Tag Archives: Problem Solving

Grow From Your Challenges

Challenge overcomeEverybody has problems of one kind or another. First, we need to define the issue because a problem only exists if you believe it is a problem. I prefer the more accurate evaluation of these situations, calling it a challenge. That is a word that more aptly describes the situations we experience.   The very definition of a problem is negative, “a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome.” Whereas the definition of a challenge is best defined as “a task or situation that tests someone’s abilities.”  Let’s face it, these situations arise in life all the time, and whether you welcome them or not, they give you a chance to test your abilities and improve. It is a matter of perspective, but it isn’t everything. Stuff is going to happen in life. It is your choice if you grow from it or get through it. I am choosing to rise from the challenges I face—five steps for handling any challenge you face today.

What is Great about This Challenge?

You tend to look at what you don’t want with a problem. Facing a challenge, there is an opportunity to look at a situation more positively. Asking yourself what is great about a situation will inevitably lead you to challenge overcomeanswer. Challenges allow us to grow and learn. So when you are faced with a situation, rather than look at it as an unwanted visitor, treat it as a welcomed guest. Some challenges are covered in sadness, and some are depressing, but there can be positive results. Even in a sad situation of loss, there is something that can allow you to grow as a person. It is up to you to find it. It is a matter of perspective. The situation is what it is. You can learn from it or run from it. Listing significant or positive about a challenge gives you a positive focus and an ability to achieve.

What is not perfect yet?

When evaluating a challenge, it is essential to know how you would like to see it resolved. Some situations can’t be changed, but given the challenges’ realities, decide what is not perfect. By answering this question, you can develop a plan of action to start to bring those things that are not perfect in your perspective into reality. Since nothing is perfect, there is always work to be done.

What Am I Willing To Do To Make This Challenge something I want?

There are going to be actions that we can take every day to face challenges in life. What you are willing to do is a statement of the priority a challenge holds for you. If you have a high level of motivation to resolve a problem, it shows your dedication to learning and being your best self. We all must be willing to understand that we are always a work in progress. Every person can get better, think better, live better, and be a better person. You can dictate exactly what you hope to get from any challenge you face. Since growth results from facing challenges, be willing to step into your growth.

What am I No Longer Willing To Do To Make This Challenge something I want?

As priorities are developed, we notice that we are no longer willing to do to make a challenge what you want. There is only one direction you can move in life, and some challenges will not give you anything of value. Some you can’t choose to experience, but other challenges you can leave and walk away from. Your actions and willingness to behave will show you which of your challenges.

How Can I Enjoy the Process While I Do What is necessary to make the Experience What I want?

All experiences can bring joy or suffering; our perspective on them is a choice. Asking yourself what you can do to enjoy an experience will challengesautomatically get those answers into your head. These positive thoughts will lead to more positive reviews. Then you have to choose to take action and enjoy what you are doing. Challenges will come, and we will have to face them one way or another.

Following this process of challenging questions will give you a different perspective on the things we face in life. Since we will live life and continually face one challenge, it makes sense to develop a system that will allow you to enjoy the ride as much as possible. Or you can choose to be miserable.   Answering these questions honestly to yourself could be the path to getting the most out of the challenges you face. The choice is always up to you.

“If you expect life to be easy, challenges will seem difficult. If you accept that challenges may occur, life will be easier.”-Rob Liano.

“Some people will just go with the flow of things and sway in life, while others will fight against the currents and go upstream to reach their destiny.”-Anthony Liccione.

“Others can stop you temporarily — you are the only one who can do it permanently. “- Zig Ziglar.

 

Three Step Challenge Management

Daily Positive Thought Project- 3 steps to handle any problem

All of us face situations every day. We also have the capacity to handle them and here are three simple steps that each of us can use to assist us in dealing with the problems we face in life.

First we have to clearly identify the problem or obstacle we are facing.  it is pretty common to build a simple problem up into something that it isn’t. To let our imaginations run wild and soon we have built our problem into an insurmountable thing.  Be objective and write down the factors involved in the problem.   When you look at things as they really are, not what you think, or somebody else thinks they might be, we can handle them much easier.

