In tough times, 25% of people/businesses fail, 70% survive, and 5% thrive.
1. THE PRINCIPLE OF COURAGE
2. THE PRINCIPLE OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
3. THE PRINCIPLE OF RIGHT PERSPECTIVE
4. THE PRINCIPLE OF PERSONAL PERSONALIZED PERCEIVED CONTROL
5. THE PRINCIPLE OF PERCEPTIVE PROMISING TOMORROW/LIVING DAILY LIKE THERE IS A TOMORROW
6. THE PRINCIPLE OF PRODUCTIVE CREATIVITY: Tough timers always see a way out of difficulty. With creative mindset, tough timers know that adversity is prosperity turned inside out. Creativity is fundamental to resilience and persistence. Creativity is about productive excellent thinking. To become more creative you must learn how to think out of the box. Approach the problem differently. Trust your creativity. Encourage your creativity. Engaging in Creative Thinking, will lead to the flow of ideas that are productive and inventive; and when it works, there is no possibility of fitting it into or remaining in the slot and cocoon of adversity. Gen 30:37-40 NLT
7.THE PRINCIPLE OF PERSEVERANCE: Tough timers persist until they win. They know nothing great was ever accomplished by a quitter. They know, at a gut-level, that there is a time limit on tough times. Every downturn in world’s economy was followed by a period of expansion. Knowing that misery will not last fuels tough timers with the hope they need to get up another day and fight the battle. Winners never quit and quitters never win. Keep on, keep going, keep pressing; the pressure will soon be over.1 Sam 30:9-10KJV, Heb 10:35-39 Matt 10:22 KJV
8.THE PRINCIPLE OF OPTIMISM: Tough timers are positive thinkers, but their optimism cuts deeper than happy thoughts. They draw from a wellspring of confidence and hope. Because of their sense of control and creativity, tough timers look at the future through the eyes of an optimist. This is a bone-deep belief in their right and ability to live a positive life. This belief is manifested in positive behaviours. They behave as they believe, and their behaviour reinforces their positive beliefs. (The Parable of the Two Frogs). Keep your words and mind positive and your attitude optimistic. You may have to depend on this for a desperately needed shot in the arm. If you pack some hope in your briefcase and use it generously, you may discover that is what would see you through difficult times. Coming out of tough times successfully is nonetheless a matter of attitude and a correct frame of mind. Positive thoughts provide the mental fuel you need for your journey. Positive behaviour results from these positive thoughts. These tips will help you move in a positive direction in tough times. Your sense of optimism can fuel the extra effort needed to prevail in tough times or it can be an inhibiting force that keeps you down.2 Cor 4:17-18 NLT
9. THE PRINCIPLE OF NETWORKING: This is the process or practice of building up or maintaining informal relationships, especially with people whose friendship could bring advantages and productive and transforming opportunities to your life. John Donne, a seventeenth-century English poet and cleric wrote, "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main. . . “Who is as strong individually as we are collectively? No one. Connect to people who had been there, or are there but are willing to slog it out. The presence of relevant people in your life lessens your burdens but multiplies your strength especially in tough times.1 Sam 30:9-10KJV, Prov 27:9-10KJV
10. THE PRINCIPLE OF THE GOD-FACTOR: Men who have watered the storms of life are also known to be men connected to the supernatural. This I called ‘the God-Factor’. This is Africa and Nigeria in particular where religion takes the centre stage in everything we do. Connect to him, pray to him not to change your seasons and times but rather that He empowers you to go through the season and come out better. Then would have become a precious gem refined from the furnace of affliction. Ladies and gentlemen, even if tough people and tough timers fail and fall in tough times, in the end I like to announce to you unequivocally that Tough times never last but God’s peopleHeb 13:5KJV, Ps 50:15KJV
CONCLUSION
Having gone through some tough times myself in my search for identity and fulfilment of destiny, I know very well that walking out of tough times require vision, passion, economy, discipline, diligence and commitment. Time is not sufficient to discuss these in details. However, the tough times attitude you must embrace is that unless you are ready to die now, you have an opportunity to grow and become better. Plan to be around in a big and better way when tough times are over. Some will fail in tough times; some will survive, and some will thrive and turn out to be saviours. My question to you dear listener is, ‘Which will you do?’ Thank you so much for giving me your time and listening attention. I believe what I have shared with you will do you good if you take to them and do them consistently. Thank you and God bless!!!
