Difficult seasons are inevitable in business and life, but these seasons don’t have to become permanent roadblocks. Let’s look at seven quotes from individuals who used adversity to become stronger and what small business owners can learn from them.
Quotes on failure
“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” —Walt Disney
Today, Walt Disney is known as a successful filmmaker and theme park creator, but his early life was anything but easy. Disney first started drawing as a way to escape from an abusive parent.
His first cartooning business went bankrupt, and his acting attempts also failed. He finally found success after creating the character Mickey Mouse. His career was full of ups and downs, but Disney’s perseverance always got him through the hard times.
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” —Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou was an activist, a novelist, and an inspiration to millions of people. Although she spoke six languages and taught American Studies at Wake Forest University, Angelou never earned a college degree.
In the 1960s, Angelou became involved in the civil rights movement and became a prolific writer. Throughout her life, she has inspired countless people to rise up, even in the midst of misfortune. For that reason, she was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010 by President Obama.
Quotes on persistence and growth
“I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that's how you grow. When there's that moment of 'Wow, I'm not really sure I can do this,' and you push through those moments, that's when you have a breakthrough.” —Marissa Mayer
When Marissa Mayer served as CEO of Yahoo, she faced intense scrutiny from shareholders. Expectations for a turnaround at Yahoo were high, and she was widely criticized for her leadership skills.
Mayer ended up resigning from Yahoo and moved on to start her own venture. She’s always managed to push through challenges thanks to her resilience and persistence.
“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” —Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt is widely regarded as one of the greatest U.S. presidents in history. He overcame debilitating asthma and never settled for complacency, even though he grew up with family money. He understood that it was necessary to take action in times of difficulty, and his presidency reflected this.
Setbacks can be a stepping stone to success if you treat these moments as learning opportunities. Your biggest failures can make you stronger if you have the right attitude.
Quotes on success and opportunity
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” —Helen Keller
Helen Keller knew all about adversity—she was born blind and deaf but overcame both obstacles to become an educator and advocate. Keller recognized that there’s always something to be gained from the most difficult situation if you take the time to look.
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.” —Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington was born a slave and spent most of his early life in poverty. His family later moved to West Virginia, where he spent his days packing salt. As a young adult, Washington worked as a janitor to pay his way through school.
He persisted in becoming an educator and founded the Tuskegee Institute, which is now known as Tuskegee University. He’s an example that the road to success is paved with many challenges, but if you can stick with it, you’ll eventually come out on the other side.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” —Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill is the two-time Prime Minister best known for leading the United Kingdom to victory during World War II. Growing up, he was largely neglected by his family, and his political career was anything but easy.
But Churchill overcame this adversity to build a remarkable career. And he understood that even in the midst of hardship, we can still find ways to give back to others.
Lessons small business owners can learn from these quotes
Each of those quotes can teach entrepreneurs powerful lessons about navigating challenges and facing adversity. Here’s how you can apply these lessons to your business:
- Embracing change: Instead of getting stuck ruminating over previous failures, train yourself to look for new opportunities. The ability to pivot and adapt to constantly changing circumstances is a key trait for any business owner.
- Adversity can make you stronger: Setbacks can be a stepping stone to success if you treat these moments as learning opportunities. Your biggest failures can make you stronger if you have the right attitude.
- Learning from failure: Failure is inevitable, and how you respond to it is what matters. Use every challenge to improve your business strategies and lean into your purpose.
- Taking action and leaning into discomfort: As a business owner, it’s important to be decisive and push past your comfort zone. Leaders who take bold action tend to be the ones who experience the biggest breakthroughs.
- Focusing on what you can give: Finally, you should focus on what you can give to your customers and employees. The most successful businesses also tend to be the ones that provide the most value.
How to build resilience in your business
All the people quoted in this article developed resilience by facing challenges and learning from their setbacks. Here are a few ways you can develop that same mindset in your own business:
- Build your support network: Every business owner needs people they can turn to for advice and perspective. Mentors, peers, and local business organizations can help you navigate challenges and avoid feeling like you have to solve every problem alone.
- Focus on what you can control: It's easy to waste energy worrying about things like the economy, competitors, or changing customer behavior. Instead, concentrate on the decisions and actions that are within your control.
- Learn something from every setback: When something doesn't go as planned, take a few minutes to write down what happened, what it cost you, and what you'll do differently next time. Treat every challenge as an opportunity to improve rather than a reason to quit.
- Protect your energy: Resilience isn't about working nonstop, so take time to rest, set healthy boundaries, and step away when you need a different perspective. You'll make better decisions when you're not running on empty.
- Reconnect with your purpose: During difficult seasons, remind yourself why you started your business in the first place. Focusing on the customers you serve and the impact you're trying to make can help you stay motivated when progress feels slow.
- Celebrate your progress: Don't wait until you reach your biggest goals to recognize your accomplishments. Acknowledging how far you've come can build the confidence you need to keep moving forward.
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
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