Survive to Thrive

Twenty-seven resilient entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders shared their stories of persistence and survival in the midst of big challenges, including cancer, a crumbling marriage, and a destructive corporate culture.  For example, these three ordinary people find themselves pushed beyond where they had planned - or hoped to go - but they tap inner resources that somehow prevail:

Andy Sack, co-founder of several successful high-tech startups, survived a battle with cancer to carry on in work and life with a renewed sense of purpose and self-compassion

Jodie Fox, whose emotional intelligence and ability to stay in the moment enabled her to continue building a multi-million dollar retailing enterprise even as her marriage was crumbling

Brent Dailey, a Stanford MBA who found himself alienated by a ruthless corporate culture, went on to found RoundPegg, a service that helps companies attract, retain, and engage

employees, with the intent that no employee should have to suffer the same fate.

How do we take these individual experiences and convert them to our own particular challenges?  The authors offer these index card mantras:

I AM:

*  A person people can like and love

*  Loving and empathetic

*  Willing to be responsible for what I do

I HAVE:

*  People I trust and who love me, no matter what

*  Role models

*  Health, education, and support

I CAN:

*  Communicate

*  Manage feelings and solve problems

*  Seek out trusting relationships

Wow, for a person in recovery from cancer treatment, these reminders are absolutely perfect.  The challenge of building and rebuilding a life while being taken down by MRIs, cancer waiting rooms (the worst), endless examinations, pills, IVs, looks so much simpler and cleaner with I AM, I HAVE and I CAN.  And on their website they have a downloadable APP!!!  Thank you Hoque and Dishman!