Bad times spawn great things?

[Ethan]

I've noticed that a good number of the big self development gurus (Assaraf, Demartini, Vitale, others from The Secret) had rough spots in their lives that became the motivation point for success. I've thought about it and it seems like those who have it really bad have a reason to do better, it's like they have more motivation to do what needs to be done. It seems to me, in a way, that they're better off like that, because the mother of all invention (or progress in this case) is need. So does it seem like to you, 'middle class' people with decent everything have a harder time reaching success? I'm a part of that demographic and I've thought about that before. It's probably not the best belief for me to hold...but it seems logical to me at the time.

Thoughts?

[justin]

I've often thought about this exact thing.

It seems like many "successful" people hit rock bottom at one point or another. I've often wondered, "do I have to hit rock bottom to be successful?"

That lead me to wonder if I could fabricate a "rock bottom," if I could consciously make myself poor, live in hardship for a while, struggle to make ends meet. Would that be the same as unintentionally hitting rock bottom?

[stalker]

I thought about that too and I believe it's true.

Very interesting idea, Justin, didn't think about that yet! Actually that's what monks do, right? They force themselves to live without anything of their own.

[KevinG]

It's most certainly not necessary to hit rock bottom, but it does seem to drive a lot of people.

However, you have to have the right mindset. More often than not, more people can't come back from rock bottom.

If you notice, there are a lot more people at rock bottom in this world than at the top. Obviously it takes a special person to respond positively to rock bottom and change their entire life around.

I don't think there is a positive correlation between hitting rock bottom and being successful, but there is a positive correlation between people with the right mindset hitting rock bottom and then turning things around.

So no, it isn't necessary, but it is a fuel for SOME people.

[Andrew Brunelle]

When I hit rock bottom, I was addictved to shoplifting. It started out small with candy and books, but it progressed to the point that I was stealing from the feminine products aisle. One day I got away with a box of tampons and a strawberry douche and I finally said, "Look what you've become." That was when i turned my life around....Now I am in a better place, but I kept the box of tampons as a reminder to who I was. Call it a memento.

[mattmcc]

Hey Ethan,

Good question you raise. I find the normal, middle-class lifestyle of North America does not offer much in the way of growth. So the only thing to do is go out there and put yourself in challenging situations that require you to grow and learn about yourself.

For me, I joined a youth leadership organisation at my university where I had the change to do a few exchanges in other countries that are vastly different from my native Canada and take on leadership positions where I was leading teams. These situations really helped to challenge me and when I look back and compare myself to what I was five years ago I can really notice the difference.

Probably any challenge you're interested in would do. Some possible examples are martial arts, sports, rock climbing, entrepreneurship, traveling, meditating, etc. etc. It doesn't matter specifically what the challenge is as long as you're fully interested in doing it.

I don't think it's so much a factor of "hitting rock bottom" as it is proving to yourself that you can overcome challenging situations and come out stronger as a result. That's what gives you the confidence and courage to tackle bigger things.