When it comes to achieving our goals, we often get bogged down by external factors that seem to be outside of our control. Whether it's a bad boss, bad weather, a difficult colleague, or a global pandemic, it's easy to fall into a negative mindset and believe that we can't succeed under less-than-ideal conditions. But the truth is, focusing on what we can control is the key to achieving success in any situation.
As Tom Bilyeu, the entrepreneur and co-founder of Quest Nutrition, says, "you can't always control what happens to you, but you can always control how you respond to it." Here are three ways that a positive outlook and reframing can turn perceived negative conditions into a positive experience:
Focus on the opportunity: When faced with a challenge, it's easy to focus on the negatives and feel like everything is working against us. But what if we flipped that perspective and saw it as an opportunity? Maybe a difficult boss is a chance to practice assertiveness and communication skills, or a global pandemic is an opportunity to pivot and adapt our business strategies. By focusing on the opportunity rather than the obstacle, we can turn a negative situation into a positive one.
Find the lesson: Every challenge presents an opportunity to learn and grow. Instead of getting bogged down by frustration or disappointment, take a step back and look for the lesson. Maybe a failed project taught you the importance of clear communication, or a difficult colleague taught you the value of patience and empathy. By reframing the situation as a learning experience, we can turn what feels like a setback into a stepping stone towards success.
Control the controllable: Finally, it's important to focus on what we can control rather than what we can't. While we can't control a global pandemic or a difficult boss, we can control our response to those situations. By focusing on what we can control - our thoughts, emotions, and actions - we can take charge of our lives and achieve our goals despite the external circumstances. This means practicing self-care, setting clear boundaries, and taking proactive steps towards our goals.
In the end, success is not about having ideal conditions, but about how we respond to the conditions we're given. By focusing on what we can control, finding the opportunity and lesson in every challenge, and taking charge of our thoughts and actions, we can turn any negative situation into a positive experience."
So, let's start today and focus on what we can control to achieve our goals and live our best lives.
By the way, I did get to fly, despite the snow / less than ideal weather conditions, and judging by the footage it was actually a pretty nice day in the burbs!
