s the tough to take, but sometimes we are taught lessons that will benefit us. Allow yourself to be open to what life is teaching you and apply it later when the opportunity presents itself.

What Would MacGyver Do?

When you are feeling powerless and circumstances are taking control of your life, it is sometimes helpful to ask yourself this question: What Would MacGyver Do? MacGyver was a show in the 80’s starring Richard Dean Anderson. Called only by his last name and placed in the most precarious and unenviable situations, MacGyver was the absolute epitome of resourcefulness. Combined with his training and knowledge, he was somehow able to convert ordinary items into extraordinary tools to get him out of any cliffhanging situation. MacGyver would apply his magical blend of creativity and applied science and triumph as the poor man’s James Bond. I don’t know whether the science was always real or not, but the show taught me a mindset that has served me when ever I feel trapped and out of options. I also apply another technique adapted from a joke with my children. It started innocently enough. When one of them would ask how I knew something, I would reply that I was not only a genius, but rather a Super Genius! When faced with problems or the need for creativity, I would use my super genius affirmation to help me. “How hard can this be, after all I am a super genius?” Many challenges were not insurmountable to begin with, they only needed a little creativity or fortitude and a gentle nudge from my super genius alter ego. The joke finally caught up with me. One day my son’s teacher mentioned that she and the class had been informed by my son that I was indeed a super genius. I still privately hold on to my super genius status – it helps me get the job done. Allowing yourself to have positive and affirming outlook sometimes seems contrary to what is expected of us today. We are taught to belittle ourselves to seem normal lest we seem too full of ourselves. Modesty gets in the way and we are expected to play down our strengths and play up our weaknesses to help us fit in. I say, •Summon the super genius in you. •Maintain the attitude and mindset of a creative problem solver. •Learn to develop opportunity awareness. Think about possible benefits and opportunities hidden even in adversity or hardship. •Learn to visualize any negative situation as an opportunity for metamorphosis like a caterpillar changing into a butterfly. Sometimes creativity calls for looking at a combination of things that you had not thought of previously. When you get into a pinch requiring a healthy dose of creativity, step out of yourself and your normal patterns to ask yourself, “What would MacGyver do?” With the help of inspiration from McDonalds, Disney and MacGyver, allow yourself to find opportunity awareness even in the midst of challenges or tragedy. This is an excerpt from Frank F. Lunn’s book Stack The Logs! Building a Success Framework to Reach Your Dreams. To learn more about the STACK Strategy or to take control of your life…purchase Stack the Logs! visit www.stackthelogs.com or email tim@stackthelogs.com.

About Author :
Frank F. Lunn is an expert in leadership, marketing, and small business entrepreneurship. A former military officer and Gulf War veteran, Lunn is the founder of the Kahuna Business Group, a $20 million annual company. Lunn is the author of STACK THE LOGS!: Building a Success Framework to Reach Your Dreams, pledging to donate 10 percent of all sales to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where his son’s life was saved.