When Life Throws You Curveballs, You Learn to Swing!

"To succeed in life, you must make adjustments."- Ken Griffey Jr.

Once we have reached adulthood, we quickly figure out that things don't always work out in the ways we imagine when we're growing up. Dreams are often put on hold for work and family. Friendships that you thought would last forever sometimes dissolve over small misunderstandings. Decades long marriages fall apart. The plans we once had for ourselves seem to be a thing of the past. It's normal to feel like there are aspects of your life that you thought would be different. I would challenge you to find one person who hasn't felt disappointed in the direction of their life at one time or another. It's not the regrets that hold us back, it's the way we deal with those regrets that determine our ability to move forward in a positive direction.

In baseball, a curveball is a type of pitch that curves downwards and sideways as it travels toward the batter, making it harder to hit....but not impossible. This analogy is perfect for life's unexpected surprises. We don't always see them coming. It's easy to want to give up when we watch our dreams fall apart. Grit is considered one of the strongest predictors of success. That grit can only be created through persevering through challenges, setbacks and adversity. So, while we often try to avoid adversity, it can truly be one of our greatest avenues for growth.

Learning to pivot is about embracing change, not fighting it. The ability to change direction and adapt to new circumstances, especially those that are unexpected, is a trait often found in the most successful individuals. Change is constant. Goals are often not met. Job promotions can fall apart. Instead of viewing a pivot as a failure, view it as a chance to grow as an person. As humans, we have a greater capacity to adapt than we give ourselves credit for. It's okay to take the time to mourn the loss of what might have been, but don't sit in that mindset too long. Find a solution and keep moving forward.

Being persistent and consistent are keys to building a life after challenges and hardships take their toll. Don't take rejection as a closed door. It may just be not yet. Remain steady in your pursuit of your aspirations. Rome was not built in a day. Show up daily for yourself. Whether it's training for a half marathon or studying for a different career, set new goals and strive to meet them.

Hope is the human emotion that keeps us going even during the darkest times. Roy T. Bennett once said, "Never lose hope. Storms are what make people stronger and never last forever." We are built to withstand the highs and lows of life. One of our greatest challenges is what we do with our disappointments. Do we let them define us or do we use them to make us stronger?

Babe Ruth is quoted as saying, "Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game." To succeed in life, we must not shy away from challenges and let our fear keep us in our comfort zone. To grow is to thrive. To thrive is to live!