Overcoming Limitations: Succeeding Despite Your Circumstance
- Jonathan.O
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
From my conversation with Anne Welsh, a successful entrepreneur, and former Special Advisor to the Nigerian President. Born with Sickle-cell Anemia , she taught on how to succeed despite your current limitations, and even gain the attention of Presidents and leaders.
Success
Anne is the Founder and CEO of Painless Universal
Author of a book co-signed by world leaders
Former Special Advisor to the President of Nigeria
Leadership Coach
Mother of 2
Anne's Limitations
Anne has suffered from Sickle-cell Anemia since birth
- This has meant that admissions into hospital hindered both her learning and her ability to take advantage of opportunity's that others would easily be able to.
Anne started University late, and graduated late
- In an age where people rush to achieve and hit certain targets at the expected age, she has shown that a delay in your journey doesn't mean a denial of your dreams.
Anne's Career Path Was Redircted
- An unexpected change occurred after Lehman Brother's (her former employer) collapsed in 2008! But this tragedy turned into opportunity, as she was approached for a new role by the President of Nigeria.
How To Overcome Limitations
Your Mindset Overcomes Physical Struggles!
- Mental side is the hardest part of being physcially sick . Anne notes she "saw life differently" when she began to see how her focus on the pain exaggerated the issue and made her feel useless. Instead she began to focus on how blessed she was. Once you focus on the opportunities, and positives that exist either elsewhere (or even in your struggle), then you have won most of the battle.
See the Opportunity in your struggle
- Anne saw the need for community as she spoke with others about the struggle with Sickle-cell. This lead to her creating the community to support others going through the same struggle.
Have a community going through similar struggles
- Being in contact with those going through your struggles opens you up to receiving useful tips to get through it, and be encouraged seeing their achievements despite limiation.
How To gain the Attention of Presidents
Be Strategic
- "No one will come knock on your door" she emphasised. Be at the events where they will be out, and network aggressively
- The importance of extracting lessons from negative experiences.
Composure and Flexibility
- Being calm in difficult situations. A tense attitude will only make things worse. The way you respond to a situation is the one thing you can always control.
- Be ready to adapt your schedule to a demanding role like this. Be travel ready!
"Don't be afraid" to ask difficult questions.
- "It's better to look stupid than not to ask!"
Call to Action
Which issues in your life are you placing a magnifying glass over? That practice exaggerates the struggle. Rather place the same magnifying glass over the many blessings you have!
To Impress Presidents and Leaders, be intentional. Seek to attend events they plan to go to, and network!
Be flexible. As you plant seeds, make sure you're ready to adapt to the opportunities you get.
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