Life isn’t always peaches and roses, even though we want it to be. It’s really like an ocean, sometimes we are riding high, and other times the waves seem to keep knocking us down. We’ve all been there before… times where nothing seems to go right. In these instances it’s really easy to feel overwhelmed, lost or ready to give up. How do we push through during times of grief, failure or frustration? How do we pick ourselves back up when all we want to do is hide under the covers?
Here are some of my secrets for overcoming life’s curve balls.
- Accept your situation for what it is.
When things don’t go our way we have a tendency to struggle against our situation because we don’t like it. One of the most important things you can do is to accept whatever is happening to you. You don’t have to like your situation, but the sooner you can surrender to it and stop fighting against the reality of what happened, the sooner you will find peace. All of the energy you were spending on the mental struggle is now available to be used in a positive way to find solutions. Instead of brooding about the situation, choose to focus on all the other good around you.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
One of the hardest things to do is to ask for help. There’s something challenging about being vulnerable enough to admit that you don’t have it all together. Perhaps we worry that others will judge us. It actually takes a tremendous amount of strength and courage to ask for assistance when we need it. Whether you need help with a work situation, some advice for a personal situation, some physical assistance or emotional support, getting a helping hand can quickly lift your spirits.
- Gratitude for what you have.
One of the fastest ways to turn your mood and luck around is to focus on all the positive things going on in your life. Even during the most challenging times, we still have so many wonderful things to be grateful for. Giving thanks for the roof over your head, the warm bed you sleep in, the clean hot water in your shower, the food in your fridge, etc. really puts things into perspective.
- Find the opportunity within the challenge.
A wise person once told me that an opportunity lies within every challenge. When something isn’t going the way you want it to, ask yourself what lessons you can take out of the situation. How can you become better for having experienced it? Sometimes our darkest moments actually lead us toward our greatest successes.
- Imagine your perfect outcome.
When things aren’t going your way it’s far too easy to let it bring you down. Rather than feeling sorry for yourself, spend some time imagining what your perfect outcome is. Ask yourself what it is that you really want. What would make you happy? What would make you feel better? If you can envision it in your minds’ eye, you can create it in your own life. Instead of expecting the worst, start expecting the best!
- Make a commitment to be the best you can be.
If you really want to turn a bad situation around, you need to make a commitment to do your very best. Don’t use your bad luck as an excuse to stay in a bad mood or less-than-ideal situation. Use the challenge as a fire to motivate you to find better solutions. Promise yourself that you will do whatever you can to get what you want. Make yourself be better. The results will follow.
