Tougher Than The Times Archive

Tougher than the Times: Breakdown to Breakthrough

March 31, 2009

March/2009

In This Issue

Article: Breakdown to Breakthrough

News & Events

Breakdown to Breakthrough

by Rolfe Carawan

"Many systems of breakdown are actually harbingers of breakthrough" - Dr. Ilya Prigogine, winner of the Nobel Prize

In Prigogine's Nobel work, he concluded that everything approaches a place where "all seems lost".   He believed that much like a broken bone heals stronger in the place it was broken, when we reach a place of breakdown - personally, corporately, or even nationally - we either die or we emerge much stronger than we were before.

This concept was never more boldly displayed than when Lance Armstrong made the incredible journey from near-death to becoming the greatest cyclist in history. As a cyclist myself, his example simply leaves me in awe.   When he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, he was not even expected to survive.   Much to the surprise of his fans and enemies alike, he recovered and won the Tour de France a record-breaking seven consecutive years, from 1999 to 2005. In response to his amazing accomplishment, he said, "I could not have won one Tour if I had not had cancer."

Lance's story of a breakdown leading to a breakthrough, while remarkable, certainly isn't original. Maya Angelou went mute for five years before finding the "voice" that we have all grown to love and respect as a nation.   Anne Rice tried for years to become a published author.   Only after losing her daughter to leukemia and battling severe alcoholism, did she write her masterpiece: Interview with a Vampire.   Others have experienced similar breakthroughs after extremely difficult times including Walt Disney, Ernest Hemingway, and Ayn Rand.

In a much less dramatic example, I would not be where I am today if it were not for the places of "breakdown" in my own life.   After leaving the speaking platform for a few years, I expected to return to it without missing a beat. Instead, I returned to the speaking world to find that it had changed dramatically. None of the "old rules" applied.   When I left, I was one of the few speakers that actually made a living as a speaker. When I returned, I quickly realized that a simple "re-organization" of my speaking business wouldn't be enough. I needed a complete reinvention.

Fortunately, I found that the "best" of me was not encapsulated on the actual platform.   The best use of my own talent lie in the foundational coaching, training, and relational gifts that supported (but were not showcased in) my speaking business for so long. However, if I hadn't been forced to reinvent myself and my business, I would still be selling speeches - rather than offering solutions.

As I write this, I am reminded of the many conversations I have had lately with clients, colleagues, and friends.   Many people and many industries are experiencing a sort of "skid row" in their circumstances. From the White House to Wall Street to Main Street, people are facing unprecedented challenges and resulting chaos and looking for answers and solutions. This is why I find Prigogine's work so encouraging.   He wrote that, "All machines eventually run down and burn out. It is out of this chaos, turmoil, and disorder that higher levels of order and wisdom emerge." The author of Eight Keys to Greatness agrees and wrote "If you haven't visited the bottom, it is highly unlikely you will ever make it to the very top."

Fortunately, I join many of my colleagues and clients in believing that we have made it through the worst and have every reason to expect to see things slowly turning around. Still, when speaking to audiences around the world, I am compelled to remind them that we are not enduring challenge simply for the sake of challenge itself.   We are called to use these times to grow stronger, more agile and more courageous. During tough times, we are called to solidify our will and our determination.   We are called to Run to the Roar, Baby!

What's Going On With Rolfe

News & Events

Rolfe equips the "BEST CAR DEALERSHIP IN THE NATION" to get Tougher Than the Times. While other dealers are closing their doors, Freedom Ford is building their business to include the new purchase of Phillips Volvo in Virginia Beach.

Rolfe inspires NCAAA Football Champion's winning season!

Rolfe speaks to the Vistage CEO Group in Richmond.

Rolfe partners with Congressman Randy Forbes to write a ground breaking book, Run to the Roar: A Fable of Choice, Courage, and Hope, due out this Spring. Be sure to visit Rolfe's blog for more details.

Rolfe casts a clear vision for Virginia Eye Care.

Rolfe sponsors "Run to the Roar" week May 3-9... a new national holiday to support choice, courage and hope!

Rolfe is scheduled to inspire bureaus and fellow speakers at the IASB Convention April 23-25.

Rolfe Carawan
Carawan Global Communications & Consulting