Turning adversity into advantage involves shifting your mindset to view obstacles as stepping stones rather than obstacles. You were born with potential, with goodness and trust. You were born with dreams and ideals. You were born with greatness and with wings. You were not meant for crawling around all your life, so don’t. You have these wings. Learn to fly with them. Make great use of what you have been given. You can win with the cards you’ve been dealt by life.

“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.” – Wilma Rudolph, Olympic Champion

You are capable, at any time in your life, to do what you dream of. If you want to be great at anything, you’ve got to have a clear vision of exactly what you want, why you want it, and when you want it to happen. No path to greatness has ever involved settling for less than what you really want. You become what you envision yourself being.

Living your vision is a commitment. It definitely demands time, dedication and discipline. Do not take it lightly. As Tai Lopez said in one of his Facebook posts: “Five wasted years can be fixed by one focused one. The timeline feels unfair until you realize how fast discipline compounds. You are never as far behind as you think.”

The key to turning adversity into an advantage lies in fulfilling what you want in your life first and being an inspiration to yourself. By creating an inspiring life that works, you inspire others around you to do the same. It’s time to make the magic happen, and it starts with you getting clear on exactly what you want in your life and why you want it.

When it comes to greatness, there is no room in life for excuses. You are your greatest ally in terms of your capability to get past adversity. You can be incredibly motivated. It all lies in how you perceive and engage the adversity you face. Turn your adversity into an advantage.

Seneca said: “It is a rough road that leads to heights of greatness.”

Great people choose to look at adversity as the lesson that moves them toward their goal, not the obstacle that keeps them from it.

As Lionel Richie so eloquently put it: “Greatness comes from fear. Fear can either shut us down and we go home, or we fight through it.”

Go out and make this day a great one, friends. You deserve it.

-Etieno Etuk