​By Eliana Barriga
Publisher and Managing Editor for The Retail Observer

“That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.” This is probably one of the most memorable quotes from German philosopher Nietzsche, as it reflects the human condition and motivates us to become resilient. This quote inspires me — the harnessing of potential in the face of adversity.

Challenges help us to identify our wants from our needs, which initiates creativity and innovation, and inspiring solutions — which is how we have gotten everything we take for granted today from our food, homes, medicine, movies to technology. Necessity truly is the mother of invention. It helps us to redefine all that we do and inspires us to come up with new and creative solutions to revitalize the underperforming aspects of our lives and businesses.

We are currently enduring a global crisis as a nation, which has affected us all in many different ways as individuals, families and business owners. Not one of us, or our company or organization can ever anticipate every possible crisis to come. And when crisis is here, instead of standing idly and waiting for someone else to decide our future, we need to develop strength through goodwill and ingenuity, which lasts and helps us emerge from crisis stronger. Getting back on track demonstrates our organizational resilience.

Then there is Nietzsche’s other quote, “He who has a strong enough why can conquer almost any how.”

One concentration camp victim and survivor of the Holocaust lived to tell the world how holding on to a future possibility by having a strong enough “why” made all the difference in his life. His “why” was much bigger than himself, and he decided “not to die,” becoming much stronger for it.

​The mind is so strong that it can weaken or strengthen us. Survival, and strengthening our place in life, is completely up to us. Developing an inner strength is what’s responsible for producing an outer source of strength, and that outer source of strength is what keeps us from becoming defeated.

This is reflected in our businesses — right now it’s “do or die” time. That means doing something different than you’ve been doing in the past. Create a positive picture of the future in order to stay alive. So, like in all life’s challenges, what does not kill us makes us stronger, and this can be applied to you and your business.

Here’s to becoming stronger!
Eliana Barriga
eliana@retailobserver.com

​By Eliana Barriga
Publisher and Managing Editor for The Retail Observer

In today’s upside-down world filled with the deadlines, debt, worries, and other serious challenges we may find ourselves facing these days, it’s easy to fall into the trap of the waiting game during your pursuit of happiness.

Waiting for a better break, or a new job? Waiting for the phone to ring, or what money will bring? Hoping for better health and well-being, or a relationship with meaning, or things to be better, or different weather? Waiting for tomorrow, or something to borrow, or a body of steel, or to cut a deal, or for the kids to behave, or your way to be paved?

Time waits for no one, so don’t waste precious time waiting for something or someone to make you happy or rich. The clock is running... how are you spending your valuable time?

As I was shopping in our home improvement center yesterday, I was talking to the salesman about fixing-up properties for re-sale, which is something I like to do. He told me how much he enjoys it and how there are deals out there right now, so I asked him why he wasn’t out there doing it. His response was, “I’m waiting for the economy to get better.” How many times have I heard that?

How many of us are waiting for the economy to get better? Stop It! Stop waiting for circumstances outside yourself to change, to do, or have what you want in your life or business. Use the challenges you face to your advantage, including the economy. Take care of those in your community that need your help. A lot of bad things have happened to good people who need another chance to get back on track. How can you help? Do you have a dream? How about including others in your dream?

Don’t wait—get up every morning and greet the new day. My mama used to say, “The early bird gets the worm”, and she was right. Go after your dreams and do what you need to do to make them come true.

The pursuit of happiness isn’t waiting for you!

Go be in your happy place,
Eliana Barriga
​eliana@retailobserver.com