“Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”

By Aws Alkhanjari - Resilience Coach

Updated: Jun 6

“Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”― Nelson Mandela. Strong words coming from someone whom the history knows and bear witness that underwent challenging times but never lost focus nor sense of direction. A real example of how a person can be resilient, build strength from what needs to be done, and be vigilant until you reach your ultimate objective.

What can be taken from his wise words and really attracted my attention, is how he directed his energy to what matters the most, and that is focusing on what needs to be done to maintain progress. Once he has identified the objective and visualised what success looks like and tasted it, he diverted is focus and energy on what needs to be done to reach it.

Some may describe it as being persistent. I say it is a true meaning of being resilient. Personally being persistent can at some stage make you lose focus because you are under unbearable pressure and you may not see straight, which may lead you towards deviating from your ultimate result and abandon it. However, being resilient is being adaptive to the surrounding and adjust your inner energy and controls to stretch, shrink, absorb and repeal as you deem fit to move forward. That is what will make you go back up again, no matter what calamities you endure.

The beauty of this approach is that success will come and whatever you’ve identified at the end is going to happen with the grace of our creator. Eventually, you will taste the fruits of your hard work.

Nelson Mandela is a true example of a man who talked the talk and walked the walk. He is someone to be admired and respect.

About the writer: Aws Alkhanjari a UAE national Self-Resilience professional coach works with organisation to build the capability to anticipate crises, react to short-term shocks and adjust to the unexpected disruption. Establish an essential strategy for the organisation to flourish in today’s dynamic world and achieved throughout time.