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Each of us has experienced a Moment of Truth, where an ideasuddenly becomes crystal clear, and we know with uncanny certaintythat new doors are opening before us. It can happen in the middleof an ordinary conversation, while reading a book or while hearingsomeone make a speech. Or it can happen during times of adversity,when the moment is more like a thunderbolt.
A Moment of Truth during difficult times often brings on change,but it's frequently accompanied by strength to deal with thatchange. These Moments of Truth are often also Moments ofOpportunity.
Following is a perfect example of a Moment of Truth, from ahighly successful entrepreneur:
Today, Anthony Wainwright, co-author of the book Moments of Truth: Real Stories of Life-ChangingInspiration (Signet) and vice chair at McKinney &Silver, is a huge success. But he wasn't always doing so well.When he was 29 years old, three hardships struck him at once.First, he had to have major surgery for a severe case of ileitis.Shortly thereafter, he lost his job. Then the most seriousadversity struck: His second daughter was born with spina bifidaand died within a year.
"I got down on my knees, and I thought 'There areonly two ways to go,' " recalls Wainwright. "'I'm either going to pull myself together, or it'sthe end of me.' I pulled myself together. I worked harder thanever before. But even more important, I never forgot what happenedto me. From that moment on, I dedicated a portion of my life tohelping other people, doing things I never would have considered ifI had not been through adversity myself.
"There are now three things that help me get throughadversity. One is prayer. The second is the absolute belief thattomorrow will be better than today. And the third is that Idon't take things personally. If something happens to me, Idon't spend time feeling sorry for myself; I figure out a wayto overcome it. The winners are those who never give up."
Moments of Truth happen every day. They're not always asdramatic as the events in Wainwright's life, but they arewake-up calls. Whether your Moment of Truth comes through adversityor through a gentle reminder, remember this: The greatestentrepreneurs are like tea bags-you never know their true strengthuntil they're in hot water.
