Challenging times are a part of life. If we’ve learned anything from this global pandemic, it’s that life’s challenges can and will happen suddenly or unexpectedly.
Even after all of this is said and done, you can expect to encounter some difficulties or negative situations (big or small) as you move forward in life.
Sometimes these hiccups are simply a blip on the radar.
Other times, you may find yourself in a vicious cycle, facing one obstacle after another.
And because you can’t avoid experiencing life’s challenges, learning how to adjust and manage your attitude can greatly affect these issues impact you.
Let's look at some strategic ways to deal with challenges that will help you tremendously.
1. Believe Hard Times Will End
It can be hard to look at the big picture when you're in the middle of a crisis.
However, if you look back over your life, you’ll see that most of the hardship(s) you’ve experienced, were temporary.
Like all the difficult times before, the one you’re facing today will end, and you'll move past it.
Keeping this point in at the forefront of your thoughts can ease your mind and help you think more clearly as you work to overcome your current obstacle.
Having an optimistic outlook about the future will better serve you in your ability to think critically and productively.
2. Assess Things Rationally
Emotions can run on high during a challenge, and these feelings are usually of the negative kind.
You may experience emotions like fear, anger, sadness and resentment as you try to manage a crisis, adapt to a “new normal,” or attempt to rebuild your life. While these feelings are perfectly normal, they're also counterproductive to finding solutions.
It's easy to get stuck in negative emotions. When this happens, you'll generally find yourself reacting blindly rather than making proactive decisions.
Related: 3 Ways To Get What You Want With Confidence
Make an effort to first identify your emotions, and then separate them from your decision-making. An example of this is to question your motive(s) for making a decision or going down a particular path.
Ask yourself…
- Why do I want to do X?
- What outcome am I expecting by doing X?
- How will I feel once I’ve done X?
Pay attention to the responses that come back and then take action when you’re sure you’ve vetted your decision from a rational place.
3. Remove Yourself from the Equation
Challenges often bring opportunity for change with them, and we all know how scary change can seem…but, change can also be transformative and exciting.
So, as you find yourself trying to override your negative emotions during tough times, you may find it helpful to remove yourself from the equation.
Meaning, instead of going inward or questioning, "why me?" take a step back and look at your life, past experiences, and current circumstances from a holistic perspective.
Related: 3 Easy Steps That Will Help You Eliminate Procrastination
You may uncover hidden strength or skills you didn’t know were there until this particular challenge or obstacle presented itself.
4. Look for the Silver Lining
It’s not my intention to belittle or detract from the seriousness of anyone's problems, especially in these trying times.
However, I am a firm believer that things don’t happen TO US, but rather FOR US. So whenever possible, I try to look for the lesson or growth opportunity in each challenge or obstacle that comes my way.
Embracing the potential for positive transformation during the tough times can help serve as the motivation you need to push through every obstacle.
These are a few strategies I've found helpful when dealing with life's challenges.
Test them out for yourself and your unique situation. You may just find that you have more control over your situation than you realized.
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