challenges Archives - Daryl Watson

Come What May

June 24, 2025

Last night Monic and I went to the cinema and really enjoyed watching the new “How to Train Your Dragon” movie.

A simple phrase uttered by the main character, Hiccup, landed with me.

“𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑴𝒂𝒚…”

Facing a challenge much bigger than himself, he didn’t run or retreat.

He stood tall, uncertain but unwavering, and chose to press ahead at a moment of great difficulty.

He didn’t have all the answers, but he had great conviction.

And the path wasn’t an easy one, but it was the right one.

That moment and the phrase is still with me this morning.

It reminded me that we all face dragons, challenges that test our resolve, our faith, our identity.

But “come what may” is more than a line in a movie, it’s a quiet anthem of trust in something greater.

In my personal study this morning I decided to reread a talk from some years ago by Joseph B. Wirthlin “Come What may and love it” – a phrase attributed to his mother.

He said, “If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be the times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead to times of greatest happiness.”

Life has taught me that there is opposition in all things.

I’m sure it has for you too.

And still, we carry on.

Not because the path is easy.

Not because we know what’s coming next.

But because something within us, or someone beside us (in the movie – Astrid), helps us to take the next step.

Come what may, we learn.

Come what may, we grow.

Come what may, we love it.

What “dragons” are you facing – and what quiet strength is helping you stand firm?

The Depth of Feeling

March 14, 2025

Life is full of transitions.

Some are joyous, others heart-wrenching.

Returning home from Belgium and the Netherlands nearly 9 months ago now, frequently, I’ve reflected on the deep emotions that often accompany such changes.

Many missionaries experience this upon returning home, facing an unexpected void where purpose once thrived.

Having coached and counselled literally hundreds of these missionaries, and many others professionally too, through difficult challenges and change, I have seen firsthand the power of deep, genuine emotion.

The depth of those feelings intensifies further in moments of crisis, an injury to a loved one, the loss of someone dear, or personal struggles that weigh deeply upon our soul.

I have seen that these emotions are often raw and very real, born from love and deep within our hearts.

They remind us of our humanity, our connection to others, and our need for belonging.

In these moments, listening with empathy and understanding truly helps.

As a coach, I find that empathy creates a safe space for growth, allowing others to feel truly heard, understood, and supported as they navigate change and discover their own path forward.

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor E. Frankl

It has been my experience, that we may not always be able to control our circumstances, but we can choose how we respond.

In my own struggles with transition, I’ve found that reaching out to serve others brings clarity, grounding, and renewed purpose.

For me, love in action helps transform difficulties and sorrows into purpose and meaning.

In times of deep emotion, how do you find your way forward?

The Power of Opposition

March 4, 2025

“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors” – African Proverb

I have learned that winter is just as necessary as summer.

Work is as good for us as rest.

Uphill is just as important as downhill.

Life includes some sunshine and rain, success and failure, as well as good and evil.

There is a natural law of opposites at play in all of our lives.

Life has taught me that there is “an opposition in all things” – 2 Nephi 2:11

The struggles, adversity, difficulties that we encounter are oftentimes the most powerful teachers we face in life.

I am certain too that discouragement will be a visitor for all of us at some point in life.

Misery can set in, and for some we can get stuck in the mud pretty quickly.

Difficulties can keep us alert and on our toes.

They teach us to fight and prevent us from being over-confident.

Indeed, sometimes we are compelled to be humble.

We can only truly recognise joy because we have also encountered sorrow.

There is growth in opposition

Many times, I’ve learned the hard way, that in every negative, there is always a positive!

“There is no growth without challenge, no triumph without struggle, and no joy without sorrow.” – unknown.

And so, rather than resisting opposition, we can choose to embrace it as a necessary part of our growth.

Setbacks too, can prepare us for something greater.

The hard times can refine us, and the struggles can strengthen us.

Each challenge we face is not a roadblock, but a stepping stone, an opportunity to become wiser, stronger, and more compassionate.

So, when the storms come (and they will), stand firm.

When the road gets steep, take another step.

When darkness falls, remember that morning always comes.

With faith, perseverance, and an open heart, we will not only endure but thrive.

The law of opposition is not meant to break us, it is meant to build us.

And through it all, we learn the greatest truth of all: joy is worth the journey.

How has opposition in your life shaped you into the person you are today?

Stretching, Growing and Learning

August 20, 2024

Over many years, I have had the opportunity and privilege to work in many leadership roles.

Lessons in leadership come in many ways.

