Adam Fraser - Strive: Embracing the gift of struggle

One of the key reasons companies fail to transform is that leaders choose to stay busy, working hard on maintaining the status quo, instead of leaning in to the struggle and uncertainty of doing the hard work to create whats next. This timely book and Dr Frasers accessible insights will help leaders revel in the struggle necessary to stay relevant in disruptive times. This book is highly practical and incredibly timely for all of us as we navigate the struggles of modern life.

Peter Sheahan
Group CEO, Karrikins Group

Too many people are chasing goals that are exactly the opposite of what will bring vitality and fulfillment. In this playful and science informed book, Adam details the problem and offers a wide range of solutions. I know that many people will improve their psychology by reading and re-reading these pages.

Dr. Todd B. Kashdan
Professor of Psychology and Director of the Well-Being Laboratory at George Mason University and author of The Upside of Your Dark Side

Adam Fraser has always had a clever way with words and stories, and he writes like he talks and presents. In Strive Adam gives us permission to feel anger, frustration, sadness and disappointment, and even to fail; and yet be fulfilled, grateful and content. Strive is a reminder to us all that stepping out of our comfort zone every day is key to our growth as human beings. Strive is a masterpiece in recognising the value of vulnerability, struggle and ultimately triumph as a person and as a leader. Keep struggling, keep striving!

Avril Henry
Author, Keynote Speaker, Leadership expert

During my military career I achieved a number of firsts for women in the Australian Defence Force. To do this I had to tolerate a great deal of struggle and discomfort. At the time I didnt enjoy any of those situations where I was stretched or pushed outside of my comfort zone because they were uncomfortable. Yet I was able to manage my emotions and shift my mindset from resistance to one that embraced the struggle and challenge as something that could ultimately increase my skill set and see me achieving things far more than I thought I was ever capable of. If we can adopt an attitude to say yes to new challenges and embrace the struggle of difficult tasks, we might be surprised by what we, and our team, can actually achieve. Dr Adam Fraser articulates this concept so well in his new book Strive which provides you tangible strategies to lead a more fulfilled and purposeful life.

Major Matina Jewell (RTD)

When Dr Adam talks, we should listen! An expert on performance, Adams new book Strive will help you navigate the struggle and discomfort that can wear even the most resilient entrepreneur down.

Emma Isaacs
Founder and Global CEO, Business Chicks

First published in 2020 by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd

42 McDougall St, Milton Qld 4064

Office also in Melbourne

John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 2020

The moral rights of the author have been asserted

ISBN: 978-0-730-33741-6

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (for example, a fair dealing for the purposes of study, research, criticism or review), no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission. All inquiries should be made to the publisher at the address above.

Cover design: Luke Lucas

Strive model illustrations: Jessamy Gee

Disclaimer

The material in this publication is of the nature of general comment only, and does not represent professional advice. It is not intended to provide specific guidance for particular circumstances and it should not be relied on as the basis for any decision to take action or not take action on any matter which it covers. Readers should obtain professional advice where appropriate, before making any such decision. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the author and publisher disclaim all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any person taking or not taking action based on the information in this publication.

Dr Adam Fraser is a heavy metal loving, car racing, daughter raising, gym junkie, geek researcher. Up until now the greatest moment in his life is being front row at an Iron Maiden concert.

But seriously his first love is his family (they were in the room while we asked him this). He has a gorgeous wife who, lucky for him, decided to lower her standards, and two daughters who have him completely wrapped around their little fingers. His #1 goal in life is to learn how to plait their hair. (Correction Goal 1a is to work out what a plait actually is.)

His second love is research. The process of proving or disproving common-held assumptions seriously rotates his crops (we agree he needs to get out more). Dr Adam looks at the business and personal development world and is concerned with how much education is based on hearsay, fallacy or is simply made up. Business and life have become more complex and sophisticated. The quality of our education needs to follow suit.

Dr Adam has a PhD in Biomedical Science and his company conducts cutting edge research with different universities all over the world, then disperses that information in a practical form through books, keynote presentations, workshops, training programs, online programs and customised consulting projects. In the last 8 years he has delivered more than 1200 presentations to over 300 000 people globally.

He likes research so much he even researched himself (we know, he is out of control). He is thought to be the only keynote presenter in the world to have the impact of their keynote measured in a university study. Drum Roll! It improved the addressed behaviour by 43 per cent.

Most of all he hopes his work and research brings you value and, more importantly, helps you to be a better version of yourself for your family, your community and the globe.

The biggest thanks goes to my wife Christine. You are not only amazing and the love of my life but also one of the wisest people I know. Thanks so much for running defence for me on the home front while I was writing this book. You took one for the team. I love you.

To my daughters Isabella and Alexis, you are the spark in my life. I love you more than I could ever begin to describe. Thanks for being my guinea pigs and letting me mess with your minds in a good way.

Thanks to my family, Mum, Dad, Sam and Doris. Your support and love mean so much to me.

To my team, Monica, Isabel and Rosemary for working so hard and making the business what it is today. Mon you have been by my side for a lot of years, I couldn't wish for a better right-hand woman, your ideas, insights and wisdom make my world so much better. Isabel thanks for all you do for the business and for the family too, you are an amazing role model for the girls.

Big thanks goes to the team from Wiley, Lucy, Ingrid, Charlotte, Chris and Bronwyn. You have all been a class act. Sorry Lucy I am sure this book gave you an ulcer. It took a while but we got there.