4 Ways to Constructively Deal with Challenges

Let’s face it, no matter how much we love our work or the people we work with, there will be times when we will face struggles and challenges. When we face these workplace struggles (and we all do from time to time), it is easy to become upset, anxious and stressed quickly.

Here are four ways you can be more constructive when dealing with challenges at work or in your personal life.

1. Be grateful.

When we are going through our personal struggles, the last thing most of us want to do is to be thankful and grateful. But the reality is that gratefulness and a grateful heart are almost like a vaccination against stress, worry and anxiety.

Try starting your day before leaving bed thinking about what you are grateful for. I will go far as to say that the more things you can feel grateful about when waking up in the morning correlate to how better your day will go.

Even when things go wrong, and they will; be grateful. Rather than say to yourself, “why me?” ask yourself what is the lesson you can learn through this challenge.

2. Don’t focus on the issue.

Have you ever noticed that sometimes things work out all by themselves without you having to do anything? Ask yourself if you can control or manage what is going on. If you can’t, then put it aside and tell yourself you will think about it later. In the meantime, get back to focusing on that next task you are about to complete.

Of course, doing this is easier said than done, but it definitely is a powerful strategy and comes straight from the Buddhist’s playbook of being able to be detached from the situation you find yourself in.

3. Ask for help.

Sometimes when we’re going through difficulties and struggles, we can’t see the wood for the trees. If you find yourself caught up in the problem and can’t see a way out, approach a friend whom you trust and ask them for their guidance. Just make sure the person you are asking for help is someone who will treat your situation confidentially and be of help and not add to your problems.

4. Create a plan.

As the saying goes, “the best way to eat an elephant is in small pieces.” While I’m not advocating eating elephants, one way to approach problems constructively is to break them down into smaller pieces and handle one small piece of the time. There is no point worrying too much about any situation if you don’t have a way to solve the problem.

The Wrap

There is no way to avoid problems. In fact, some might say that the more problems we have, the more progress in life we make. I have always discovered that working through problems can empower you and make you stronger and better.