I’ve certainly been stretched on many occasions as I struggled to get my head around the particular challenge of the day.

I’ve grown too in knowledge and understanding about how to handle many difficult situations.

And, I have learned so much about people, behaviours and what it means to be a good leader by putting the interests and needs of others first.

Oftentimes, I have benefited too from the guidance of other leaders who have inspired me.

Reflecting upon the last three years in Belgium and the Netherlands, working with 300+ young 18 – 26-year-old future potential leaders, I learned many lessons.

Stretching…

Time and time again, stretching opportunities came along for each of them to learn new skills.

Daily, growth opportunities arose for all of them to take on new challenges.

And regularly they all had opportunities to receive constructive feedback through 1-1 and team coaching/mentoring sessions.

Together we celebrated our successes.

When times were tough, when failures happened, we’d counsel with one another and figure out how to improve.

We learned a lot about slowing down.

Partnering with them, empowering them and trusting them to deliver their best work was key.

In any new growth situation, where we are learning and growing, our focus on what matters most is paramount.

Stretching happened every day.

And like many physical exercises, it is easy to grow tired!

No pain, no gain!

Small steps and little victories are key to forward progress.

Leadership guru, John Maxwell whilst speaking about the Law of the Rubber Band said; “Growth stops when you lose the tension between where you are and where you could be. There are many uses for a rubber band, but it’s of no use or value until it’s stretched.”

Just like a rubber band, you will never reach your full potential unless you are stretched!

Frequently, I was asked “How do I become a better leader?”

To start, take yourself out of your comfort zone and be prepared to be stretched.

Embrace the tension and put the resistance to work!

What kind of things are stretching you at the moment?

Learning takes practice.

June 27, 2022

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤?

Growing up in Scotland in the 1970’s was a fun place to be.

I was oblivious to many of the challenges of the era, but I do recall one occasion at Primary school when I was around 9 years old, that I’ve never forgotten.

An announcement was made in class that a recorder group would be starting in school and that anyone interested to learn how to play should come along to the next practice.

I had grown up listening to my dad playing regularly on his chromatic mouth organ and like him I wanted to do something musical – he always seemed to be having so much fun!

The day came and along I went.

I was given a small descant recorder and duly started practicing in the weeks that followed.

Through lots of lessons, my playing began to improve, and I learned to read music too.

Lessons Learned

I began to understand that

Growth and development take time.

Learning takes practice.

As time passed by, one day I recall being picked upon and bullied by several boys.

“You’re just a big namby pamby, a big sissy” they’d say to me, along with a few other belittling terms.

Why?

I was the only boy, playing the recorder amongst a group of around 15 girls.

Despite the regular taunts, insulting and smart-alecky remarks, I continued playing the recorder throughout my school years and developed a resilient spirit to the comments.

Playing simple melodies, always brought joy to my youthful heart. And it still does!

In later years, in a little tender mercy, I discovered that like me, Monic too played the recorder.

Sometimes in life we have to persevere when opposition comes our way.

Oftentimes, its listening to the feelings of our heart, that can overcome the challenge of the day.

What challenge might you face today?

What does your heart think?

Agile Thinking!

October 6, 2021

“It’s okay” I said, “I’ll pop down to the car for it….”

Let me explain.

Recently whilst staying overnight in a hotel in Belgium, annoyingly, one of the elasticated ear straps broke free from my face mask. Walking to dinner later proved a little bothersome, with one strap fixed behind my right ear and the other side of my mask being propped into position with my left hand for a good wee while…

After dinner, it was time to resolve the matter!

We were sure that we had another face mask in the car. At that point I suggested that I’d go back to the car and look for it. Monic proceeded to give me some idea where it may be.

Then we hit another problem.

We had only been given one hotel entry card for the room and it was inserted into the light system to keep the power on. Removing the card would mean Monic would be in the dark for a few minutes whilst I walked back to the car to hunt for another face mask.

“Hmm, now what I thought?”

Hunting for a solution, I had a flash of inspiration…. “Aha” I thought, and duly inserted my name tag into the switch.

The lights remained on!

These first 3 months in the mission field have been filled with such moments – regularly!

This little experience, captures in a nutshell our initial period of service.

– A little challenge arises

– We consider solutions

– Something else usually happens to make things even more irksome and challenging

– Then somehow, from somewhere – we adapt, flex our thinking and with cheetah like agility we are able to move forward as the issue unravels itself with a little gentle coaxing.

Daily, each of us may face little challenges, irritations, problems that given time, can become even more difficult to resolve.

What do you need to do to adopt a more agile way of thinking?

