– Just when you thought you had it all figured out … some new piece of information you never thought about comes your way and you have to start over.
– Everything you want is continually falling into place. It seems like it will be smooth sailing from here on out … and then you hit a major speed bump.
– Right when you really think you have your approach nailed down … you look up and see at least 10 other people doing it better than you.
– It’s one of those days where you just have way too much to do and not nearly enough time. You can’t find your keys, your cellphone is ringing off the hook, your mind is all over the place … and then you realize you have yet another 5 things to add to your “to do” list.
The beauty of life. You gotta love it … right?
The good times and bad; the ebb and flow, the love and heartbreak; the times when you feel you can’t handle anymore and the times when you feel inspired, motivated and ready to charge forward.
That’s the way life works. We get to taste it all … the sweet, the spicy and yes, even the sour.
But, what I have come to realize (and admittedly, it has taken me awhile) life is not just about what happens to you. What is most important is how you interpret and handle whatever comes your way.
We are all pretty good at handling things when they are going our way. It is easy to ride the wave when it is the moving the direction you want. That never really is the issue.
The question is how do you handle those days when things aren’t going as you would like.
How do you manage through those days where you feel overwhelmed or pushed too far? What do you do when issue after issue seems to come up? How do you react when someone pushes your buttons?
Do you get frustrated or annoyed? Are you someone that becomes irritated and impatient? Do you play the role of the injured victim? Do you break down under pressure?
The reality is that when it comes to life you are going to experience it all. Your life is the perfectly designed curriculum and it will provide you with the opportunities to strengthen the things you need to about yourself.
And, the one thing you can never lose sight of is that it is your job to have the right perspective and manage through it all in the best way possible. It really is all about your outlook and how you process and handle the things that come your way.
So, if today is one of those days where:
your boss is driving you nuts
your kids have you frazzled
things aren’t going the way you want
you aren’t feeling productive
your co-worker is pushing all your buttons
you have way too much to do
you are lacking motivation
your friend said something that really irritated you
you are in a not so great mood
… or any of the countless other things that we can let ruin our day.
Realize it is all about your perspective and mindset. If you want to turn things around and get them moving in the right direction, then the best place to start is working to improve your thoughts and your mindset (even if you don’t think anything is wrong with them).
How?
1. It is time for a reality check because things are never ever as bad or out of control as your mind can make them seem.
2. Don’t let negative thoughts about the situation continually run through your mind uncontrolled. Thoughts have a way of their own and if you let them run out of control, they will.
3. Choose to take control and anytime you have a negative thought, focus on its opposite. You have the power to concentrate on whatever you want … use it positively.
4. Continually focus on the right thoughts until they take over and fill your mind. Once they do, the negative thoughts will fall to the waste side and your mindset will automatically improve.
5. Always remember that your mood and how you feel about any situation is determined by your thoughts. Don’t focus on how bad you feel or on wallow in your own misery. Choose to take the quickest way out of a bad mood and improve it.
Live Today Better than Yesterday.
Hi Sibyl,
Have you read Stephen Coveys book “The 7 habits of Highly Effective People”?
In it he shares a phrase I love and that really describes this article:
“Response-able”.
All people have the ability to chose our response and decide what we are going to do with the hand that is dealt.
If we are in a bad mood it is because we chose to be in one, it is possible to turn it around.
Great article, you really hit the nail on the head, thanks.
Hey Daniel: I actually have come across that book … you are so right that it really is a good one. You are so right that we all have the ability to choose our response and decide how we are going to manage situations. It is something we always need to keep top of mind. Thanks for the comment and thanks for stopping by.
Hi Sibyl!
I love this post because I think it points to one of the most important factors in our personal development, which is awareness. If we can become aware of what we are thinking and then implement the suggestions you’ve set forth here, we can truly turn anything around. It’s all about stopping that voice in your head before it works you over. You are not your thoughts – your stronger than them!
Awareness is key. You are so right Marlee. I totally appreciate your point and it is so true that if we can just be aware of what we are thinking and then know when and how to turn our thoughts in another direction, there is nothing that we can’t handle or manage our way through. Thanks so much for the comment and for stopping by. Much appreciated.
Hi Sibyl
As always, a wonderful and insightful post. Thank heavens for your written words that inspire. What is most appreciative of your style, is not only do raise what requires our awareness and attention (or perhaps not) but also suggestions on “how” to rasie our awareness and modify our behaviour.
