Gordy Graham: Dealing with Challenges

Dealing with Challenges
by Gordon Graham

If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change! Problems and opportunities can be two sides of the same coin. These are important concepts to keep in mind when things appear to be in turmoil.

There’s no question about current reality. The country is going through some very challenging times and it’s easy to get caught up in a negative mind set. However, it’s important to remind ourselves that the way we react mentally will have an influence on the outcome.

That doesn’t suggest that we ignore our challenges, but that we focus on creative ways of moving forward. To see through the present situation to what we will look like without the problem.

A good mental exercise is called the flick back, flick up technique. Flick back mentally to a challenging time in the past and then flick up to when you had worked through it. We have all gone through many difficult situations and we are all still in the game. Looking forward with hope and a positive expectancy can brighten the day.

The way that we think has a lot to do with the way that we act. It’s important to remind ourselves that we can control how we think. We can’t control the actions and conversations around us but we can control how we react to them.

See yourself six months from today, looking back on today and thinking “That was an interesting time!”

5 Tips for Managing Challenging Times

1. Keep in mind that we have control over how we react or respond to situations.
2. Recognize that bad news sells papers so don’t get caught up in the gloom and doom scenario.
3. Step back and evaluate options that may be available and have patience with yourself and others.
4. Stress can cause damage to relationships, so be gentle with those you love – again patience.
5. See yourself through the current situation into a positive future.

Be at peace and have patience with self and others.