Bigger Than Your Challenges
by Daryl Daughtry, Publisher
– Listen to the article here.
You are bigger than your challenges. What do I mean by that?
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by challenges, like they are much bigger than you are? This is really just an illusion and it has the power to stall any efforts you make to better yourself.
Yes, challenges can be overwhelming. However, your perception of them is the thing that determines who wins the battle. The belief that your challenges are insurmountable is what ends up making you feel powerless against them.
Here’s a little secret… every problem has a solution. It may not always seem so, but if you think about it you’ll realize it’s true. You may not know what the solution is right away, it may not be painless, and it may not be a quick-fix, but it does exist.
If you choose to see your problems as being huge and beyond your control, then by comparison you will see yourself much smaller than they are. If you see your problems as devastating and unfair, then you’ll probably allow them to defeat you. But, if you see them as temporary setbacks waiting for creative solutions, then you’ll focus on finding those solutions rather than ranting on and on about the problem.
Problems, setbacks, roadblocks, troubles, difficulties, challenges, obstacles – whatever you want to call them – happen all the time and to everybody. You’re not being singled out or unfairly picked on. It’s a normal part of life, like it or not. If you treat them as a normal part of life, you will probably accept that being solution-minded is also normal.
Henry Ford, the inventor of the automobile, once said, and I am paraphrasing… If you think you can do something – you’re right. And, if you think you can’t do something – you’re also right. What did he mean by that?
He meant that people do what they do because they believe and think a certain way. In other words, if you expect to succeed at something, you’re going to think positive thoughts, feel positive emotions, and take positive actions towards your solution. On the other hand, if you don’t expect to succeed at something, you will probably think pessimistic thoughts, feel droopy emotions, and take half-hearted steps that will absolutely guarantee your failure.
If you think your problems are horrifying, they will be. If you think they are solvable, you’ll solve them.
I want to share something with you that I believe with all my heart…
How you respond to adversity will determine the direction of your life. Let me say that again… How you respond to adversity will determine the direction of your life on the other side of that adversity.
There are going to be many problems in your life that are totally your fault due to your bad choices. There are also going to be many problems in your life that are simply out of your control. Either way, it’s up to you as to how you will respond to them. Will you accept the challenge and pursue a solution or will you get really upset and and use them as an excuse to make yet another poor decision that will negatively affect your life?
So what am I saying? I’m saying that challenges are inevitable, but drama, self-pity, panic, and complaining are totally optional. It’s your choice. It’s up to you to be either solution-minded or play the poor, helpless victim.
Listen, life isn’t fair and it isn’t easy. So, don’t expect it to be and you won’t be shocked when the challenges come along.
The bottom line is this… If you think your problems are devastating, they will be. If you think they are solvable, then guess what will happen?
