Handling adversity is something everyone must do in business. Those who are successful are those who learn how to deal with adversity effectively – and maybe even turn it into advantages. My own process for handling challenges has been honed over decades of having them, and I would like to save you a lot of headaches and trouble with these tips.
1. Count Your Blessings
It’s cliche and hard to do when you are in the thick of a problem, but one of the best ways to step back from the issue is to take at least 10-15 minutes to think about the things you have to be grateful for. It could be anything from being alive today to having a great family to loving your car. Anything you can find to say “thank you” will put you in a different mindset to help you deal with issues more effectively.
2. Write Out Your Goals
Staying focused on the end game can be really hard when it feels like everything is falling apart. To stay motivated and focused, start writing down your goals twice a day, every day. This might sound excessive, but it’s been proven that writing out your goals helps you achieve them. Now, do you think that you will be better off writing your goals out 1-4 times per year, or 730 times? It also will help you remember why you are in business in the first place – a very important thing to remember when trouble strikes.
3. Remember Your Past
Chances are, you’ve faced adversity before. It may be in business or your personal life, and it may not have been exactly like what you’re facing now, but the point is to know you have had problems and overcome them before. You have learned lessons and skills that can help you navigate troubled waters, even new ones.
4. Ask For Guidance
It is the ultimate folly of pride to assume that you must go through everything alone. Asking for input or advice from outside parties can help immensely – especially if they have been through similar issues already. I always suggest you have a business coach, but you can also seek advice from networking, masterminds, and more. Just be sure you are seeking advice from people who are where you want to be in life/business. Seeking advice from the wrong people could quickly lead to disaster.
I hope you will take these tips to heart and use them in your next adversity. I am confident they WILL help you through it.
