By Nilofer Safdar
Whether you’ve lost a job, moving to college, or plain struggling in life, there are some coping measures that can make adapting to change a little easier. Here Tempo offers 11 sure-fire ways to help you manage tough times.
- Everything can – and will – change
No matter how bad the situation is or how long you have suffered it, know that it is going to change. Like the movement of the pendulum from one side to the other, the flow of life never stops. Everything has to change. Whether you have good things showing up in life or bad, they all have to change. This is part of the ebb and flow of life. Remind yourself frequently, ‘this too shall pass’.
- You’ve overcome challenges before
You have overcome challenges before, and you are equipped to handle challenges. These are part of your unknown unacknowledged skill sets. Take stock of the challenges you have overcome that you are not acknowledging. What challenges were you able to overcome in the past? What skills and resources did you use to overcome them?
- It’s a learning experience
Everything is a learning experience, even the bad ones. Take stock your experiences and your actions, and learn to improve on the way you react to external situations.
- Not getting what you want can be a blessing
This may be hard to accept but sometimes not getting what you want allows life to unfold in surprising ways. It may take you towards your purpose quicker than through the route of getting everything you desire.
Years ago, I joined a marketing business. I spent a lot of time and effort in it but no matter what I did, it did not work. After a year I found my real calling, which was coaching and facilitating people. I realize now that if I had become successful at network marketing, I would never have continued to seek that elusive something that I was searching for.
- Allow yourself to have some fun
Take time out to smell the roses; take time out to have some fun. Create moments of fun in your day no matter how things are in your work. Always seek something to laugh at or have fun with.
- Be kind to yourself
Be kind. Be kind to yourself. We spend our lives being kind to other people, but we are most unkind to ourselves.
- Other people’s negativity isn’t worth worrying about
What other people choose is none of your business. Ask yourself, am I being an effect of other people’s negativity? If so, how can I change it? Asking for something to change, is the first step to changing it.
- You have lots of strengths as a person
Recognize those strengths that you have and that you are not acknowledging. Make a list of them, and embrace them. Knowing who you are and what you have is crucial to moving forward.
- Anything is possible
Know that everything can be changed, and that anything is possible! Change directions if you have to, but never give up. Never give in. Never quit!
- Great things take time
Everything takes its own time. We tend to be impatient and give up just a few inches from the goal post. Time isn’t real, it is relative. Make time your friend, and keep your eye on the prize.
- There is always something to be thankful for
Gratitude is the key to changing anything. There is always something to be thankful for in life. Find those moments of gratitude in the day. Catch them. Acknowledge them. Write about them.
A couple of years ago, I started writing down 10 new things I was grateful for everyday. Pretty soon I was looking for things to be grateful for. A walk in the rain, a strangers smile, a random act of kindness. I realized one day, that I had shifted from feeling lack to abundance, to enjoying plenty.
