Cyclist Lance Armstrong was stricken with testicular cancer and went through intense chemotherapy before he came back to win the Tour de France seven consecutive times.

Paul Mitchell Systems and Patron Tequila co- founder John Paul Dejoria went from being homeless to building a multi-billion dollar company.

Les Brown was labeled mentally retarded as a child, dropped out of high school and went through years of low self-esteem before arguably becoming the world's most famous motivational speaker.

Each of these men struggled to come back from tough circumstances. If you read their biographies each of them talk about how they spent more time working toward their goals, sharpening their skills, and increasing their knowledge than on focusing on their dire conditions.

The worst thing you can do when you have setbacks is to sit and dwell on them.

What I mean is if you want to make what's supposed to be a temporary delay into a permanent stumbling block then go ahead and spend all of your energy focusing on it.

What you focus on in your life expands. So concentrate on the solutions to your problems rather than the problems themselves.

For instance, maybe you didn't get the promotion you thought you deserved at work. Don't spend another minute thinking about how much you can't stand your boss.

The next thing you know you've become Adam Sandler in Click daydreaming about slapping your manager ten times.

I've been there and the only thing that happens is you make your job worse for you. You're struggling to get out of bed in the morning and your supervisor is chillin'. You're dragging your feet down the hallway and she's coming to work skipping every Monday and gleefully collecting her paycheck on Friday.

She's going about her life not even thinking about you.

Yes, I know that companies and managers can be flat out bogus. I know how it feels to be treated unfairly. But, why make life harder than it needs to be?

It doesn't matter what has held up your greatness, you have an opportunity to make a dramatic comeback.

You have a chance to rewrite your story and become a legend. Your life can be an inspiration to others if you let it.

I need you to be a motivating force for the world.

It's possible if you believe.

As Les Brown says, "It's hard. It's worth it. It's difficult. It's done."

Author's Bio: 

Derek Felton is a professional speaker who regularly presents to high school, college, and adult professional groups. His purpose is to help others reach their potential and fulfill their mission in life. Visit him at www.derekfelton.com.