Get Back on a Horse and Charge!

We’ve all heard the expression “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” It’s a bit of a cliche to be said to someone in times of adversity or of great difficulty but the old saying does have its merits. There is, however, another way to look at it. I see it as GET BACK ON THAT HORSE AND CHARGE! I kind of got the idea from George Washington. Allow me explain to you what I mean.

During Washington’s military career, which included the French and Indian War as well as the American Revolution, he had his horse shot out from under him. This had actually happened to him several times throughout his military career. Washington, though, was not one to be deterred by such an occurrence. Old George would get back up, jump on another horse and once again lead the charge. It’s not just a great inspirational example of leadership but an attitude that could be admired by anyone facing adverse conditions.

The fact is that many people become discouraged by failure or adversity. Yet there is not anyone who has ever lived, who had become successful in one way or another, who has not failed or faced adversity prior to their success. George Washington is a prime example of that. Think of the adversity he faced as the Commander in Chief of the Continental army during the Revolutionary War. Would you believe that there were times when Washington himself became discouraged? That’s right, and maybe more often than most would think.

Washington had to lead an army comprised of militias from the states that consisted of members that would sign up for short enlistments. Washington would constantly have to train new troops each year. Many of the members of the state militias that served under his command were farmers who would enlist to serve during the fall and winter and go back to farming during the spring and summer months. They were far from being professional soldiers. Now add to that the fact that they were underpaid, poorly equipped, half naked and starving. Not to mention the fact that they were taking on the greatest military power of their time.

Washington lost numerous battles and had to constantly appeal to the continental congress for supplies, pay for his troops and arms. Many of his troops had no shoes and some even wore blankets around their waste because they had no trousers to wear. Blankets were cut into pieces and divided out to the men because they didn’t have enough blankets for each soldier. They would huddle together in huts to keep warm. Before the huts were built, they slept on the frozen ground. Diseases like small pox devastated their numbers as well as mass desertions. So what leader would not be discouraged by such things?

When, the cannonballs were flying, though, George was at his best. There were numerous reports of how Washington would be sprayed by the flying dirt and debris from nearby cannonball explosions and didn’t even so much as flinch. There were times when his troops were in the process of retreating from the British and he turned them around and led the charge. Of course we can’t forget the main point of the article. The times when he had his horse shot out from under him but got up, jumped on another one and once again led the charge. Now that’s a leader.

So what kind of adversity are you facing? Are you discouraged at times by your circumstances? That’s okay. It happens to the best of them. Yet, there is something that separates the best of them from the rest of them. The best of them get back on a horse and lead the charge. The rest of them just stay down and give up the fight.

Okay, so maybe there was only one George Washington and maybe you’re not in the midst of a battle with bullets whizzing inches from your head. There is a point however. The point is that you don’t have to give up in the face of adversity. There are those who have faced staggering odds like Washington and his half starved, half naked, under-trained and underpaid troops, taking on the greatest military force on the planet. It should make your challenges appear a little less, well, of a challenge. So why not get back on a horse and lead the charge? Make old General Washington proud.