How I Learned the DIFFERENCE Between the Two... by Hall of Fame Speaker and Author Floyd Wickman

I've been thinking a lot this week about my first opportunity to speak to the men's group at my church. It was during some of the toughest economic times that have ever hit my home town area in Michigan.

Preparing, I thought about those who would be in my audience - many of whom had lost their jobs, lost the equity they'd built in their homes, or postponed their retirement plans. Some were facing even more adversities ahead. How could my message move them to believe in themselves again?  How could I make a difference in their lives?

I decided to check with my Big Brother Zig. Before long, we were discussing the Michigan economy and its unemployment rate, which was approaching an all-time high. As always, he had a lesson for me. "When adversity strikes, you have two choices: to "react" or to "respond."

I remember feeling confused when he said this. I thought reacting and responding were the same thing. The dictionary even uses one to define the other, so how could they be opposite choices? But Zig patiently explained the difference. He said that we always have two choices when adversity comes along. We can "react" negatively, suffering the consequences of the adversity. Or we can choose to "respond" positively, turning the negatives into benefits, or as they say, "make lemons into lemonade."

Imagine you are in a boxing ring. You face your opponent. You get hit hard and are knocked down to the mat. You "react" by falling. When you get back up to keep fighting, you have moved past the reaction. Now, you are choosing to "respond."

Every human being encounters changes in their lives that are negative. It is part of being alive. How we perceive those changes, choosing to "react" negatively or to "respond" positively, is completely up to each individual. This is free will, and it is one of God's gifts to us. We are able to choose what we want to think and believe.

These times we live in have both adversities and opportunities aplenty!  Ask yourself:  Have you been reacting or responding?

I loved this lesson and wanted to share it from my new book, Lessons From My Brother Zig. Learn more about it here!  I'd love to hear what you think!

Floyd Wickman, CSP, CPAE, National Speakers Association Hall of Fame, Keynote Speaker Floyd Wickman has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of sales professionals around the globe with a "get by giving" philosophy and consistently fresh and timely tools. His captivating humor and distinct ability to connect with every member of his audiences earned him the title, "The Extraordinary Ordinary Man" by Salesperson Magazine. Named by the National Association of REALTORS® and REALTOR Magazine® as one of the Top 25 Most Influential People in Real Estate, today Floyd has spoken to more than 3,000 audiences in North America and abroad and trained more than 250,000 students worldwide. To learn ,more about Floyd and his team visit www.FloydWickman.com and follow him on Facebook at facebook.com/FloydWickmanTeam