Sometimes, when we least expect it, life throws as a challenge. It may not seem like it, but challenges are a gift of life. They are there for a reason—to help us learn and grow. So as Victoria Arlen says of challenges: “We have to face them, embrace them, defy them, and conquer them.”
Here are some things we can do when life throws as a challenge:
1. Plan ahead.
Planning life ahead can help you be more prepared when challenges come your way. Though we may not exactly predict what will happen in the future, planning ahead will give us the confidence to face the challenges it brings. As Benjamin Franklin says, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
2. Open up to other people and ask for help.
Whatever challenges we are facing, know that there are other people who have been through it too. You’re not alone in your struggle. If you look around you, you will find people who are ready to help you. If you open up and share your problems with other people who are going through the same thing, you can exchange ideas regarding how to handle it the right away. Also, these people will be in your corner, cheering and supporting you as you overcome your struggles.
3. Accept help.
Asking for help is one thing; accepting it is another. You have to be open and willing to accept support from others. This may be a difficult for some us, as accepting help may indicate we are weak or we have somehow failed. Before you start resisting help, know that people who wants to help you truly care about you, so be open them and accept help when they offer it.
3. Acknowledge and share your feelings.
“Talk it out” when you have problems is an age-old advice that seems to work. Masking our feelings won’t make them go away. In fact, there are negative health consequences when we don’t feel our feelings. So take the time to feel what you feel. Then share them to a trusted friend or community. Doing this will help you see your situation in a new perspective, and this could lead you to come up with solutions to overcome your problems.
4. Think positively.
Positive thinking won’t make all our problems go away. It is not magic, but cultivating it is important when you are trying to overcome challenges. Why? Thinking positively will make our problems more manageable, and it will help us approach them in a more productive way. Remember that what you think becomes your reality, so always maintain a positive mindset.
5. Be persistent.
Our problems are often the ones that motivate us to grow and make positive changes in our life. So stand fast and stay on the course. You will not overcome the challenge or learn from it if you give up. It is through persistence that you will learn things you cannot learn in any other way.
Les Brown once said, “Our ability to handle life’s challenges is a measure of our strength of character.” So conquer the challenges of life with patience, persistence, and a positive attitude and discover who you truly are.
