to achieve mastery in our career. When we really have to exit the cocoon without the incision, we die in our cocoon. Pre-crafted tools can be very useful to our career, but they do not replace the skills we need to acquire to compete over the long term.

The skills of discipline, practice, and study, are

In order for us to win in life, we must push through the adversity we face. Without facing it, we are poorly prepared for winning. The truth is most of us don’t welcome adversity like a long-lost friend. We don’t embrace with passion the pain and setbacks that occur.

Alfred Russell Wallace was a famous botanist of the late 1800s. One day, Dr. Wallace was observing an Emperor butterfly struggling through the life and death adversity of escaping its cocoon. He wondered if he assisted the butterfly in its exit, what effect that would have on the butterfly. With a knife, Dr. Wallace made an incision the length of the cocoon that allowed the butterfly to exit the cocoon with ease. The butterfly emerged from its cocoon, spread its wings, and died. The butterfly did not have to encounter adversity in struggling to exit the cocoon. Through the struggle, the butterfly would have grown in strength. Since it failed to struggle and grow, it did not have the strength necessary to survive.

We often try to make incisions in our challenges and take the easy route. We take the quick exit as this butterfly did and fail to acquire the strength to compete. We often take the easy route to improve our skills. We never really work to achieve mastery in our career. When we really have to exit the cocoon without the incision, we die in our cocoon. Pre-crafted tools can be very useful to our career, but they do not replace the skills we need to acquire to compete over the long term.

The skills of discipline, practice, and study, are

botanist of the late 1800s. One day, Dr. Wallace was observing an Emperor butterfly struggling through the life and death adversity of escaping its cocoon. He wondered if he assisted the butterfly in its exit, what effect that would have on the butterfly. With a knife, Dr. Wallace made an incision the length of the cocoon that allowed the butterfly to exit the cocoon with ease. The butterfly emerged from its cocoon, spread its wings, and died. The butterfly did not have to encounter adversity in struggling to exit the cocoon. Through the struggle, the butterfly would have grown in strength. Since it failed to struggle and grow, it did not have the strength necessary to survive.

We often try to make incisions in our challenges and take the easy route. We take the quick exit as this butterfly did and fail to acquire the strength to compete. We often take the easy route to improve our skills. We never really work to achieve mastery in our career. When we really have to exit the cocoon without the incision, we die in our cocoon. Pre-crafted tools can be very useful to our career, but they do not replace the skills we need to acquire to compete over the long term.

The skills of discipline, practice, and study, are

of the cocoon that allowed the butterfly to exit the cocoon with ease. The butterfly emerged from its cocoon, spread its wings, and died. The butterfly did not have to encounter adversity in struggling to exit the cocoon. Through the struggle, the butterfly would have grown in strength. Since it failed to struggle and grow, it did not have the strength necessary to survive.

We often try to make incisions in our challenges and take the easy route. We take the quick exit as this butterfly did and fail to acquire the strength to compete. We often take the easy route to improve our skills. We never really work to achieve mastery in our career. When we really have to exit the cocoon without the incision, we die in our cocoon. Pre-crafted tools can be very useful to our career, but they do not replace the skills we need to acquire to compete over the long term.

The skills of discipline, practice, and study, are

uggle and grow, it did not have the strength necessary to survive.

We often try to make incisions in our challenges and take the easy route. We take the quick exit as this butterfly did and fail to acquire the strength to compete. We often take the easy route to improve our skills. We never really work to achieve mastery in our career. When we really have to exit the cocoon without the incision, we die in our cocoon. Pre-crafted tools can be very useful to our career, but they do not replace the skills we need to acquire to compete over the long term.

The skills of discipline, practice, and study, are

to achieve mastery in our career. When we really have to exit the cocoon without the incision, we die in our cocoon. Pre-crafted tools can be very useful to our career, but they do not replace the skills we need to acquire to compete over the long term.

The skills of discipline, practice, and study, are only acquired through facing adversity by trial and error, success and failure. We must focus; learning to be the best in these skills will enable us to be masters of our careers. Going through the motions is not good enough. Michael Jordan, when asked about why he practiced so hard, said, “I’m not out there sweating for three hours every day just to find out what it feels like to sweat.” He was clearly there for a purpose…to prepare, so he could win. He was there to help his teammates prepare to win. George Allen, head coach for the Washington Redskins in the ‘70s, said, “Winning can be defined as the science of being totally prepared.” The skills you need in order to achieve mastery in sales take practice and preparation. The only way to win is to practice. Most people don’t win because of better equipment; they win by facing adversity to gain strength and skill. They win through preparation. Does Tiger Woods win because of his golf clubs or golf ball? Tiger could probably play with a K-Mart special set of clubs and tear up the golf course. It’s the skill that sets him apart. Strength comes from struggle, not from taking the path of least resistance. Adversity is not just a lesson for the next time in front of us.