Goals – Embrace the pain and adversity

We always need to remember that achieving any target will take time and effort. You have to embrace the pain and have the necessary grit to reach the other side. What really separates those who achieve anything and those that fail to achieve their targets always boils down to one factor:  GRIT

Childhood Examples- Rearing Chickens in the Suburbs

I grew up in the suburbs where my family reared chickens to supplement my father’s income. My maternal grandmother literally took care of the young chicks the way she nurtured her own grandchildren. Young chickens out of the brooder had to be kept warm by artificial means. We used charcoal stoves that had to be constantly kept burning. The charcoal stoves had to be topped up constantly with a never ending feed of charcoal. My grandmother carried out this duty faithfully with constant shifts at 11 pm in the night and 4 am in the morning.

This was further supplemented by day shifts that had feeding and watering sessions at 8 am, 12 midday, 4 pm and 7 pm. This was back breaking work she dutifully carried out for over 20 years to ensure her own child and grandkids were successful.  This is the type of dedication I have witnessed constantly in my life. My own father had a terrible car accident when I was barely 6 years old that had him incapacitated in hospital for over 6 months. He lost the use of his left arm this only propelled him to work harder and achieve greater goals in his life. He completed his Phd degree after this accident and is a well known and respected research scientist in the entire East African region.

He also participated actively in the rearing of the chickens in the family enterprise. Using his functioning right arm he participated in the chicken dressing and delivery to major hotel chains in the city. This was also back breaking work that begun at 3 am everyday of the week. He did this for 3 hours and went off to work at his laboratory carrying out one scientific research project after the other.  Publishing paper after paper. He never complained but put his head down and got the job done no matter what. My mother was the rock that dutifully stood beside my father during this time. She begun the chicken enterprise after my father’s accident and worked on it diligently for over 25 years.

If you are fortunate to have had great role models in your life consider yourself lucky. Others might not have witnessed or had the chance to emulate this drive. It’s our duty as successive generations to build on the legacy of those who came before us. We are literally standing on the shoulders of giants.

Global Examples of Pure Grit

Scott Burrows – Bouncing Back from Adversity

Scott Burrows an American Sales Man and motivational speaker was a supreme athlete who was breaking record after record in all sports he participated in his childhood. He had an unfortunate motor accident which left him paralysed and a quadriplegic. Yet he did not let this accident define his life. He never listened to the Doctor’s prognosis but willed himself to walk again after 6 years of practice. He became one of the most accomplished salesmen and motivational speakers in America and the entire global stage. He has authored a book called Vision, Mind and Grit please read this book and listen to his speeches.

Aimee Mullins – Born with a Handicap

Aimee is an American athlete and motivational speaker. She had a double leg amputation in her childhood but this has not stopped her from reaching for the sky. She did not let this handicap act as an excuse to be a victim and constantly gripe. She used whatever resources she had to propel her to the top of her game. She is a great speaker who has gone on to accomplish many goals in her life. She leads a more fulfilling and accomplished life than over 97% of able bodied people will ever do in their lives.