How do you deal with "changes" or "challenges" or things that don't go as planned?
Your computer crashed... website got hacked... someone else screwed up... you screwed up... relationship issues... family challenges... financial problems... an unhappy client... balls got dropped somewhere...
Do you get...
...frustrated?
...annoyed?
...depressed?
...overwhelmed?
Sometimes things happen that we can't go back and change. You can choose to be discouraged and allow it to take your focus off who you are, what your goals are, and what you're here to make happen. Or you can choose to just roll with it.
If you can't change it... forget what went wrong or didn't work out and focus on what your next step is to fix it or move beyond it. Anything is fixable if you're open to more than one option for "fixing" it. You choose your next move.
I promise, life will be much less stressful if you just go with it and trust that whatever comes your way, you can handle. You're strong enough. You're smart enough. And it won't stop you if you don't allow it to.
Twitter: kebbabutton
says:
Michelle, all so true! And so important! In my stress management practice, I teach that people should grab a positive thought/experience and hang onto it, which will background the negative thought/experience. Stressportunities abound, but so do marvelous blessings!
Kebba Buckley Button recently posted… UpBeat Living: 5 Keys for Websites That Sell, a ReBlog from Colleen Wietmarschen
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Love that, Kebba — marvelous blessings DO abound!
Twitter: suzyq1810
says:
Nice post. My favourite mantra is "Go with the flow, be Zen and let it go". Visiting from UBC.
Suzy recently posted… UBC Day 20 – Five Question Friday
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Nice mantra, Suzy. :)
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… You Can’t Change it, So Roll With it…
Twitter: laurapclark
says:
Michelle ~ we must have been on the same page when we were writing posts today. Mine: http://www.soul-wiseliving.com/2013/01/20/move-forward-when-things-chang/ was about the 7 things you need to do to embrace when a project doesn't go quite right. I moved my yesterday and despite planning much went awry. #1 on my list was "accept it as is" Just like you say here….and releasing judgment and asking for support were among my saving sanity!!!
What do they say about Great minds thinking alike? Thanks so much for hosting the UBC ~ it rocks!
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Hey Laura, always kinda cool when that happens, isn't it? :)
And AWESOME – glad you're enjoying UBC!
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… Two Simple Ways to Stop Spam on Your Blog
Twitter: alyssaavant
says:
Very true this used to trip me up so bad when I worked at home full time it felt like it was ALWAYS something.
Alyssa recently posted… What You Need to Create a Website
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
There are definitely those days where it seems like one thing after another wants to get in the way. Just more opportunities to prove to ourselves what our priorities are, and make things work. :)
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… 3 Surefire Ways to Get More Comments on Your Blog Posts
Twitter: theeleanorprior
says:
Good advice, sounds like something I tell my kids when I want them to move forward. "Get Over YourSelf" lol. But in all seriousness very good advice.
Eleanor recently posted… The Call No Mother Should Get
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Sometimes that's the key. ;)
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… How Often Should You Post New Content to Your Blog?
Things always change, so I don't worry about the changes, if it happens, the only thing I can do is to accept it. Thanks for sharing.
mary recently posted… Farmer100 runescape power leveling
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
I agree, Mary. Resistance doesn't generally change events that have already happened. Best to accept it and move forward.
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… 3 Surefire Ways to Get More Comments on Your Blog Posts
Twitter: lahara
says:
Great advice! I had a bit of a hiccup on Friday, and felt like pulling a big blanket over my head and quitting, completely. But 2 days later I'm seeing things a little more clearly, and have an action plan to move on.
Loralee Hutton recently posted… Two Easy Questions to Jump-Start Your Online Marketing
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Some days I'd say, let me join you, Loralee, and I'll bring the ice cream! :) But getting that next step figured out helps me move forward faster. I'm learning to move to that more quickly.
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… Are You Missing This Essential Ingredient to Success?
I work with people under supervision in the criminal justice system and I often tell them that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what YOU make out of what happens to you.
Furthermore, a good portion of that 90% should be focused on a plan to avoid the negatives, and crises so that you can be a change for the good in your own life and the lives of those you care for.
Never give up!
Scott Sandmeyer recently posted… Glory to the One to Come
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
So, so true, Scott. That's wise advice. We get to make our own decisions and choose how to respond to everything. Smart choices make all the difference.
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… The Key to Building Trust With Your Readers
Twitter: cindyschulson
says:
Scott – those are very powerful words. Thanks for sharing this Michelle. It can be so easy to get caught up in the moment and feel like it's the end of the world. I see my kids do it all the time. I like to ask them (and myself) at times like this – will this matter in a year or even a week? It helps put things in perspective.
Cindy Schulson recently posted… What You Really Need to Get New Clients
Twitter: MichelleShaeffr
says:
Awesome question for getting perspective, Cindy!
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted… One Simple Way to Get More Readers Sharing Your Blog Posts
Sometimes things happen that we can't go back and change. So we need to just move on and take measures to improve the present.
When unexpected things happen, getting frantic never helps. There is always some positive response we can make. This doesn't mean that the problem goes away and everything will become smooth sailing again. Our choice will determine whether we make things worse or better. Whether the "unexpected thing" is a natural disaster, a computer crash, or misplacing an important piece of paper containing a reading that was intended for use in a worship service NOW, we can choose to move forward in a positive way.
As Scott said, "life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what YOU make out of what happens to you." If we live as if those figures are reversed, we will always feel helpless. Let's make the best use we can out of the 90% we have control over.
Julie recently posted… Slumber Party Coming Up! HELP!!!
Twitter: bloggingwgypsy
says:
Michelle, as always — you share a post that just fits the moment! Working through the "how" to roll with it sometimes is not a speedy resolution, but I think I am getting some progress on the chaos I'm working through right now. Coffee dates with a great shoulder are very helpful :D
Twitter: BarbaraCharles
says:
Great advice. Loving your positivity and inspiration. We do have our days when everything seems like it's going wrong. We must get through it.
Regards,
Barbara
Barbara Charles recently posted… A Secret Tip To Getting Organized in 2013
This is such an important skill to develop. The more we can teach it to our kids and grandkids the better their lives will be. It's a critical coping skill today when we so much floating around us. I've developed a response trigger that is what I call my "triage assessment" routine. When something happens or I'm told about some issue/problem/change – you pick! I ask myself these questions: 1) Do I have to take care of this before I finish what I'm working on? 2) If I choose to not take care of this right now -what is the impact to me? 3) If I choose to not take care of this right now – what is the impact to others? The answers to those questions allows me to make a better choice for timing. Quite often issues resolve themselves when we give them the chance. And whether we know it or not, stepping back and letting things "simmer" often means our minds are better settled to make the choices we need to make.
Kathi Laughman recently posted… Are you an economy maker or an economic refugee?
Twitter: adaliaj
says:
As you suggested … when things don't go as planned … I focus on the next move. It's healthy and empowering. I've got to lead by example, yes. Stress, overwhelm, annoyance and other negative emotions keep opportunities, resolutions, solutions, innovations, ideas, answers or your success formula, away from you.
Adalia John recently posted… A Collection of Creativity Poems
I couldn't agree with you more. This is so true for so many of us, we try to hold on to things that we know very well we cannot change instead of focusing on how we come come out of our past and build our present. People choose to live in denial and blame everyone else but themselves for what did not work out. Thank you Michelle for sharing this with us truly food for thought!
Regards
Dickens