What you do with your anvils determines your ultimate success.
Each day, you are writing your life story. In doing so, it is important to capitalize on your anvils.
What is an anvil? The definition for “Anvil” in my 1828 Webster’s Dictionary is: “An iron block with a smooth face, on which smiths hammer and shape their work. Figuratively, anything on which blows are laid.” To understand an anvil, and the purpose behind it, we have to have a basic understanding of inertia. Inertia simply defined is: “the resistance of an object to change its motion.” A physical anvil has to have enough inertia (enough resistance of motion) to transfer the force of being hit by a hammer back into whatever the hammer is attempting to shape.
From a leadership perspective, anvils are the things in life that shape and bring about change in you. An anvil is a test or a trial that challenges you to step-up and be or do something you have never done before. Anvils can be used to lead to a new or altered sense of identity. They help to define your unique greatness. Capitalizing on your anvils requires you to learn from adversity, clarify your values, confront the normal, and develop finer distinctions (wisdom). Coaching legend John Wooden says, “Adversity is the anvil on which our character and strength is forged.”
When you refuse to use resistance for your growth, you do not benefit from the anvil that can shape your growth. You go through the same “stuff in life” until you allow your anvils to shape you in such a way that you can grow through what you are going through.
It’s what you do with your anvils that determines your ultimate success!
What do you do to recognize and learn from your anvils? Leave a comment below.
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