5 Ways to Respond Differently to Your Challenges

None of us has ever met genuine success without negotiating a fair amount of challenges. Or vice versa, overcoming challenges in the right way has produced desired success, right? Can we say success and challenges go hand-in-hand? Yes, we can. The elements are so ingrained in each other; it is impossible to separate them. 

Challenges are an integral part of life – from the wealthiest man on earth to the not-so-privileged, including the destitute on the streets. Although, at the same time, success is secondary or of little value for the poor, while the rich instantly evaluate achievement based on the challenges they face, and it can be related either to personal or professional life.  

It does not mean the poor or not-so-privileged do not want to succeed, but they prioritize mitigating challenges. Most people believe, checking difficulties at the right time eases life, which automatically results in success. And yes, it is commonly seen, holding a positive attitude during rough times indeed produces triumph.

Success and struggles are abstract elements, and they never discriminate against the poor, the wealthy, the healthy, or the frail. People who are willing to taste success, take challenges head-on, keep their self-motivation alive, stay focused on their goals, and keep negativity at bay. 

But despite having all the qualities mentioned above, we see only a handful of successful people who are graceful, down-to-earth, charming, seldom let their success come in the way of helping & uplifting others. How is it possible? The answer is – the way they respond to challenges. Yes, you read it right – responses to challenges. 

Several successful and experienced people, experts in their respective fields, have time and again said – it is not what happens to you that matters; what matters is the way you react, especially when testing situations arise unexpectedly. So, the moral – your success relies on the way you respond to challenges.

You can follow a few things to ensure your approach and posture are at their best, irrespective of circumstances.

Focus on your future: Irrespective of challenges, focus on your future than living in the past. Stop thinking, worrying about who did what and who is to blame; focus on where you want to be and what you want to do. Create a clear mental image of your desired successful future. Then, take action to begin moving in that direction. Prepare your mind, thoughts, and mental ideas for the future. It is the first step toward managing challenges; your responses will boost your confidence and challenge tackling skills as you progress.

Try to find a solution: Whenever you face difficulty, try to solve the problem by finding a solution. Think about an ideal solution to the challenge, rather than spending time restating and thinking about the situation. Solutions are positive, whereas difficulties are negative. 

Please spend some time writing details of the problem, and then take a reasonable step to solve it. The moment you start thinking about a solution, you become positive and constructive.

You are not alone: Each individual has a low point in life; some handle it better than others, but the truth is, whatever you are going through, there are chances others have been through it. So, remind yourself, you are not alone. Try and connect with your community, friends, or family. Share your concerns or challenges; possibly, someone from your network might have the right solution.

Seek help: Once you realize you are not alone, you should seek help. Never feel embarrassed asking for help. Whether you choose a loved one, a stranger, a mentor, or a friend, some people surely want to help you succeed. At this juncture, be careful not to lose your posture, ensure your expressions do not convey negative signals. Choose the element where you need help instead of revealing too much. Remember, when you share your feelings, you may also see your situation in a new light.

Accept help: Seeking help is one side of the coin. On the other side of the coin, be open and willing to accept help. People who come to support you care about you, and by being open to receiving help, you feel good and ensure people and relations are respected. 

Remember, asking and accepting help is an integral part of your response to challenges. Walking alone or overcoming challenges alone can be stressful, and you may fail. 

Learn lessons: Assume that whatever situation you face or are going to face is the right situation you need to succeed ultimately. The challenges have been sent to you to help you learn, to help you become better, to help you expand and grow. 

Explore and evaluate the precious lessons in every adversity. Then, make a list of ideas or insights you gain from every setback or difficulty. 

Amid challenges, a positive mental attitude is essential to your success. You can be as positive as you want to be if you think about the future and look for the good. If you do what successful people do, you will be cheerful most of the time, and if you use your mind to exert mental control over the situation, you will see challenges are nothing, but just scalable hurdles in the race of life.