Featured Image Credit: DJ Johnson on Unsplash
Most posts I write on this page have a common thread other than motivation. It has the common thread of the power of the mind.
In my life, I've noticed how I approach things affects how I handle situations. If I hate talking with people on the phone, how do you think I'll sound to them when I call? It may be noticeable.
How well would I invest if every time I saw red, I'd close my portfolios because I hated to lose? I would ignore the portfolio when it was red or the market was down. In fact, that is what happened when I started investing.
I would focus on other activities. Until one day, I read a post by someone saying the red days are the best because that is where the bargains are. It also tests the strengths of your other choices. How well do they hold up under pressure?
In fact, the reason I started investing was that the stock market had crashed so significantly. In fact, an acquaintance had said her stockbroker friends have pulled all of their money out. How much lower could it go? I thought we'd have more significant problems if it went too low.
I took a harmful problem and found a positive framing. In life, we are faced with problems. Even if you do absolutely nothing, you'll encounter struggles. There are thousands, if not millions, of people who do the right thing. They go to college, get a job, buy a house, get married, and live happily ever after. They struggle in marriage, get released from their job, and suffer other issues.
If you are pursuing your own business, you will face challenges. As you grow, the problems will grow along with you. COVID-19 shut down millions of businesses and put so many out of business. This was a problem that few would have predicted.
When faced with such a scenario, many wish the problems were lessened. The burden softened. You must amend your approach to the struggle.
Motivational speaker and author Jim Rohn had this quote "Don't wish it was easier wish you were better. Don't wish for less problems wish for more skills. Don't wish for less challenge wish for more wisdom."
I fully believe in this approach. Wishing for more money won't solve your problem. Actively pursuing solutions will help you solve problems. Sometimes you may need luck, but if you don't take action, you won't give luck a chance.
Many businesses changed their business models during the pandemic to work around the restrictions.
Andy Henriquez has a great story of his mother's restaurant. She stood to lose her restaurant because her landlord wasn't paying his mortgage. The property went to auction. She showed up at the auction to talk to the potential new owners. Instead, she ended up bidding and winning the building. She didn't have the money, so she asked everyone she knew. With only three days left and $30,000 to go, she got a call from a friend. Her friend was saving to buy a house. (1) A little luck that wouldn't have happened or mattered without the effort.
She approached the problem with a positive perspective. Rather than giving up, she searched for a way to save her restaurant.
How can you rise to the level of your challenges?
Reposition the Problem
If you don't have enough money to make rent, it isn't beneficial to wish for more money. To wish you had the funds you already don't. Instead, you reposition the problem from I don't have enough money to how can I earn the money I need?
You can sell items in your home or work overtime. It might be possible to borrow money from a friend or relative.
You may just need a new job. How can you get a better job? Maybe you sell items in your house or apartment. Start by solving the current problem and avoid this future situation.
When a business is faced with a problem, it has to figure a way out. Don't wish the problem didn't exist; instead, work to get better. For better or worse, the problem is here. Become the person capable of solving this problem.
Challenge Assessments
In the case of Andy Henriquez's mother, the representative at the bank told her not to show up to the auction. That wouldn't make a difference. She was guaranteed to lose her restaurant if she did nothing. If she went, she could plead her case. What did she have to lose by going?
She ended up doing more.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was told no one would hire him as an actor. They said he was too big and muscular. His accent would be a huge problem for American audiences.
After smaller parts in even smaller movies, he landed a breakthrough role of Conan on Conan The Barbarian. The success of Conan gave Arnold more opportunities. Two years later, he landed the role of The Terminator in the movie of the same name.
This move role became iconic to an entire generation.
Part of challenging assessments is knowing the rules and when to break them.
Others may tell you something can't be done, or this problem is too big. If it's your life, it should at least be worth it to try.
Find an Ally
Humans have existed long enough that nearly every possible problem has been suffered and survived. You are not alone. You also may not be the first to suffer your particular problem.
Reach out to others in a similar field or whom you know have been through a similar problem. Getting a professional opinion is vital to help you circumvent some mistakes you could have otherwise made.
You can search online resources if there is no one you know. Find similar situations and how to work through them.
It is tempting to face problems alone. Wear it as a badge of honor for how much we accomplish on our own. It is okay to reach out for help. The only goal is the destination, and often success is best when shared.
What's Next?
If you are alive, you will encounter challenges. Big or small, they encompass a significant portion of our life. It is important to face them head-on. Don't waste time wishing it didn't happen; it's time to make things happen.
No matter what is thrown in our direction, we have solutions. Most times, the solution lies somewhere other than where we think. Sometimes the solution is to walk away.
Whenever you encounter a problem, try to reposition it. Don't wish for more customers in your store. Instead, ask yourself, how can I get more customers in my store?
Fight the woe is my statement, and instead, position the question as a solvable equation. You can't pay your rent. How can you earn enough to make the rent payment?
Challenge the presuppositions of others and yourself. Don't just take the result at face value. It may seem unlikely you can win or that you won't succeed. But you won't know unless you truly give it a shot. If you don't try you will guarantee loss; when you try, there is always a chance.
Find sympathetic voices. Finding people who've suffered as you have is a blessing. They can offer advice and a snapshot of what your potential future could hold. Even situations that appear the same may have differences.
It won't hurt to get a professional opinion to make the best possible choice.
We will all encounter struggles. Finding a way through them or past them is the key to the life you want.