HAPPY NEW YEAR!

So here it is, the end of 2023. How has your year been? Difficult, challenging, heart-breaking, good, outstanding or a mixture of the above. One sure thing is that we will all experience difficult times every year. It is impossible to have a year where nothing goes wrong and we have the perfect year.
 
We may have financial, physical, mental, emotional or relationship challenges during the year mixed with some good times. It’s not what happens to you in life that counts; how you respond makes all the difference.
 
 
The future is unknown
 
We can’t foretell what will happen to us daily, but we can learn to improve our response. Our response is often automatic, with little input from our conscious mind. A problematic situation triggers a specific response, and until we understand that we have the power to change this response, nothing will change.
 
This is precisely what I teach in my mental resilience masterclasses. I share the challenges I have faced and how I have changed the way I respond to these challenges. I have faced many difficulties over the years, and in the past ten years, my response has improved year on year, which has had a significant impact on me and my business.
 
 
I lost everything
 
Covid was a great example of this. I could have just given up and retired on my pension when I lost my entire business. However, I realised that I had a choice of how I responded to this challenge, so I chose to fight back at the age of 66 by writing my second book and creating three online masterclasses, which resulted in a far better business model.
 
I now deliver these 1-hour masterclasses to companies like Rolls Royce, Siemens Gamesa and NSG Pilkington Glass worldwide, both online and face-to-face. These short sessions are proving extremely popular as staff aren’t away from work all day and absorb much more because they are fresh and alert. Staff attending lengthy masterclasses tend to struggle in the afternoon due to fatigue.
 
How you respond to adversity is critical to how quickly you emerge from your pit. A positive response makes a huge difference, and here is one example of someone who had a choice of how he would respond to being imprisoned and tortured in Vietnam.
 
 
James Stockdale
 
James Stockdale, a U.S. Navy vice admiral, was captured in 1965 during the Vietnam War after his plane was shot down over North Vietnam.
 
Senior Officer at Hoa Lo Prison (“Hanoi Hilton”): Stockdale became the senior ranking officer at the notorious Hoa Lo Prison, where he endured nearly eight years of captivity.
 
Stockdale’s stoic philosophy played a crucial role in his resilience during captivity. He focused on maintaining inner strength and mental discipline in the face of adversity.
 
Despite facing brutal torture, Stockdale emerged as a leader among the prisoners of war (POWs). He established a code of conduct and fostered unity, inspiring fellow captives.
 
Stockdale refused to provide his captors with information that could be used for propaganda, even under extreme torture. His commitment to military values was unwavering.
 
Stockdale implemented a covert tapping system known as the “tap code,” enabling prisoners to communicate, share information, and maintain morale in the harsh prison conditions.
 
He was released in 1973 and received the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary leadership and sacrifice. He returned to the United States as a hero.
 
Stockdale continued to serve in various capacities, including running as the vice-presidential candidate in 1992. He imparted his wisdom through writings, leaving a lasting legacy of courage and resilience.
 
Stockdale’s exemplary leadership and sacrifice during captivity earned him the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States.
 
 
There are real benefits to responding the right way.
 
Responding positively to adversity can have numerous benefits for personal well-being and overall life satisfaction. Here are some key advantages:
 
Resilience Building: Positive responses to adversity help develop resilience, the ability to bounce back from challenges. This resilience strengthens an individual’s capacity to face and overcome future difficulties.
 
Psychological Well-being: Approaching adversity with a positive mindset can contribute to better mental health. It fosters a sense of optimism, reducing stress and anxiety levels.
 
Improved Coping Skills: Positive responses involve adopting effective coping mechanisms. This could include problem-solving, seeking support, or finding constructive ways to manage stress, contributing to better overall coping skills.
 
Increased Motivation: Positive responses can fuel motivation and determination. Individuals who maintain a positive perspective are more likely to stay focused on their goals and persist in facing challenges.
 
Emotional Regulation: Responding positively helps regulate emotions, preventing a downward spiral into negative thought patterns. Emotional regulation contributes to overall emotional well-being.
 
Optimism and Hope: Positivity fosters optimism and hope for the future. Believing in one’s ability to overcome challenges and anticipating positive outcomes can provide a sense of purpose and direction.
 
Physical Health Benefits: Research suggests a positive mindset is associated with better physical health outcomes. Positive individuals may experience lower levels of inflammation, reduced risk of chronic diseases, and improved overall health.
 
In summary, responding positively to adversity contributes to overall well-being, emotional health, and personal development. It equips individuals with the tools needed to navigate life’s challenges and fosters a mindset that promotes growth and success.
 
 
Thoughts for the week 

1. In 2024, make it your goal to improve how you respond when things go wrong.
2. Work on finding the positives in the adverse situation – there is always something.
3. This week, spend some time visualising a successful 2024 and what that looks like.
4. Finally, think back on all the good things that happened to you this year and be grateful for every one of them. You will be surprised how many good things you have forgotten.

 
Well, that’s it for 2023. Have a wonderful weekend, and see you next year!
 
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
 
Warm regards
 
John