If you are unsure who Stoffel is, I urge you to watch this brief BBC documentary: Stoffel, the honey badger that does not give up . View here: https://youtu.be/c36UNSoJenI 

You may have seen this clip some time back, but for me it doesn't get old; the honey badger uses every means possible to create his desired outcome and doesn't give up. What we can learn from these incredibly resilient and intelligent creatures is amazing. No matter how difficult, tenacity and willingness to achieve your goal are paramount. Sadly, many of us far too easily throw in the towel when the answer to our problems may be right in front of us.
 

Fight or flight 

There are perhaps two instinctive answers to challenges. We can either rise to the challenge and meet it head-on or abandon it entirely. The middle ground is rarely an option.

However, when faced with challenges and feeling boxed in, we need to stay calm and think. Confronting a challenge means acknowledging the difficulties you may face. It also means you're willing and accepting of its existence which is already half the battle won. While staying calm and thoughtful, it's important to create a battle plan which will help push you through and prepare you for future similar challenges you may face down the road.
 

Resilience and Outcomes 

How many times can you get put back down, and how many times do you get up? Resilience is our ability to handle negative outcomes we did not plan for and is the key to our resolve or how quickly we bounce back. One crucial survival tip is knowing which battles to fight and what situations are better to adapt to. Compromise.

According to Human Development Expert Dr Ginsburg, there are 7 integral and interrelated components that makeup being resilient - competence, confidence, connection, character, contribution, coping and control. To better understand what that means, consider reading through this brief Article.

Her expertise extends to how we teach our children resilience and how to better prepare them for the world as they grow.

Positive mindset
 
Negative self-talk is your inner voice telling you why everything is terrible. It's the binding factor to how we resolve issues and often reflects outwardly in our emotions and approach day-to-day work. It's not easy getting out of this mindset, as it can be a form of catharsis for some.

However, we can't keep going through the motions; we must think positively and be resilient to unforeseen circumstances. You can learn to turn negative thinking into positive thinking. The process is simple, but it does take time and practice - you're creating a new habit, after all.

Be kind to yourself - don't wallow. Find the silver lining!
 

Act Quickly to Consumer Demand

Finally, on a more business-related note, most, if not all of us, are quite aware of the recent announcement by Hellmann's to no longer export their popular mayonnaise to the country. While some of us saw this as a portent of South Africa's inevitable market collapse, other local companies took the opportunity to fill in the gap. 

From what was just a joke to entering into total production, Nomu mayo might be the company we need to fill the gap. The simple fact is every challenge presents an opportunity, and bad tidings can be turned into good timing. Read More Here

"If all goes to plan, we will have gone from tactical to practical in four weeks." - Paul Raphaely 

Regardless of the situation, it is not the constant battle going on in our minds that defines who we are, but the manner in which we act on our resolve.

Take care, 
Jonathan Broekman