A true motivational “hero,” the late Norman Vincent Peale once said, “there is only one group of people that don’t have problems…and they are all dead. Problems, or challenges are a sign of life. So, the more problems you have the more alive you are.” An addition that might be made to Norman’s quote might be, “if you don’t have any challenges today maybe you are on the way out of here and you don’t know it yet.”
You might take this as a tong-in-cheek philosophy of life, however it is closer to the truth than you might think. One thing we have all learned is that everyone has challenges. Some of us have relationship problems, others have financial ones, some face career challenges, others struggle with health issues, some have social issues, while others face difficult business challenges. No one is immune to adversity in life, right?
The key to success, happiness, peace, and life balance is to accept the issues, negatives, situations, challenges, struggles (whatever you want to call them) as a part of the life process of becoming, learning, and growing. Failures, whiners, or victims see problems as life “picking on them.” Winners in life (or victors), on the other hand, regardless of their position, status, age, or circumstances see challenges and adversity as a catalyst for becoming better, stronger, wiser, and more aware of the reality of their life.
Challenges are not positive or negative they just “are.” They are simple happenings. It isn’t what is happening in your life that matters it is how you choose to see it, and what you do with it. Whether they are perceived as negative or positive is entirely up to you and your life outlook.
Learn to see the negatives as loving teachers in your life bringing you the opportunity to get a clearer vision of where you may need attitude adjustments, improved thinking, or better skills.
Why not make a list of all of your challenges and, one-by-one ask yourself a few questions, such as:
–is there anything I can do about this – now or later?
–is it going to last forever?
–what would my hero, coach or someone I respect do about this?
–is this a recurring situation in my life?
–why?
These should get you started. Now, add some of your own.
Have a great week!
