What to Do When Adversity Strikes

We learn so much about ourselves in times of adversity. Fortunately for us, the cameras were rolling last weekend giving us a glimpse of how champions respond to a setback.

With the Kansas City Chiefs trailing 3-0 to the Buffalo Bills, second year player, Mecole Hardman, fumbled a punt. He was distraught as the Bills went on to score making the score 9-0.

Here’s where it gets special. You see and hear star player, Patrick Mahomes, grab the young player’s attention. “We are good. You’re going to make a play for us.” Then he starts rallying the team saying “Be us! We’ve been here before.”

The next series, Hardman makes a “splash” play on an end around. He follows it up with a wide receiver screen for a touchdown.
Here’s my favorite part. After the score, All-Pro tight end, Travis Kelce smacks Hardman’s hand and says, “That’s how you handle adversity. You smack it right in the mouth!”

I don’t know much, but the one thing I do know is that adversity is a part of life. No one is immune to it. Whoever it is that you admire, I can promise you that there have been obstacles along the way.

Since adversity is a part of the game, how we choose to handle it is the difference maker.

The Chiefs gave us a Master’s class in handling a challenge. That’s what champions do.

This week, when the life’s inevitable challenges present themselves let’s respond like champions. While others complain, let’s choose to “smack it in the mouth.”

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