Overcoming Challenges: My Top Proven Tips

This was a question posed to me earlier this week: What actions are you taking to overcome the challenges you are currently facing?

How often do you give up when the thing you’re working towards becomes increasingly difficult and overwhelming? Are you currently facing challenges that have totally stonewalled you?

I see it happen every day with my clients and people I observe. And, I have to be aware of my own inclination to pivot to something new when a problem taxes me.

I’ve recently started creating content for a video-based platform, which is a departure from my text-based content. It’s not going smoothly.

The parts of me that still hold doubt storm the mental and emotional gates. Maybe this isn’t the right fit for you. Shouldn’t you be growing faster? What’s wrong with your content? You’re spending a lot of time and energy on this to accomplish what? Just quit. You have other areas where you’re more successful. Stick to what you know.

How do I cope?

Buckle up, ‘cause I have a whole slew of suggestions to share.

#1. Don’t expect new things to come easily. My background is in education, and I’ve taught students from four-years-old to mid-life college students. I understand the process of learning new information. To acquire new information or skills you must scaffold it. Just as you don’t give a kindergartner a college level text and expect them to understand it, you can’t expect yourself to master something new at lightning speed if you’ve never encountered it before.

Think of it in terms of leveling up in a game. You start at level 1 and you don’t move onto the next level until you have mastered and conquered the prior level.

#2. Approach challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. I’m experienced in a number of industries. I was successful in those industries. You, likewise, have areas of expertise and you have years of life experience. This creates a mastery or expertise bias in our minds. It’s easy to allow the ego to take over and tell you stories that aren’t true like:

• I’m a successful person, so this new venture will come easily to me.

• If I’m struggling, that means I shouldn’t be doing this thing.

• I’m older and experienced, so I shouldn’t be struggling.

• I’ve done something similar before, so this should be simple.

I’m generally okay with not knowing something and starting out as a newbie. I find it exciting. Life is a journey, and I don’t want to stop learning. However, that doesn’t mean that struggling isn’t tiring. 

#3. Know that you can succeed. I have no question that I can succeed at something that is within reason. For example, I’m probably too old to be an Olympic athlete but I can be a healthy, athletic person. If there is something you want to succeed doing, you can make it happen. Dedicate yourself to a process, ask questions, learn and apply new knowledge consistently. That’s how you make forward progress.

Setting achievable goals is important, but I also don’t place a ceiling on what I will accomplish. I don’t know what my boundaries are, so I don’t set boundaries. I have a friend who is a successful entrepreneur. One day he was talking about a friend who struggles to fulfill his potential. He said, “The difference between him and me is that I don’t see ceilings.”

I wish I had my friend’s innate ability to not see ceilings, but I don’t. However, it’s something you and I can learn. 

It’s a game of the mind, whether or not we can overcome challenges. Train yourself to see challenges as an opportunity to learn and grow, instead of a sign to give up. Commit to a daily mindset shift in the direction you’re heading. Do this by . . .

• developing a mindfulness practice (e.g., meditation)

• engaging in activities that push you to do things that don’t come easily

• participate in creative efforts that allow you to play, explore, and do things that encourage ignoring boundaries.

#4. Don’t expect to have all the answers. I don’t have answers to all the questions that pop into my head. You don’t either, I’ll bet. I find myself asking more questions in rebuttal. Are the questions that invade valid and helpful? What will pursuing the answers gain me? 

Remember, not every thought hanging out on the street corners of your mind is there to help you out. 80% of our thoughts are negative and 95% are repeated. You are predisposed to a negativity loop.

You don’t have to have every question answered to keep moving forward.

#5. Don’t force things to happen. But, understand that there is a difference between not forcing and not progressing. Reconnect to your WHY. Get solid on why you’re doing what you’re doing, then reevaluate what you need to do to continue making progress. 

#6 View your challenge as a signal, a form of communication. Take time to sit with your challenge without imposing your emotions on it. Just listen. It will tell you what you need to do next. 

Your challenge may be telling you to fill a knowledge or skill gap. It may be telling you that you are proceeding at an unsustainable pace. It may be telling you that you are scattered and need to streamline your approach.

The challenge presented to you doesn’t determine your boundaries, YOU determine your boundaries.

So, which of these approaches have you tried? What information in this newsletter can help you overcome your current challenge? Whatever you do, my friend, don’t give up.

As always, I’m sending you Peace, Love, & Harmony.

Do You Need Help Tapping Into Your Potential?

Are you struggling to meet your goals and wish you had support? Have you ever considered working with a coach? You may not know what a coach does.

One-on-One Coaching:

• You and I develop an individualized plan targeting your specific goals

• You receive individualized support from me

• Answers to your specific questions

• Guidance on your specific issues and blocks

• Accessibility to me outside coaching sessions for added support (individual texts and emails to check in)

• Your plan leads to learning how your personal growth is in your control

Are you ready to take action but are at a loss on what step to take next? 

I can teach you how to get started and accelerate your growth by using repeatable methods. Need the tools? I’ve got them. The goal is always to make you independent. I should be working myself out of a job. Once you take off, you may want to have a session from time to time, especially if you are scaling your goals. A good coach teaches you how to stand on your own two feet. Contact me today. Are you ready to CONNECT?