Ep 12: The Secret to Success Isn’t What You Think with Bethany Hamilton

The Secret to Success Isn’t What You Think

 

0:56 You Need This When Life Knocks You Down.

12:38 How to Become Unstoppable with Bethany Hamilton

33:55 Feel Like Giving Up? Start Here.

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Today, we’re talking about the secret to success, and I guarantee you, it's not what you think. And then I get to sit down and have an awesome conversation with the amazing Bethany Hamilton. You've probably heard of her—she’s a professional surfer, inspirational speaker, author, mom and wife. Her incredible story will inspire you. Then, I’ll take you through some journal questions on the idea of perseverance when you feel like giving up.

 

You Need This When Life Knocks You Down.

When it comes to reaching goals, pushing past limits, and trying new things, we often look to successful people to give us a formula we can follow. But so often, we’re looking to the wrong things. We think it’s their financial status, the relationships they have, the connections they make, what family they were born into, or even how they’re uniquely wired.

And while some of that may be true, those are not the true indicators of success. It comes down to one word. Are you ready for it? Perseverance. It’s about pushing through and being willing to try again. And again. And again. It's persistence and never giving up.

When we fail or fall down, it hurts. It bruises our ego and wounds our hope for the future. And that voice in our head starts to get really loud: Never again. I'm not going to do that again. I'm not going to risk that again. I'm not going to put myself out there like that again. See, that's proof. I never should’ve done that. See, that was dangerous. See, I wasn't cut out for that. See, I told you.

We look at our failures and mistakes, and we use them as proof of why we never should’ve done the thing to begin with.

I had a speaking event where I absolutely bombed—like, I wanted to disappear behind the podium. I cried the entire drive back to Nashville and told myself, Never again. I'll never speak again. I'll never walk on a stage. I'll never put myself out there like that to be embarrassed or humiliated again. Never again. But I did. And I'm so glad I did, because the number one reason I've been able to do anything I do is because I was willing to try again.

It’s all about perseverance. Just simply getting back up, dusting yourself off, and being willing to show up again and hold your head high—even when you're embarrassed.

 

How to Become Unstoppable with Bethany Hamilton

Y’all, Bethany Hamilton joined me today to talk about becoming unstoppable. Bethany is a professional surfer, wife, mom, author and inspirational speaker. You may remember her story from the movie Unstoppable. Bethany had to learn how to persevere through the unimaginable. I know her story will inspire you to keep going and approach life with gratitude. Here are some highlights from our conversation:

Developing confidence through challenges Getting back on the surfboard after her shark attack Thinking outside the box of what we think is possible Approaching life with gratitude and maximizing the life you have Setting boundaries that will help you love the life you live

 

Feel Like Giving Up? Start Here.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. — Romans 5:3–4 (NIV)

Perseverance is not just a leadership quality. It’s a biblical truth. And perseverance isn't just a quality that some people are born with. It's not just a leadership trait. It's a choice when you face obstacles. When you go through hard times, or when you experience heartbreak or tragedy, you have a choice of how you respond.

You could have a million excuses (many of which would be valid), or you could be grateful—you could persevere. You could find a way to get up and try again. You have no idea how that one action, decision or choice in how you respond to your suffering can change the trajectory of your life and the lives around you. Imagine the people you could influence and inspire because you chose to persevere through your suffering.

Perseverance produces character. I want character, don't you? Character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint. We’re called to be hopeful. This is what God created us to do, and who He created us to be.

I would love for you to pause, pray and reflect as you journal through these questions:

When you face a really hard time, setback, failure or mistake, how do you normally respond? What are you afraid off when it comes to trying again? What small action can you take to do it scared?