Delay Vs. Denial

I have a story…

When my second son was born, my wife and I were at parenting class at the hospital. The person leading this group asked this question of us: “what two traits do you want your child to have from your partner?”

My wife immediately said these two words:

• Tenacity
• Fearlessness

I was shocked. Not in a bad way, just surprised and taken back for a minute.

I had not ever really aligned with those words before. My alignment was more with “survival” or “what do I have to lose” thinking.

NOT tenacity or fearlessness.

That day, however, I changed. I took ownership of these two words. The resonance I felt was new, yet easy and so obvious based on my path thus far.

• I was proud.
• I was flattered.
• I was propelled.

I just really took to those two words!

• I have always been driven.
• I have always been ambitious.
• I have always wanted BETTER.

Now, onto today's topic. I promise this will come together.

Image Credit: On April 5th, 2011, illustrator Dum originally posted the drawing to his Blogspot.

Question: Have you guys seen this meme before?

While seriously used SO much…it’s a clear demonstration of Delay vs. Denial.

Let’s get into it.

Embracing Delay, Rejecting Denial

In a world that often both demands and promises instant results, the concept of delay versus denial becomes a poignant reminder of the resilience needed to navigate life's challenges. Today, let's delve deeper into the mentality of not taking no for an answer – a mindset that champions strength, grit, and unwavering perseverance.

Embracing Delay:

Life seldom unfolds according to our timelines. Embracing delays allows us to appreciate the journey, learn from detours, and ultimately arrive at a more seasoned version of ourselves.

Consider the following, illustrated by real-life examples:

Refine Your Plan, Not Your Goal:

J.K. Rowling, the renowned author of the Harry Potter series, faced multiple rejections before finding a publisher. Multiple meaning more than 1, maybe 12 is the number we use. Instead of abandoning her goal, she refined her approach, turning challenges into opportunities for creative enhancement.

She received her first rejection letters for "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" in the early 1990s. After perseverance, the book was finally published in 1997.

Would you keep going after this amount of time?

Celebrate Small Wins:

The journey towards success is a series of small victories. Elon Musk, despite early setbacks and financial struggles, celebrated the successful launches of SpaceX and the electric revolution at Tesla, recognizing that each achievement contributes to the greater narrative.

Elon Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 with the goal of reducing space transportation costs. The company faced early challenges, but in 2008, SpaceX achieved a significant milestone by successfully launching the Falcon 1 into orbit. Tesla, founded by Musk in 2003, initially faced financial struggles, but the introduction of the Tesla Roadster in 2008 marked a turning point.

Both companies had gradual successes over the years, with SpaceX achieving milestones like reusable rocket landings and NASA partnerships. Tesla's success grew with the Model S release in 2012. By 2020, SpaceX became the first private company to send astronauts to the International Space Station, while Tesla became the most valuable carmaker.

Elon Musk's journey with SpaceX and Tesla involved overcoming challenges and achieving success over the span of more than a decade. You know, an overnight success…

Rejecting Denial:

A mentality of strength involves understanding the difference between a temporary delay and a definitive denial.

I’ll bring my two words back right now:

• Tenacity
• Fearlessness

You have to really, really want something to stay in the lane of “I’m going to get this”. It is not easy. The thing is, it’s often the simple, basic steps we get distracted from that will get us there.

Here are some thoughts to cultivate a resilient spirit:

Learn from Rejections:

Elon Musk, before achieving success, faced rejection and criticism. Instead of succumbing to denial, he learned from each setback, channeling the lessons into the groundbreaking innovations we see today. He used everything as fuel to build what he set out to accomplish.

Cultivate a Growth Mindset:

The story of Thomas Edison, who encountered numerous failures before inventing the light bulb, emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset. Each failure was a step closer to success, a testament to the power of perseverance. Just as each “NO” gets you closer to a yes in sales. It can be difficult but when you detach from the outcome, and focus on just doing what you need to be doing, things get easier.

The Triumph of Perseverance:

In the marathon of life, perseverance is the fuel that propels us forward. Consider these actionable takeaways, exemplified by resilient individuals:

Action Steps:

Build a Support System:

• Oprah Winfrey faced personal and professional challenges but built a strong support system. Surrounding yourself with encouraging individuals provides the strength needed during challenging times.

Daily Affirmations and Reflection:

• Stephen King, despite early rejections, persisted with his writing. Daily affirmations and reflection fueled his commitment to the craft, turning him into one of the most prolific authors of our time.

Adapt, Don't Abandon:

• Steve Jobs, after being ousted from Apple, returned to lead the company to unprecedented success. Perseverance involves adapting to circumstances while staying committed to long-term goals.

Delay is NOT denial.

The journey towards success is a winding road. Let the stories of Rowling, Musk, Edison, Oprah, King, and Jobs inspire your own narrative of strength and triumph.

Wishing you resilience, perseverance and grit to keep moving forward, regardless of the size of the step you may take today.

Thank you for reading.

I hope you found value in this.

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