For some of us; worrying may be the most natural thing to do when we encounter a problem or difficult circumstances. For others, worrying may be a default response. However worrying is unhelpful and a wasted effort. To worry is to engage in an act where our thoughts, emotions, and even actions are skewed towards analyzing how to avoid or solve perceived threats and consequences. The energy, effort and attention we pay to an issue that may or may not come to pass is truly wasted and is a sure way we rob ourselves of that precious peace of mind. I share three tips you can use when you are faced with problems, challenges, or trying circumstances. You are in control and you have the power to turn things around! So why worry, when you can problem solve!
The first tip for problem solving is: change what you focus on by redirecting your thoughts. Energy grows where energy flows and whatever you give your energy to is magnified. If you continue to give your attention to your issue it is only going to be magnified and increase your stress. If you change what you think about to something that will actually make you feel better; make you feel good you will find that you begin to feel better. Have you ever had to sit in a waiting room? Have you ever observed the persons waiting? Have you noticed who is calm and who is agitated? Chances are the person who is distracting himself with a magazine, a book or his phone appears more calm than the person who has nothing to focus on. You are not avoiding the issue when you change your focus; you are taking a pause by redirecting your attention until you feel you are able to address the issue.
Energy grows where energy flows and whatever you give your energy to is magnified. If you continue to give your attention to your issue it is only going to be magnified and increase your stress.
The second tip is to offer a gratitude prayer. This may sound bizarre and ridiculous as you are going through your issues. You may ask yourself what should I give thanks for; I am in the middle of crisis! When this is really the time to pause and give thanks for the good in your life. If you pause and take a hard look; you will soon realize that in spite of a crisis you do have a lot to give thanks for. When you can take a step back and change your attitude; you will soon be able to look at your problems objectively. Be sincere as you offer your gratitude prayer. Gratitude is the magical key to unlock all the good in your life.
The third tip is to break the problem down into bite size action steps. When you focus on the problem in its entirety and not in its parts; it is easy to become overwhelmed. Look at your problem in bite size pieces and come up with actionable steps to tackle the problem. According to www.anxietycanada.com “the first step is to identify that there is a problem. Once you have identified there is a problem; the next step is to state the facts and be specific about what the circumstances are. Third step is to break the problem up into smaller issues and tackle them that way.” Once you do this you will be surprised to see that what was once a crisis is now a series of problems with a solution now within reach.
Worrying might seem like a natural response but it really does you no good. You are creating stress in the body and flooding it with Cortisol; this hinders your capacity to devise a creative solution. The time spent fretting would be better spent finding the answers. In the moment when you can’t seem to breathe because the world is caving in; that is the moment to breathe. It might not always be easy; but try to remember there is a solution to every problem you just have to find it.
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Photo by Ayo Ogunseinde on Unsplash
Photo by Ayo Ogunseinde on Unsplash
The Perspective Matters 