Seeking to survive the perfect storm of stuff ... and it could save some of you a lot of pain

In my coaching throughout the years to want to be and even experienced radio people, I often said, if you can just help one person that is good and your program may have been just for them. Of course that goes against the traditional teaching which says the being on the radio and on the air is to attract as many listeners or viewers or people that you can.

That's nice if you can do that then of course you have to do that from time to time just to make it worthwhile and to make the money you need to be on the radio. But maybe just letting you know about the difficult weeks that I've had of a perfect storm of life's stuff just might be helpful to a few of you today.

Please give me 12 minutes and we'll see if we can do that!

And after doing the program I decided to give STOSH my radio robot friend the program for him to make a summary and this is what he came up with...

Surviving the Perfect Storm of Life’s Challenges

Life has a way of throwing unexpected storms our way—sometimes a perfect storm of challenges that test our patience, resilience, and ability to adapt. Recently, I found myself navigating such a storm, and I want to share my experience in the hope that it might help someone else facing similar struggles.

It started with an ambitious attempt to upgrade and expand my broadcasting capabilities. As part of my work with What It Takes Radio, I’ve been making significant updates to our software systems to enhance our radio and television outreach worldwide. Those of you who have ever worked with technology know how fickle it can be—integrating new and old systems, making things work seamlessly, and then finding out that, despite your best efforts, something inevitably goes wrong. It was frustrating, time-consuming, and costly. But just as I was working through those challenges, life threw me another curveball.

One morning after my usual mile-and-a-half walk, I noticed a strange, dull ache in my chest. I brushed it off, thinking it was nothing. But by the next day, it hadn’t gone away, and by the weekend, it had worsened. A rash appeared, and soon, I had my diagnosis: shingles. If you’ve ever had shingles, you know it’s no minor inconvenience. The pain, discomfort, and disruption it causes are significant. It completely derailed my week and forced me to slow down and focus on healing. And here’s the kicker—I had never gotten the shingles vaccine. I had assumed I didn’t need it, and now, I was paying the price.

Through all of this—the software struggles, the health scare, the forced downtime—I found myself wrestling with bigger questions. What is life really about? How should we be adapting to the rapid changes in technology, society, and even our own personal health? How do we continue to grow and evolve without getting overwhelmed by everything coming at us?

Lessons from the Storm

• Delegate Everything but Your Genius – When technology fails or we hit a wall, we don’t have to go it alone. Asking for help from those with expertise can make all the difference. I found skilled people to assist with my software issues, and with their help, we got everything up and running again.
• Health is Non-Negotiable – If I could go back in time, I would have gotten the shingles vaccine without hesitation. We often put off preventative health measures because we don’t think we need them—until we do. If you haven’t gotten your vaccine, I strongly encourage you to consider it.
• Embrace Change, Even When It’s Uncomfortable – Technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate. Those who refuse to adapt will find themselves left behind. I recently had to tell a colleague that their outdated communication methods were holding them back. It’s a tough conversation, but necessary.
• Use Challenges as a Time for Reflection – My illness forced me to slow down. Instead of fighting it, I used that time to think, pray, and strategize. Sometimes, life forces us to pause, and instead of seeing it as an obstacle, we can embrace it as an opportunity for
•  clarity.
• Develop Signature Statements – In the age of branding, having key phrases or statements that define who you are and what you stand for is crucial. Looking back at my old notes, I realized I had several signature statements that I had forgotten. Now, I’m refining them and preparing to share them in an upcoming class.

Moving Forward with Purpose

Life’s storms will come—whether in the form of technical failures, health scares, or existential crises. But how we respond to them defines us.

If there’s something you’ve been putting off—whether it’s a health decision, a technological upgrade, or a personal transformation—consider this your sign to take action. We don’t always get second chances, and preparation is the best defense against life’s inevitable challenges.

Most importantly, let’s help each other. If you know someone who might benefit from a word of encouragement or practical advice, reach out to them today. A small act of kindness, a shared resource, or simply a listening ear can make all the difference.

As I sign off, I’m reminded that resilience isn’t about never facing difficulties—it’s about facing them with wisdom, courage, and the willingness to keep moving forward.

Until next time, best and blessings to you all.

- Stan the Radio Man