How to View a Problem as a Positive Opportunity
What do you do when problems arise??? Do you panic? Do you brush them under the rug? Do you face them head on? Or do you sometimes feel like just giving up?
We all have different responses to challenges in life. But what if you chose to view every problem as a positive opportunity? Sound crazy? Maybe so. In the moment, problems don’t feel good and most of us would prefer to avoid them whenever we can. So you may be asking yourself, “How do I possibly see them as a positive in my life?”
Well, you have a choice when a problem arises. You can stay where you are, stagnate and complain about it. OR you can change things, improve upon them, learn and grow. You can do something different because you realize what you’ve been doing isn’t working out.
Your future relies on the decisions you make today, so look at how the situation can help you evolve. So called problems are often an indicator that it is time to change something. If what we are thinking and doing is not bringing us the desired result and a problem arises, we need to make a change. And this is a perfect opportunity for growth!!
Think about it. If everything feels fine and life is going along smoothly, are you very likely to change anything at all? No, probably not. You often hear – if it’s not broke, don‘t fix it. Leave well enough alone. But then how will we ever move forward? What will inspire us to do more? To be better?
I’m not saying there is NOTHING else that motivates us. We have goals and aspirations that push us along, but studies have shown that pain motivates us to move more quickly than anything else simply because we want to move thru it and be pain-free again.
It’s all about how you respond to the challenge. Problems can help us get out of a rut, build better relationships, accomplish more, etc. It may hurt at the moment, but take that pain and let it guide you out of your current situation and into something better. Maybe a problem helps you have more empathy because you can understand what someone else is going thru. Or a health problem causes you to eat better and exercise. Maybe something causes you to reach out and form a stronger friendship because you finally let someone know you need them. Or a financial problem helps you realize you need to gain more knowledge on investing or change your spending patterns. We could go on and on.
Problems do not HAVE to remain a source of pain. Let them be the doorway to something new, something you may not have considered otherwise. You never know what may be waiting for you on the other side. It is time to start viewing your problems as an invitation for growth.
Be Free!
Lauri Sompres
PS – I would love to hear how you have taken a problem in your life and turned it into a positive opportunity. Post a comment below.
Lauri,
Thanks for the great post. I took the opportunity to turn a heart condition (a mitral valve prolapse) and turn it into a reason and motivator to eat healthier and start doing triathlons. Great tip keep them coming!
Comment by Tom W — April 1, 2008 @ 10:57 am
Great subject here! I have been thinking all day about problems that I have had over the past 5 years and how most of them have turned into blessings in disguise…relationships, career choices, location, etc. Thanks Laurie!
Comment by Jeff Caissie — April 1, 2008 @ 6:52 pm
Great post Lauri!
It’s also helpful to see how other people handle their challenges and then decide to do things differently. A friend’s complaint/problem about the aging process and hitting what he considers an “unhappy milestone” has caused me to take stock of hitting that same milestone and choosing to do it with gusto. Your point of how we respond to challenges was terrific – his negative response has become part of my inspiration. I’ve upped my level of physical activity and am excited about the results…and it’s just getting better!
Thank you for the added incentive!
Comment by Jodi B — April 1, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Great topic Lauri! I have learned to view problems as challenges…and I love a good challenge!
When I am facing a problem, instead of creating stress for myself I choose to replace my mindset with, hmmm, this is a challenge for me, what can I do to overcome it? Just a simple shift in my thinking eliminates my frustration and frees me from feeling stuck. Challenges are opportunities for growth!
Comment by Loren — April 2, 2008 @ 1:31 pm