Why Embracing Challenges Is The Key
To A Fulfilling Life :
Dr . Jordan Peterson ’ s Lessons On Transforming Adversity Into Opportunity
BY ALLISON TROUTNER
L
ife is hard . It can be painful , tragic , and sometimes cruel . And no one is exempt . Although so few of us talk about this fact of life , acknowledging this reality is crucial , as Dr . Jordan Peterson highlighted at TMT ’ s 17th Annual IT Sales and Marketing Boot Camp in an on-stage conversation with Robin Robins , CEO and founder of TMT and MSP Success . “ It ’ s like an unspeakable truth ,” he observes , dismissing the idea of mindless happiness as “ preposterous .”
A distinguished clinical psychologist and University of Toronto professor , Peterson has made significant contributions to psychology , religion , ethics , and growth , with renowned books like 12 Rules for Life : An Antidote to Chaos and Beyond Order : 12 More Rules for Life , which have sold more than 7 million copies . His podcast is ranked 44th on Spotify in the U . S . and 5th in Canada , with almost a million listeners per episode and 55 million downloads .
Peterson regards adversity as a fundamental aspect of life , noting , “ There are endless pathways to tragedy , and that ’ s the basic condition of life in some ways .”
While we could choose to become bitter or vengeful , Peterson emphasizes that embracing challenges with the right mindset is crucial for unlocking our full potential . Adopting this approach not only fosters personal and professional growth but also enriches the adventure of life itself .
Face Adversity With Open Eyes
We don ’ t shelter our children from challenges . They wouldn ’ t develop the skills to explore their unlimited potential if we did . Instead , we encourage them to try , fail , and persist . But as adults , we often avoid challenges . We run , hide . We see them as a roadblock to whatever we ’ re trying to accomplish .
“ All the avoidance in the world isn ’ t going to save you from your fate ,” Peterson says . Whether it ’ s a fight with a spouse , a market recession , or the death of a loved one , our lives can feel like an endless succession of challenges . While distributed differently among us — in arbitrary and somewhat unfair ways , Peterson adds — we all will face them eventually .
But challenges can be transformative .
“ That ’ s how you find the pearl of greatness ,” Peterson explains . “ You face up to the genuine catastrophes of existence , and what happens is you find out that you can do it … no matter how hard or how bad it gets , there ’ s more to you than to whatever it is you have to face .”
He invites us to think of adversity as a dragon guarding treasure . At the risk of peril , a hero gives everything they have to face the dragon and reach the treasure . In doing so , they get the treasure and become a braver , more competent version of themselves .
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