Record Your Own High Quality Podcast
Thirty years ago, my life changed forever. I arrived in Australia as a member of my country's diplomatic corps with almost no understanding of English. I had to start all over again.
Not only that, but my life had begun many times before then, and I had failed numerous times, but going to war at the age of 18 and staying for over 5 years now feels like an action film.
The war obliterated everything I knew and drowned my dreams in a dark abyss. It was as if no one could hear my calls for aid, and the way forward was unclear.
However, I resisted.
I persisted.
I am 52 years old today, and I am not a victim of my past; rather, I have learned to accept every failure, setback, and wrong turn as a necessary part of the bigger journey.
I learned that resilience is more than just enduring life's challenges.
The essential quality that distinguishes people who only survive from those who thrive is persistence.
It's about refusing to let your circumstances define you and moving forward when everything seems to be against you.
Through every challenge, act of sabotage, and adversity life has thrown at me, I have personally witnessed this. My story could have ended with war, loss, and personal failures, but instead they served as stepping stones that brought me to this point.
Along the way, I've discovered that resilience is more than merely overcoming hardship.
The key is adaptation.
It's about turning every obstacle, struggle, and failure into a springboard for personal development.
Adversity doesn't make you stay the same; rather, it makes you stronger, smarter, and more driven to succeed.
War not only seized my house but also posed a threat to my soul. I fought in the Croatian War of Independence for more than 1,800 days in a row.
The tragedy of war could have destroyed me, but instead it left me with the conviction that survival was insufficient.
I had more in mind than just surviving.
I desired to prosper.
Despite the uncontrollable events that impacted my early military career, I resolved to make changes. I chose to overcome my circumstances instead of becoming bitter or allowing them to define who I am.
I looked for instruction and training in subjects including interrogation methods, human intelligence operations, and counterterrorism. These abilities, which appeared to be very different from my modest upbringing, served as the basis for the work I would eventually accomplish in the security and intelligence fields.
I travelled to Australia as part of my life's journey from the front lines.
Once more, it wasn't simple.
But persistence.
There, I started honing the abilities that would eventually result in the establishment of my own business, Insight Intelligence Group, which offers intelligence and investigation services.
However, life went on even then.
There were many challenges brought about by the global financial crisis, and I eventually had to start over.
I worked my way up from being a bouncer, delivery person, kitchen worker, and cleaner to the corporate position of national loss prevention manager.
I discovered the value of persistence during that period.
This is the capacity to find meaning and purpose despite insurmountable obstacles, to continue when everything seemed to be crumbling.
Turning misfortune into power
Being able to transform hardship into strength is what distinguishes resilient people. Resilient people use their experiences to drive their own development rather than moping over the injustice of life's disappointments or the anguish of loss.
I've come to see every setback and every wrong decision as teaching opportunities rather than obstacles in my life.
Despite the brutality of my path through war and adversity, it helped to shape me in ways I never would have imagined.
The tendency to view yourself as a victim of your situation is a common one. We are all human, and I know what it's like. I've placed the responsibility for my life on others.
In actuality, though, each challenge serves as a stepping stone. Every obstacle presents a chance for development.
One of the most important things I've ever learned comes from those hardships: persistence is about adjusting and growing stronger, not simply getting better.
Not only was I creating a company when I founded Insight Intelligence Group, but I was also creating a legacy for everything I had been through.
I founded my business on more than just intelligence or investigative skills.
Tenacity, fortitude, and a resolute belief that I could overcome any challenge, no matter how numerous, formed its foundation.
I feel thankful as I reflect on my journey today.
I am appreciative of the difficulties I encountered, the barriers I surmounted, and the disappointments that aided in my development.
However, I am also excited about the future. I am confident that I am strong enough to overcome any challenge.
I've learned that persistence isn't just about surviving—it's about thriving.
I didn't just make it through.
I overcame every hardship to advance, and now I can tell my story, not as a survivor, but as someone who succeeded despite all the difficulties.
And you can do it just as well as I can.
It takes a combination of mental, emotional, and physical fortitude to be persistent and consistent.
A person must cultivate a set of traits and abilities that enable them to maintain motivation and attention in the face of adversity if they want to be persistent and consistent in both their personal and professional lives.
Failure is one of the best teachers you will ever have, even though it is frequently seen as something to be avoided.
Every setback offers a chance to improve, develop, and learn.
Don't let failure scare you.
Accept it, grow from it, and use it to drive your success in the future.
There will always be difficulties in life, many of which are out of our control. However, we have power over how we handle such difficulties.
Focusing on our attitudes, behaviours, and thoughts can help us brave even the worst situations.
self-discipline is necessary for perseverance. This entails being able to maintain focus in the face of distractions or a decline in motivation.
Even on days when you don't feel like it, self-discipline ensures growth by assisting you in developing and maintaining routines.
Regardless of the situation outside of you, self-discipline enables you to keep moving steadily toward your objectives. It supports your commitment to long-term achievement, time management, and task prioritization.
Choosing to concentrate on the chances that arise from life's obstacles is what it means to have a positive mindset, not dismissing them.
Even in the most challenging circumstances, there is always a positive aspect. You may recognize those possibilities and take advantage of them if you have an optimistic outlook.
Unexpected shifts are a part of both life and business.
Persistence requires flexibility to change course when things don't go as planned.
Being adaptable when faced with new facts or challenges is essential to keeping on course and coming up with fresh ideas.
Being adaptable keeps you from becoming bogged down in your goals or demoralized by obstacles because it enables you to change course when needed.
It enables you to change directions without losing sight of your end objective.
Willpower and determination—an unrelenting will to keep going no matter what challenges come your way—are the foundations of perseverance. It's about keeping moving on despite feeling worn out or demoralized.
Even in the face of adversity, determination motivates you to keep striving toward your objectives.
Grit enables you to stay focused throughout time, making sure you don't give up after the initial setback.
Maintaining momentum in the face of adversity is the key to developing resilience. Sometimes progress is as simple as taking the next step; it doesn't have to be significant. Continue moving forward, no matter how tiny, and have faith that every step will get you closer to your objectives.
It takes a combination of mental toughness, practical abilities, and inner power to be persistent and consistent in both life and work.
Adaptability, patience, self-control, and resilience all contribute to maintaining your focus on your objectives. By developing these strengths, you can build a strong foundation that enables you to proceed in spite of challenges.
In addition to achieving success, perseverance and consistency help you develop the inner strength and character that will enable you to overcome whatever obstacles life may throw at you.
My story is about tenacity, fortitude, and growth, not about having it all figured out.
I want to inspire you to think that you are strong enough to overcome whatever challenges you encounter. You can keep going despite any obstacles that may arise.
In my podcast, “Life: The Battlefield”, I urge you to join me as we discuss our experiences, perspectives, and methods for dealing with life's most difficult obstacles.
We can encourage one another to keep going no matter what if we work together.
Every obstacle you face serves as a stepping stone instead of a barrier.
Thus, continue.
Continue your way.
And never, ever give up.
© Mario Bekes. All rights reserved. | ABN 62 757 932 640 | Suite 6, 11 - 13 Brookhollow Avenue Bella Vista NSW 2153
