Tough times are inevitable. Something is going to happen to you that you didn’t want to happen – you didn’t expect to happen. What are you going to do about it?
A couple of weeks ago, I visited the George W. Bush Presidential Library on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. And in my first visit to a presidential library, I was reminded of the difficult moments, days, weeks, and months following the September 11, 2001 attacks on our country.
In one of the exhibits, I watched a short video in which the former president said:
I never wanted to be a wartime president.
And there are going to be things that happen to you that you didn’t want – or expect to happen to you.
Let’s face it – Life is going to deal you a hand that you don’t want to play. And the fundamental question is – how are you going to play it?
That’s just the way life is.
Like you (and our 43rd president), I have been confronted by some incredibly difficult circumstances. Yes – there were times when the pain was the byproduct of my own poor choices. But many times, it was not.
And rather than wasting precious time and enormous amounts of energy regretting my path, asking why or what if – I have chosen to focus on these 5 things when I’m faced with tough times…
1. Tough Times – Keep going.
Acknowledge the pain, no matter what it is – a bad boss, a challenging team member, an unexpected diagnosis, trouble at home. Make time to reflect on it. But no matter what – don’t give up.
You will be far more effective if you focus on the vision and keep moving. When you’re faced with challenging circumstances, ask – What one thing can I do today to heal from the wound and move forward?
2. Tough Times – Keep growing.
So many people struggle when vision or plans are unclear. They don’t know where to start or how to move forward. And they do the absolute worst thing – they stop.
So when you’re feeling unsupported, blocked, or stuck – grow on purpose. When it doesn’t feel like you and your team are making progress – don’t stop, keep growing. When your life and work seems designed to frustrate you and thwart your plans – grow on purpose.
Don’t stop. Keep going. Your breakthrough is closer than you think. [Tweet “Keep growing. Because today’s challenges are the fuel for tomorrow’s successes.”]
3. Tough Times – Keep evaluating.
Your success is dependent upon your understanding of why you do what you do. Do you have a purpose? Is it compelling?
Revisit your purpose, your vision, your goals. Clarify them. Rewrite them. Make them memorable. Make them meaningful.
Ask yourself, Where did I get off track? And, What’s one step I can take today toward getting back on track?
4. Tough Times – Keep producing.
Is there an area of your life or work in which you’ve not been able get the results you desire – the results that you know are possible?
To get better results, get more specific. Get more specific with what you want to accomplish and when you want to accomplish it. Get more specific with how you’re going to do it. And get more specific about the help you need and with who you need help from.
Break the project into smaller very specific tasks. Block out specific time on your calendar. Whatever the project is – get more specific!
When you do, you’ll experience greater productivity and efficiency!
So, what is it that you need to get more specific about today?
5. Tough Times – Keep serving.
Serving is rarely the first thing that comes to mind when you are navigating a tough time. And yet the best way to get your mind off the bad that is happening to you is to focus on serving others.
When you care for others – and do something about it – you’ll often find that you are more encouraged than those you are serving.
Do it.
Here’s what I am going to do today – [Tweet “Encourage someone who is about to give up. “]
And I’d like for you to join me.
Don’t make a mental note. Don’t write their name down. Just do it – right now.
Stop for just a moment and call them, write them a note, send a text, buy them a small, simple gift. Share this post with them. Let them know that they matter. Encourage them to keep going.
You’ll be glad you did.
After being down and out due to my life changes, I’ve found that listening to encouraging music that’s almost meditation to the sound, provides me a moment of silence. In that moment of silence, I then tell myself enough with feeling sorry for myself, its time to control what I can. With being at peace and accepting of my life situation, I plan for constructed and productive things to do or gain. It makes me feel better and reminds me of my purpose! I make sure to fill my day with things to do, and throughout it all, I stay optimistic and positive! Once accomplish, I reflect on the day and repeat til I’m back in the groove!
I love that you have found several ways to deal with uncomfortable changes in life. It’s so important to remind ourselves of our purpose too. Great thoughts!
I understand if this does not get posted, however I would be remiss if I did not add….. My Lord will never give me more than I can handle and He has promised that… I can do all things (even overcome adversity) because He strengthens me. Have a blessed day!
in my opinion, FOLLOW YOUR CURIOSITY is the one which people usually ignore. Curiosity makes us keep fresh with the world that makes us enjoy the colorful lives
Marking forward progress, usually, though that often takes an outside observer who says “This is how far you’ve come!”
I agree, Doug. Hope you are doing well.
Great article…Just what I needed this morning. “Keep Going, Growing, Evaluating, Producting, Serving.” tmsjewelry.kitsylane.com
Great to hear, Tracy!
I can do, I just need a push, A push from inside…
Yes – there are times when each of us needs a little push.
Having a WHY helps keep me going.
I agree, Joe. Understanding and living out our purpose (the why) is powerful. Vision is the guiding force for all great human endeavors.
Only purpose of being there will satisfy me in all type of times to come. If i have no purpose then i have no life.
Thanks my friend.
For me remembering that the work God has called me to do is greater than myself is a motivating factor that really keeps me going ahead when times are tough.
Great perspective, Caleb!
I ‘prime the pump’ by using a 5-5-5 DAILY plan: Five calls (yes, pick up the phone!); 5 emails and 5 handwritten notes. When I am intentional about this, the results are amazing.
I like this simple approach!
Thanks!
This is a great discipline – love it. How long does it take you to do this?
Thanks – it depends on the contact(s). I’d say 60 minutes total. But one thing I have noticed about human nature is that we spend far more time thinking about it than we invest in actually DOING it–to your point of “DO IT.”
By the way, make your list the night before so you can hit the ground running!
Very interesting – I suspect you have some great relationships if you are spending an hour a day developing them.
The thing that keeps me on track or target is looking at my 1-page-productivity plan. I remember what I need to do. Second, I look at what I want to see happen. Third, and most important I pray. For me, to believe is to become.
Anthony: do you have a link you can share for info on the 1 page productivity plan you mention? I use Michael Hyatt’s Life Plan (as I believe Michael Nichols as well) format. Always interested in other approaches though. Thanks!
Thanks for connecting, Caleb – I appreciate your email this morning.
Love the idea of a 1-page-productivity plan. Have you developed a form/template for this?