Hello, friends! We recently began not only a new year, but a new decade. People commonly make New Year’s resolutions, like starting or continuing good habits, changing not-so-good habits, accomplishing a goal, or otherwise making personal/professional improvements throughout the year. Though you don’t have to make any resolutions, we want you to be prepared for the obstacles & challenges that will come.
No matter who you are, you will definitely face challenges. It can be tempting to view life’s obstacles negatively, as they tend to be unpleasant and slow us down. Resist the temptation!
Try to embrace the challenges you face. They specialize in pushing us out of our comfort zones to increase our growth and broaden our thinking. In actuality, the negative feelings that come with challenges are more like growing pains.
Let’s look at this another way. Think about physical strength. To build bodily strength and endurance, you must apply a bit of resistance to your muscles. Challenges produce resistance, which develops inner fortitude, which is defined as courage in pain or adversity.
A challenge is a situation of being faced with something that needs great physical and/or mental effort to overcome. Challenges are excellent opportunities for growth. As you go through them, you become stronger. The next time you encounter a similar problem, you’ll be better equipped to handle it quicker and with less effort.
I am who I am because of everything that has happened, not in spite of it.
Tips to accepting adversity and overcoming obstacles
Instead of looking at your struggle as a curse – view it as a platform. You are where you are for a reason. Allow it to inspire other people. The obstacles and challenges we encounter have the potential to teach others to excel when they are faced with adversity.
When someone mistreats you, acknowledge your pain and allow yourself to forgive. The weight of unforgiveness is huge… but only for the person carrying it. Don’t let that be you!
Learn from your experiences. Every time you overcome an obstacle, you become more empowered. It lifts you up, makes you stronger and makes it easier for you to overcome the next one. If you surrender to the challenge and the difficulties that come with it, it will be even more difficult next time. It’s just like building muscle – the more you train, the stronger you become.
Benefits of embracing challenges
Obstacles give purpose by revealing the parts in us that need improvement. They can reveal to us what is inhibiting our overall growth. The best way to overcome a problem is to lean in and face it directly. Learn from what challenges you and ultimately move past it!
Facing obstacles may not always be the most pleasant, but they do not necessarily prevent us from reaching our goals. They can guide us in where to go next.
Obstacles shift our perspective by equipping us to handle what is thrown our way. Choose to view your setbacks as opportunities for self improvement.
When facing challenges, your mindset is key. Practice intentional positivity in spite of adversity. When you stop dwelling on what is wrong, you allow the possibility for things to go right. Instead of committing to self-defeating negativity, choose to adopt a positive mindset and grow into the best version of yourself!
“It is not what happens to us that determines our fate, but rather what we do about it that makes the difference.” -Leon Ho
Welcoming a new year and decade
In order to feel elevated, energized and ready for the new year and decade, get prepared. First, create some space to focus on your goals. Creating space can either be done mentally or in the physical space around you. Next, welcome positivity around yourself and watch how it impacts your energy for the better.
Think about where you are right now. What do you want or want to change? What are you doing to make it happen? If what you are doing cannot help you to get where you want to be, is it worth doing? It’s important to evaluate your goals and steps, from time to time, to make sure you are stepping towards your goals.
Stay organized by prioritizing, scheduling and following through. You can even create a reflection list. Think about what has challenged you in the past. How did you overcome those challenges? Start with preparation and be deliberate with your action.
Look back to get ahead because the best teacher is experience. Often, our toughest challenges will become our biggest lessons.
Continue to chase your dreams and think big. Be open to new opportunities and remember, a new year (and decade) means new opportunities!
Nearly everyone has had traumatic experiences. It’s important that we overcome, not just for our own well-being, but for the sake of others. Allow difficulty to develop your character – become better, not bitter. What you go through and grow through is never just for you.
“Your pain can grow into an empathy-fueled purpose and passion to help others.” Mark Merrill