Second, we have to determine what the right action is for us. An action is always the cure for fear. When you are doubting yourself or seeing something in front of you that maybe is intimidating you.  Determine the action you can take.  If you lost your job, evaluate where you can most easily make money now. If a relationship has ended, decide what if anything you can do or to just move on.  Whatever the obstacle, look for the action that will allow you to get around, through or over the problem.

The third is to endure the solution that results from the actions you took. It isn’t always easy, but if you learn to accept the results of the way things are, then you have the ability to learn from what has happened, become a wiser human and apply those lessons to your life in the future.

There you have it a simple plan to try to navigate the stream of life a little bit easier. Or at least in one piece. Some lessons in life hurt, some are not that bad, but all have just about as much value as you choose to give them.

No News. Is Good News!

stop watching the news
Give it a shot, stop watching. What do you have to lose but fear?

I am tremendously grateful for a conscious decision I made  about four years ago to stop watching the national news and leaving the fear mongering and celebrity worship behind.

I don’t seem to be missing out on anything positive and am just as informed as I always have been, but the real benefit is the fact that I have not been subject to the consistent stream of negativity that comes from any of the national news outlets.  I think  this enables me to be happier on a daily basis.

Haven’t Missed a Thing

My initial reluctance to giving up my news addiction was that I would no longer be properly informed about current events.  Yet, using this week as an example, I am media_monkeysadequately informed about all of Donald Trump’s foolishness and how he and Hillary Clinton fared in their latest debate.   What I don’t have to deal with is the feeling the national media tries to build in you, that the world is going to end because of it. So be very, very afraid.

I have a hint for all of you, we will all still be here tomorrow and then the story will be something else and life will continue on.  It is not that I am apathetic to the plight of our nation and the fact that our politicians are really just highly paid corporate sell outs. It is a fact that as a conscious human being living on the planet, I recognize manipulation and brainwashing when I see it.

I don’t need the national media to fan those flames of fear.  Most often the fears they use are designed to get you to watch more and for the media to make more money from advertising.  With today’s lightning-quick social media, you learn of news without moving an inch, simply by looking at your phone you see today’s events and happenings as they are unfolding. There is no need for a media narrative to tell you how to think.

I am grateful that I can leave it there.  I am sad for those who experience loss, I am sympathetic to those who suffer, but I do not let it consume my life because then I would never be able to contribute to a cure.

Being an Individual Is Hard Today

By not watching the national media and blindly absorbing the version of that story they feed me, I have found that I am much more clearly able to form my own opinion about events.

By looking at how I actually feel about something, I can more readily create ideas that are uniquely mine.  If we blindly follow the thoughts and presentations of others, we are doomed to have no unique and creative thought toward problem-solving.  Being an individual today is difficult because if you don’t think exactly like someone else, then you are going to be ridiculed. This is the first step in forced conformity, to discourage individual thought and force people to accept the “right” opinion about things. Isn’t our education system based on this practice? Learn how I tell you and don’t think for yourself.

Nothing to Fear But Fear Itself

Don't fear the media
The media works hard to keep you afraid. The choice is yours

The national media makes people feel like there is something wrong with them if they don’t feel like they say you should.  Shouldn’t you be afraid of terrorism? Shouldn’t we dislike those who are different from us?  Shouldn’t we fear everyone we don’t know?  The questions go on and on, but the reason is simple.  If you are afraid you are easily controlled and if you are free thinking and problem-solving, there is no telling what you might do. You might even find a better alternative than listening to the Today Show.

Most people in the world are good, honest people who are kind to others, polite and helpful.  People do amazing things each and every day to help other people live a better life.  These actions aren’t often covered in the media because even though they are nice, they don’t grab attention.  Fear grabs attention and it doesn’t let go.  But once you leave that fear behind, you can enjoy life a little bit more.

You May Be the Answer

So today I am grateful for the conscious decision I made about five years ago to stop watching the news and to form my own opinions about the world. I encourage you to find your own path as well.  Who knows the answer to many social problems facing the world today could be solved by you.  It is up to you to decide to be your own person and think for yourself.