With gratitude,
nadia
Nadia: Thank you so much for the kind words about the post. I am so happy that you enjoy reading the articles here and that you take the time to stop by. Thank you also for leaving a comment and letting me know your thoughts. It is always appreciated and great feedback to have.
I’ve always invested in one phrase for a few years Sibyl that’s turned tears into cheers, “This too will pass”. Whatever hurts or hassles today will be a memory or a mystery some time tomorrow or very soon. But the fun always goes on! Right?
John: The fun definitely always goes on
What you said is so true and it is all about turning “tears into cheers”. I love that phrase by the way and also the one that “This too will pass”. That is definitely one of my go-tos anytime I think I need to just get through a situation. Thanks so much for the comment and stopping by. Always great to hear your thoughts.
Hi Sibyl,
Very informative and lovely post!
It has taken me a while as well my friend to realize that it is all about our attitude and how we respond to events and circumstances. Looking at the situation from the positive way really does make all the difference. The more we focus on the positive interpretation, the more we avoid unwanted stress and anxiety. Excellent post as always Sibyl! Thanks for sharing
Hey Dia: So glad that you liked the post and it has taken me awhile as well
I think though it is one of the greatest lessons and something we can work at everyday. It really is all about focusing on the positive interpretation as you mentioned. Thanks so much for the comment.
Sibyl,
This was a very timely and powerful post. The momentum of life can violently swing in many different directions. The ones that cause us the most grief are the one we need to learn how to spend less time in. So, when I get frustrated and overwhelmed I need to do something quickly that will allow me to feel happy and productive. When I get tired and grouchy I need to do something ….after I get up from my nap ….because that is the only thing that can help me in that situation. (Please avoid me if I am tired and grouchy. As a matter of fact bring me food.)
This was a great post with practical tips to be able to change the flow of your day into something you control. Thanks!
All it takes is some food … that is an easy fix
Thanks so much for the comment and I totally agree that when you notice the “bad” mood coming on, one of the best things you can do is to do something that allows you to feel happy and productive. There is nothing better than getting that positive energy flowing.
hello sibyl
how are you?
i faced a brick wall last week and i later realised that things werent as bad as i thought they would be when i crossed over to the other side of success. at times we cant help it because we are human and thats were the reality check comes in. it’s also important we stay in control because other things of good value tend to suffer i.e sleep, health, work, eating habits….
echoing the words of john sherry, this thing too shall pass.
finally i think your last sentence is the real deal ‘live today better than yesterday’
thanks for sharing this
take care of yourself and enjoy the rest of the day
Hey Ayo: Thanks so much for the comment and stopping by. I think that having those reality checks anytime you notice yourself getting worked up is so important. It is just too easy for us to let crazy things run through out minds, but once we have a reality check we can usually put things into perspective. So glad that you like my new last line for the posts. I always appreciate the feedback.
It’s hard but you’re completely right. It takes practice to master our emotions and not let little things mess with our mood.. I’m still working on it to be honest.
Henway: I think the most important thing is to commit to the practice. Once you do that and continually try to work at it, you can be assured that you will be always be processing things in the best manner possible. Thanks so much for the comment.
Wow! How did you know about my day today?! Your tips were very reassuring because that is pretty much how I handle things when they get crazy. Breathe! Adjust my perspective. Let it go. I felt good reading your post because it validates my own practices. Merci.
Hey Galen: So glad that you liked the post. Your practice definitely sounds like the right one. I think the most important thing is to have a good process that you can always put to use anytime you notice a disturbance. Thanks for dropping by and thanks for the comment.
Hi Sibyl,
This was just what I needed to read. I’ve had one of those days where I felt a bit out of sorts and lacked motivation. Reading your great tips was very inspiring. Thank you – you hit the spot!
Angela: I am so glad. That has definitely happened to me from time to time and there is nothing better than having the thoughts you need to have brought top of mind. Glad this post was able to deliver on that for you
Thanks for the tips! These are some “sure ways” to go from negative to positive. I completely agree. I need to do this more.
Lynne
Thanks Lynn for the comment. So glad that you liked the post and the suggestions for turning around your day.
Anytime I feel down and out. I take a moment and think about folks who have it worse than I do the minute they get out of bed. This link is a particularly inspiring story. Sometimes, a story like this can make me feel inadequate, but that’s not how to look at it. It’s suppose to show me how, I can MAKE myself succeed. I just wanted to share this story with all of you.