Be Prepared

February 23, 2021

“Remind me again, what did he wear on the old scooter?” I asked mum, as we laughed together.

So, it was last night as we reminisced about dad’s scooter. Growing up in Dunfermline in the late 1960’s I recall my dad in his train driver uniform leaving for work. By the end of the 60’s all of the steam trains were replaced with diesel engines. As the engines changed, dad also had to switch depots and ended up having to travel to Alloa for every shift, a round trip of 35 miles or so. Dad never passed his driving test until the early 80’s, so every journey was made on his little scooter.

In the wintertime, the ride was not only treacherous on the old country roads of the time, but it was also a very cold one. Before he set off for a night shift, on the chilliest of evenings, I recall dad padding and lining his jacket, sleeves, and trouser legs with old newspapers to lessen the biting winter cold and the piercing winds. A simple old-fashioned way to stay warm, and his preparation was key.

A few years later as a young boy scout, I remember learning the motto of “be prepared”, which has remained as a constant with me throughout my life in all that I do.

Our world of 2021 is filled with uncertainty and I am sure for all of us, many more chilly and difficult nights are still ahead as we journey through the challenges life will bring.

So, are you ready for the next challenge and what can you do right now to be better prepared?

Feeling overwhelmed?

October 27, 2020

Stressed, anxious, worried, tense, overwhelmed, working harder than ever – sound familiar?

One of my favourite stories is told by Stephen Covey in “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”. It’s based on a story by Arthur Gordon entitled “The Turn of the Tide”.

Arthur recalls a time when he was experiencing deep frustration at work and many challenges in life.

Finally, he went to see a Doctor who told him to spend the following day in the place where he’d been happiest as a child. Then, he gave Arthur four prescriptions in sealed envelopes, to be opened at 9, 12, 3 and 6 o’clock the next day.

As day dawned, off he went to his favourite beach.

At 9 – “𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲” – he heard the birds and sound of the sea.

By 12 – “𝐓𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤” – happy memories came flooding back.

Then at 3 – “𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬” – he discovers he was focused too much on himself.

Finally at 6 – “𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝” – he did, knowing that the waves would soon wash them away.

This prescription works for everyone..

Make those internal adjustments now.

Why not apply this remedy for yourself today?

𝐖𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬.

Optimism

August 28, 2020

Life constantly sends us challenges to test our positivity, and to be able to look towards the future with optimism, in spite of such difficulties isn’t always easy.

Recently I was reminded of the story of the two buckets that went down the well; as the one came up it said, “This is surely a cold and dreary world. No matter how many times I come up full, I always go down empty.” Then the other bucket laughed and said, “With me it is different. No matter how many times I go down empty, I always come up full.”

Much of life is dependent upon your attitude and how you respond to situations. Our attitude makes all the difference.

“Remember, a good attitude produces good results, a fair attitude fair results, a poor attitude poor results. We each shape our own life, and the shape of it is determined largely by our attitude.”

M. Russell Ballard

In the ups and downs of life – what attitude will you choose today?

Rule #6

June 25, 2020

How is your week going?
A little challenging perhaps?
Some problems to attend to?

Have you considered Rule Number 6?

The following story is from Benjamin and Rosamund Zander’s book “The Art of Possibility”

“Two prime ministers are sitting in a room, discussing affairs of state.

Suddenly a man bursts in, apoplectic with fury, shouting and stamping and banging his fist on the desk. The resident prime minister admonishes him: “Peter,” he says, “kindly remember Rule Number 6,” whereupon Peter is instantly restored to complete calm, apologizes, and withdraws.

The politicians return to their conversation, only to be interrupted yet again twenty minutes later by an hysterical woman gesticulating wildly, her hair flying. Again the intruder is greeted with the words: “Marie, please remember Rule Number 6.” Complete calm descends once more, and she too withdraws with a bow and an apology.

When the scene is repeated for a third time, the visiting prime minister addresses his colleague: “My dear friend, I’ve seen many things in my life, but never anything as remarkable as this. Would you be willing to share with me the secret of Rule Number 6?” “Very simple,” replies the resident prime minister.

“Rule Number 6 is ’Don’t take yourself so @%$~* seriously.’”

“Ah, says his visitor, “that is a fine rule.” After a moment of pondering, he inquires, “And what, may I ask, are the other rules?”

“𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘆.””

How can you use Rule Number 6?

Perhaps it is time that we all shift the way we think and lighten up a little – start today – smile a little more along the way!

When times get tough – try using Rule Number 6!

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