“All your distress is self-generated... Anxiety, disappointment, stress, anger, shame, guilt, all the unpleasant stuff that makes up your suffering...”
-Shirzad Chamine
How do the words above resonate with you?
Pause here for a moment and free yourself from distractions:
Take a deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... calm your mind and be present...
All the unpleasant stuff seems to have a way of piling up. There is never a perfect time to deal with whatever it is and most of it, we have no control over. Anxiety, stress, anger, guilt... no one wakes up wishing to experience a day filled with these feelings.
What does one do?
Think about that for a moment...
Coach Shirzad, the author of the book Positive Intelligence, teaches that our negative past experiences have a way of planting false information in our minds. These thoughts take over generating the feelings described above and can lead to further damage if we allow it.
There is an upside. If all the distress is self-generated then conversely there must be a way to counter act the negative feelings and emotions. The suggestion is, to look for the gift and opportunity in every circumstance.
Lifehack.com Shares these tips to help you find the hidden opportunity:
1. Focus on the Positive:
No matter the situation, positive thinking has been related to so many healthy benefits like increased life span, lower rates of depression, better psychological and physical well-being, and better coping skills during hardships. Train your brain to find opportunities over limitations.
2. The Beauty of a Blocker:
Finding the beauty in something bad encourages personal strength and boosts self confidence. Once you overcome past challenges, you feel empowered, and you’re more likely to feel confident in taking charge of future challenges.
3. What’s Stopping You Should Be Your Main Focus (For Now):
Use this instance as your main opportunity, and not a setback. This will help you see what to focus on first before tackling other aspects of your goals.
4. Get Moving to Get Unstuck:
Don’t let your limitations keep you constrained. Identify your limitations and find the hidden opportunity or obstacle that, if overcome, would open new opportunities that weren’t available before.
5. Make the Change You've Always Wanted Now!
This is the right time to make your goals happen. Take action!
“One can’t control or choose much of what happens in work and in life... We can, however, determine the impact that these events have on us by choosing how we respond.”
Today’s Challenge:
Pick one thing in your life, whether work or home that causes you high stress.
Think of at least three ways the problem could turn into a gift and opportunity.
How I’ll you adjust the way you respond when confronted with a crises?
What are you willing to do?
The choice is yours, choose wisely!
Don’t miss your opportunity! Be intentional, encourage others to do the same and watch what happens.
You got this!
Coach Tavia
References:
Chamine, Shirzad, Positive Intelligence: Why only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve There True Potential and How You Can Achieve Yours.
Stuck in a Rut? Find the Hidden Opportunity
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