Apr182006
Staying Positive Through Adversity
"Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it." -Anonymous
How are you feeling today?
If your honest answer would be “not very well Russ,” I understand.
From time to time, we all face problems in our lives that are extremely difficult to overcome. Maybe you’re in the midst of struggling with financial worries, health issues, addiction or the breakup of a relationship. It can be hard to feel in control and stay positive. I know, because I’ve been there, and I can tell you from experience – you can stay positive despite the challenges you’re facing.
You may be saying to yourself, “How can I keep my chin up? I’m dealing with so much right now, it’s hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel.”
Remember at these times that your mindset is as important as your actual situation, so the first step is to give yourself an attitude check. Are you unconsciously taking every situation as negatively as possible – automatically seeing the bad in everything? If you can catch yourself doing this, you’re already more than halfway to fixing the problem.
Remember, no matter how difficult it may be to stay positive on a given day, it’s still easier than being negative! When you choose to be negative, you are choosing the hard way. Why? Because believe it or not, allowing yourself to have a gloomy outlook will only serve as an obstacle to making anything good happen.
You have to work at staying positive every day. You can’t just think about being positive, you have to take action. It’s not easy, but here’s the best part. Having a good attitude and taking steps to improve your situation is a habit that you can build. Once you’re in the habit, it won’t take much effort at all to continue.
Sometimes, you’ll need to take action when you’re feeling at your worst. On those days when all you feel like doing is going back to bed and pulling the covers up over your head, that is when it’s the most important to read/watch/listen to something motivational, get some exercise, or spend time catching up with a friend or family member. In other words, do something that will force you out of your negativity! Don’t succumb to sulking and stewing – it will only makes your situation worse.
The true challenge in life is not just overcoming your problems, but also deciding how you’ll respond to and solve those problems. You always have a choice in how you will handle the challenges before you.
Being able to staying positive through adversity is something that few people do naturally, but it can be learned if you practice every day. Try keeping this thought in mind when you’re in situations that make you want to give up: "this, too, shall pass."
So the next time someone asks you how you feel, try this response:
“I’m great! But I’m going to be even better soon, don’t worry!”
Make it a habit, keep your eyes up and your back straight, and inevitably your circumstance will catch up to your positive mindset. I know this may sound tough, but with a little practice, you too can learn to stay positive through adversity.
I believe there is happy, fulfilled and wealthy life out there for everyone. If you can use your inner strength to stay focused on what you want and keep seeking it out, I know you will find yours soon.
Warmly,
Russ
Founder of Winning in the Cash Flow Business
The Dalbey Education Institute
Founder of Winning in the Cash Flow Business
