What’s Your Secret to Overcoming Difficult Times?
In this heartfelt exploration, seven CEOs and Senior Coaches share their triumphs over life’s hurdles and the wisdom they’ve gleaned on the pursuit of happiness. From embracing joy in life’s small moments to balancing self-care and happiness, these leaders recount personal journeys that reveal the resilience of the human spirit and the many facets of joy.
- Joy in Life’s Small Moments
- Strength From Life’s Adversity
- Gratitude Amidst Life’s Challenges
- Perseverance Brings Technological Triumph
- Faith and Gratitude During Crisis
- Growth Through Humility and Accountability
- Balance in Self-Care and Happiness
Joy in Life’s Small Moments
I recently found myself in the role of “only daughter caretaker” for my mother during a rough period in her life. It was, and is, an incredibly stressful situation to be in while also trying to run a business and be a good partner, friend, and leader.
It was during one of the many drives back across Colorado from Missouri, after being surrounded by years of unmade decisions, deferred happiness, and “someday projects,” that I realized NOW is the time to find happiness in the little things.
When I got home the last time around, I made it a practice to find little moments to just turn everything off and enjoy with my partner—nothing fancy or expensive, just time well spent with each other, even if it’s only five minutes. It’s the uncomplicated moments that bring the most joy.
Larissa Uredi
CEO, No-Where Consultants
Strength From Life’s Adversity
Watching my mother go through cancer was the hardest thing I have ever gone through in the 40 years I have been on this earth. It showed me how hard life can be. And her successfully beating cancer was the happiest day of my life.
Since then, when anything gets me down, I think about what she went through, and how bad life once was and can be. This helps me get through almost anything now.
Jeff Michael
E-commerce Business Owner, Supplement Warehouse
Gratitude Amidst Life’s Challenges
My close friend has faced a lot of problems in their life. Every day is tough for her. She comes from a very conservative background. She is 27 years old, still isn’t financially stable, and also faces pressure from her family to get married.
Despite all this, she smiles every day and works professionally. I asked her, “How do you handle your life’s challenges?” She told me, “Life is very short, buddy. If you focus on problems, you only get negativity in your life. But with one positive thought, like telling yourself everything is good, all is well, and compared to other poor people who have no money and food to live, we should be grateful and happy. Always thank God for providing a stable life.”
I was struck, and at that time, I challenged myself to push through, achieve my goals, and be mentally strong.
Faizan Khan
PR and Content Marketing Specialist, Ubuy UK
Perseverance Brings Technological Triumph
When we expanded our platform to include online Japanese classes, technology was our main hurdle. It was foreign, daunting, and had crying moments in server rooms, but we never backed down.
By prioritizing user experience, every error was a lesson; every fix meant progress. In tweaking code and late-night testing, I discovered that happiness is digging deep.
It isn’t the smooth operation but the glitches that make success sweeter. Happiness is persevering in the face of adversity that opens doors to breakthroughs.
Nooran Zafarmand
Co-Founder and CEO, Japamana
Faith and Gratitude During Crisis
My family faced a challenging period when my husband lost his job during the pandemic in 2020. I found I gained new strength through practicing gratitude daily and relying on my faith in God. I found that true happiness comes from appreciating the present moment, finding joy in the little things, and trusting in God’s provision, regardless of the circumstances.
Kristina Ramos
Reverse Recruiter, Find My Profession
Growth Through Humility and Accountability
Overseeing a product recall was one of the toughest challenges in my career. We had to take responsibility for a mistake that cost us dearly. Amidst this crisis, I learned that happiness is not just about success but also about acknowledging failure and restoring trust. That period taught me that happiness is a journey of humility, accountability, and constant learning.
Abid Salahi
Co-Founder and CEO, FinlyWealth
Balancing Self-Care and Happiness
A few years back, I went through a pretty tough time in my life. I was juggling a demanding job, family responsibilities, and trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It felt like I was constantly running on empty, and it started taking a toll on my mental and physical well-being.
One day, I hit a breaking point. I realized I needed to prioritize my happiness and well-being, or I wouldn’t be able to effectively help others on their fitness journeys. It was a tough decision, but I made some significant changes in my lifestyle. I started setting boundaries, delegating tasks, and making time for self-care, including regular workouts.
The lesson I learned during this challenging period was that true happiness comes from a balance in all aspects of life. It’s not just about achieving professional success or having a picture-perfect family life. It’s about taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally.
James Cunningham
Senior Coach, Total Shape
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