Thanks Jasmine for the comment and sharing the story. I really appreciate it
Yes! Life and its up and down cycles…and it is certainly easy to ride the wave when your on the up side of it. But when I am on the other side. I have been trying to (along with staying positive) stay balanced. Balanced in all aspects (physical, mental and spiritual) and to state “Peace be still”. Staying balanced has allowed me not to sway too much and to just stay focused so that I continue to stay on that higher frequency and universal flow. Thank you for this great article…
Thanks Kenya for the comment and stopping by. I think that is such a great point you make about staying balanced. That really is so important and will help you maintain the best frame of mind to manage through whatever comes your way. Thanks so much for the comment again.
Hi Sibyl,
Life is full of ups and downs. Good and bad, day and night, the seasons, life is essentially about cycles. Since we can only influence things in life to a certain degree, how we perceive that which happens to us is important in helping us to cope and manage life and its challenges.
I enjoyed reading your tips on gaining the right perspective and mindset to manage unexpected changes. What stood out for me is how you mentioned that we should not focus on how bad we feel or wallow in our own misery. I feel it helps to remember that everything passes because life is about cycles. After dark times will surely come good times as surely as day follows night. Admittedly, we have to put in the effort to shape events as best as we can as well. Again having the right mindset here helps.
Thank you for showing us how to live today better than yesterday!
Irving the Vizier
Hey Irving: What you said is so right on point. Life is all about cycles and I think the key is to recognize that and know that everything happens for a reason. It is easy to get caught in the trap of being down and negative about what comes your way, but when you realize that it is all the natural cycle of life and there are lessons within every situation, it is much easier to manage through. Thanks so much for the comment.
Hi Sibyl!
You sure have been busy…same with me!
Another related post last summer, or so offered this simple tool to confront and deal with an overload of troublesome obstacles…
When all seems to be going out of control take each obstacle before you as it comes…relax…take some deep breaths… and say:
“Oh this”.
The process is to minimize and focus rationally…to be able to accept the situation for what it ‘really’ is. Some situations we may be able to alter for the better, and the natural tuff situations of life that we cannot alter, can at least be accepted with less stress.
Oh this…
Hey Rand: Yes, busy is somewhat of an understatement
but it is all good. Loved your comment … “oh this”. I think that is a great approach and you are so right that it is all about relaxing and getting your mind right. Thanks for the comment.
Hi Sibyl,
Ran into you on Debbie’s site! So, here I am again. What you say rings very true. We often think our problems dwarf everyone else’s and life is spinning out of control.
With a bit of time, we see the problem wasn’t that big or horrible. I swear it’s part of our weird school training, which does not bring out the best in folks given what I see all over the Internet. Sometimes if my perspective seems skewed I go on-line and see what folks who really have problems have to deal with. It helps me reframe the situation.
Thanks! G.
Giulietta: Thanks for dropping by and so glad you came by way of Debbie
I think what you said is so true … sometimes we just need to put things into perspective. Once we do, we realize that things aren’t nearly as bad as they could be. It is all about having the right perspective. Thanks so much for the comment.
Dear Sibly,
I always visit your blog and I realize that after reading any your posts, I feel more pleasant.Thanks for your useful sharing.Nothing is impossible if we try and try
> It is easy to ride the wave when it is the moving the direction you want.
True.
One of my favorite posters I saw early on was a picture of a baby chick with the phrase, “It’s easy to be an angel when nobody ruffles your feathers.”
Hey Sibyl,
I’ve visited your blog a while ago, and I stumbled upon it again, which I have now added to a list of blogs to frequent.
It’s true that most of what we exert to the outside comes from our thoughts with in. If you’re positive more often than not, then you will attract the same energy … and vise versa.
Well I am glad to have you back and am happy that you stumbled upon it again
Thanks for adding it to your list of blogs to frequent. It really means a lot to hear that. I am in total agreement with what you said and it really drives home the point that we should pay more attention to the inside. Thanks again for the comment.
Great post.Thanks for your sharing.It’s not easy to turn our day from bad to great but if we try,we can get it.Have a nice day
Hey Haley. Thanks for the comment. I agree with you that it is all about putting forth the right effort. Hope you have a nice day too.
Sybil,
Thank you I have been have been having things a little rough here lately. Life just has not been going my way so reading stuff like this really reminds me to keep my head up I am in control of my own destiny I am the only one that can change my life.
Valerie: I am so glad that was your takeaway message. It is so true. Life is going to always throw us challenges and obstacles from time to time. The key is to not get all caught up and let them emotionally weigh us down and to realize that we are meant to overcome them and get stronger in the process. It is all about living and learning and even though some of the lessons may feel that they are knocking us off our feet, they are actually helping us learn to run.