Struggle Makes You Strong
Struggle makes you strong.
It’s just true and in almost every way.
Last week I taught about embracing the struggle, for ourselves and our kids and for those we lead; because struggle makes you strong.
We told the story of the caterpillar, the cocoon, the boy and the butterfly- this story teaches the sad but true lesson that when we shortcut the cycle of struggle in an attempt to help (like the boy in the story did by cutting the cocoon), we deprive the butterly (our kids or whoever) the opportunity to strengthen their wings and be strong enough for the trials and tribulations of real life.
My son just sent me a pic that he and his brothers are weight training- yet another example where only struggle- progressive resistance over time- can make you strong.
Then let’s look at the current world affairs.
I pray to God that the people of America never have to experience the amount of struggle that the people of Ukraine are.
But I equally pray that we’ll have created men and women strong enough to do so if they needed to; and leaders strong enough to lead.
I shared the following post this morning.
I want to share it in its original form because I want to give the speaker credit and not plagiarize his words…….
But I agree 100%
Mack Story
The Ukrainian President #Zelenskyy is putting on a #leadership clinic for the rest of the world. While Zelenskyy is leading (influencing) THE WORLD from the #FrontLines, #Putin is far away from the front lines doing what managers of people do…dictating and directing.
When it came time to truly lead, Zelenskyy took off his suit and tie and joined the people.
Leaders worth following are easy to spot, the rest are not.
Leaders worth following will always be among the people they are leading, intentionally building trust, strengthening relationships, and gaining buy-in…exactly what Zelenskyy is doing in this image.
History reveals that many of the greatest leaders to ever walk the face of the earth end up paying the ultimate price and give their life for their cause.
Since authentic leadership is defined as influence, high impact leaders have a lot of authentic influence while living and often have even more after their death.
If Zelenskyy stays the course, he will leave a legacy within others and those following his lead now will continue to follow his lead later, dead or alive.
#bluecollarleadership #leadership #leadbyexample #leadershipmindset #leadershiptips #honor #character #integrity #leadingpeople#leadingtogether #hero #heroic #teambuilding #relationshipbuilding #trustbasedleadership #ukraine #ukrainerussia #ukrainecrisis #ukrainewar#leadingwithheart #leadingwithpurpose #Zelensky
Now this is me again, Shihan Steve.
I choked up when I read that story to my wife this morning.
I am doing so again writing this for you.
Stories of great leaders in trying times have always done me thus-
Perhaps because I have always wanted to be a great leader.
But I want to share something that I have learned over my last 32 years of leadership study and experience-
struggle makes the leader stronger too.
I’ve learned and improved my leadership skills under the tutelage of many great leaders;
I’ve listened to thousands of hours and read hundreds of books.
I’ve also learned a lot by trial and error, wins and defeats;
I’ve grown as a leader through conscious decision and study, but also through struggle.
What struggles are you currently growing through?
The “growing” verb in the last line is not a typo for “going”.
Ask the right questions through the struggle- most importantly, what am I supposed to learn from this.
Do that and every struggle will grow you.
I’d love to hear from you. What struggles have you overcome or are you going through?
Prepare To Live; Empower To Lead!
Grand Master Stephen J. Del Castillo
Founding Master Instructor, Krav Maga Martial Arts
TampaKravMaga.com
Author of Developing Your Superpowers Meditations On Mastery Vol One
Check out the Meditations On Mastery Blog and Podcast too!
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TampaKravMaga.com and Krav Maga Martial Arts have been empowering lives through the martial arts in the Tampa Bay area for 20 years!
Founded in 2000 by Grandmaster Stephen J. Del Castillo, a 7th degree Black Belt and Sr. Master Instructor, Krav Maga Martial Arts and Karate lessons for pre-school children ages 3-6 and elementary age kids ages 7 and up are designed to develop the critical building blocks kids need – specialized for their age group – for school excellence and later success in life.
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If you have any questions about our program, or would like to go ahead redeem your 2 weeks FREE, you can call us anytime at 813-547-6368 or visit our Krav Maga Martial Arts website.
About Grandmaster Stephen J. Del Castillo: Grandmaster Del Castillo is the founding Master Instructor of Krav Maga Martial Arts and has been empowering lives in Pasco and Hillsborough Counties since October of 2000. He is a 7th degree Blackbelt, MBA, author, mentor and success coach, a US Army Veteran and a proud father and grandfather. He is married to Ms. Barbara Del Castillo who helps him run the school. Grand Master Del Castillo began his training in the early 80’s and has high level blackbelts in Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Premier Martial Arts and Krav Maga Martial Arts as well as experience in kickboxing, Jeet Kune Do and Jiujitsu. He has high level instructor certifications from BBSI, IKMF, and KMG and has been featured in numerous Martial Arts publications and also Success magazine. He was a competitive sport karate and American Kickboxing instructor until he enlisted in the US Army where he served in the 82nd Airborne Division, where he won an Army Green to Gold scholarship and proceeded to ROTC and the University of Tampa. He was commisioned in 1992 and went on to serve in Germany with the 3rd Infantry Division and then in several other posts in the US until he left military service to pursue his dream of creating KMMA in 2000.
The Krav MagaMartial Arts Headquarters is in Lutz, FL at 1900 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., 33549. Krav Maga Martial Arts serves Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, and surrounding areas.
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