What if your problems were really opportunities for growth? What if, rather than being damaging sources of angst, frustration, disconnection, and fear, your “problems” were actually opportunities to expand your capacity for awesome things like wisdom, creativity, patience, and connecting?
The truth is, with a new perspective all of our problems can transform into meaningful opportunities. I feel your skepticism… I know we encounter serious things in life, and my intention is not to belittle anyone or anything. However, I also know we voluntarily place WAY MORE into the “problem” bucket than deserves to be there. I put “problem” in quotes because yours might be the angry, fearful, judgmental, or hopeless bucket. Whatever you call it, if it winds-you-up, it is causing you to think and act in a less-than-your-best capacity.
Last week I saw the below anecdote from Tut.com. I liked it so much it became the inspiration for today’s blog. I have paraphrased it a little, but they still get all the credit:
“When you play a game with family and friends, like hide and seek, Twister, or even Monopoly, do you lose sleep the night before? Do you worry what people will think of your performance? Do you wonder how your past or your childhood years might influence your moves? Do you “replay” each turn in your mind over and over?
No, you don’t. Because it’s just for fun. You understand that no matter what happens, nothing about playing the game detracts from who you are. You might not “win”, but you’ll be richer and wiser for the time spent thinking, calculating, and sharing with the people you are with. You might even relish the refinement and development of your skills.
Bottom line, you can become more for the playing, but not less. And so, the more you play, the more fun you have, the more you grow, and the better you get.
The board is your life. The tokens are the people in your life. Achieving particular dreams and overcoming customized challenges are your prizes. There are health games, wealth games, relationship games, confidence games, pride games, and worthiness games. There may even be games you’ve never heard of before. Some games play one at a time; others play many at once. But no one, ever, has anything to lose.”
The next time you feel problems bringing you down, try shifting your perspective with a few simple questions:
- Is there something I can learn through this situation? (Maybe even teach?)
- Do I really have all the information? (Who might be able to complete the picture?)
- Is how I feel supported by actual facts? (Or am I making upsetting assumptions?)
Before jumping head-first into that old familiar “problem” bucket, take one good breath and consider what your opportunities might actually be. Replacing problems with opportunities causes perspectives to shift, and “stuff” gets easier quickly. Creativity surges, collaboration ignites, and communication improves. Solutions appear, relationships deepen, and stress shrinks. You know what else? Because you shifted, the people around you live healthier, happier, and more successfully too!
Call or email us today for more information on how to turn a negative perspective into a solution-focused mindset.