👋 Greetings everyone, hope you’re off to a great start to the week!
What are those unexpected things in life that happen, make you feel unprepared and not in control? I want to chat about this and how we can maneuver through with less stress and more control!
First, in case you haven’t got around to my last post, Healthy Work + Healthy Life = Possible, you should check it out. It’s so important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and yet because we’re so busy with work and life it is challenging. Hope it encourages you!
Unexpected Things 🤦
We had a snow storm this past weekend… Yes, in almost the end of March! Considering we’ve had quite a mild and snowless winter, if this keeps up, we may have more snow ❄️ on Easter than we did on Christmas!
It’s not the biggest inconvenience, however, it does have its challenges with the daily weather changes. It could be 15-18 degrees Celsius in the afternoon and the next morning it’s -5. It’s not uncommon to feel symptoms of a runny nose, sore throat, sinus issues, tiredness on and off. Also, how does one dress?
In relation to work, we can often face the unexpected such as technical issues, especially in business, this can be scary. Having an online business, technical issues and putting a stop on everything until we can get the issues fixed. 😤
This can cause a lot of stress, fear, frustration, and a sense of losing all control! I’ve been there many times and pretty sure you have as well. You may even know better than me how to cope with it and move forward, but we all learn at a different pace.
Maneuvering Through It ⇔
No matter what unexpected events or circumstances we face, they’ll have an impact on us in some way. Sometimes it’s a good unexpected, such as a surprise visit from a ❤️ loved one which would impact us in a positive way. Other times it’s something that has a more negative impact on us.
In the more negative events which generate stress, fear, frustration, and a sense of losing all control, how do we deal with this? If you have your method already figured out as what works best for you, That’s great! I want to share what I’m finding I need to do.
Those times I’m more impacted by unexpected negative situations, such as technical issues in my business, I find it leads back to my mind. The reason I get frustrated, fearful, stressed out and feel out of control is because of the thoughts I’m thinking. 🤔
If I’m thinking “everything is lost or falling apart”, I’m going to feel the frustration and anxiety about losing everything I worked for and have to start over. However, if I think “this sucks, but I want to learn from this experience and try to save what I can”. This would generate a more positive mindset, a more solution focused mindset.
Which do you think would be the best option here? It’s pretty simple, not always easy, but simple.
Solution Focused 👍
Simply put there are two ways to go about this. One is to give in to what we’re used to, a pattern of getting upset and thinking those limiting fearful thoughts. The second is to take a breath, pause and choose some better thoughts about the issue.
The first will be frustrating and everyone around us who feels our energy is impacted by it, family, friends, even pets. It’ll take longer to figure things out because we aren’t in our right or productive mind. It turns out to be a lose – lose approach… everyone loses. 😕
The latter is best but not always the easiest. WHY? Because in life we form habits and patterns of doing things, handling situations. Whatever those habits and patterns are becomes our easy go to because we have a habit of doing this often. If we have some bad habits of responding to unexpected situations it will be harder to function in a more positive way. Harder but not impossible!
A Good Approach to Consider 🧘
That’s why I mentioned earlier, when something unexpected happens, pause, take a breath, and choose your response. When we act out instantly we can often choose the response tied to anger/frustration, unless you already have a more positive habit such as laughing at the issue.
For those of us not quite there with laughing at it yet, we need to form that habit and it takes time. Every time something unexpected happens we should pause, take a breath and tell ourselves, “This is going to work out for my good, let’s learn what I need from this”. 🤯
If we try hard to do this every time, it’ll get easier with each time you do this and get closer to becoming a habit.
Once it’s a habit then even if you respond to unexpected situations immediately, you will likely be responding with the new positive habit.
Let’s say if you formed a habit of pausing, taking a breath and laughing about it as you say, “This is going to work out for my good, let’s learn what we need from this”, it’ll be your reaction all the time.
Nobody’s Perfect 🤪
In this area I’m a work in progress and if we’re all honest with ourselves there is always room for improvement! No one will ever be perfect at it, but if we approach this as a discipline to continually work on, we can always improve.
Practice doesn’t make us perfect, practice makes us better. As we continue practicing, we continue to be better… always room to improve!
Let’s improve together!
Let’s chat, I invite you to leave a comment and let me know how you handle unexpected situations, if you have any feedback or questions or just want to share your experience!
Please choose a way to connect with me below 👇
Talk Soon,
Denny
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Really great advice on focusing on the positives in a situation and looking at what can be learnt from the situation and how learning from it is working out for my good. Life isn’t happening to us, it’s happening for us.
Thank you for sharing this important reminder which is so important for our daily mental health.
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for sharing and for your encouragement!
I like what you said “Life isn’t happening to us, it’s happening for us.”
That’s a great perspective!
Onwards and forward to better mental health!
Denny
Hi, Denny! Good thought! When I start to panic, I need to change my thoughts. Just step back, breathe, and think, how can I rethink this? That comes in handy at the moment. I’m feeling behind. I’ll step back, breathe, and see what I get done tonight. I’ll reevaluate in the morning when my mind is fresh.
Good stuff! Thank you for the perspective!
Nakina Lawson recently posted…Using YouTube As an Affiliate Marketing Traffic Source
Hi Nakina,
Thanks so much for sharing and I’m so happy this post could help you!
That pause, breath and altering a single thought I believe is very effective.
If we can create a break/gap between the event and the reaction it’s like defusing the cycle.
It’s like having a colleague beside you, when something happens to you, they put there hand on your shoulder and say “It will work out”.
It prevents us from over reacting. We can do that to ourselves 🙂
One of the thoughts/affirmations I use for myself is “All is well, everything is working out for my highest good”
Thanks again for your comment 🙂
Denny
This is so good! While we can’t predict the unexpected, we can predict that the unexpected will happen! I appreciate your practical advice especially”…when something unexpected happens, pause, take a breath, and choose your response.” This is such a great starting point as we evaluate the situation.
Hi Ernie,
Thanks for your encouragement and feedback 🙂
I am so happy that this helps you! It can be such a battle in our mind to get where we want to be.
It’s a good way to start and It comes down to either we take action on our mindset or our inaction will subject us to defeat!
All the best Ernie!
Denny
I like to step back, breathe in and out through my heart and imagine in a state of gratitude the future that is yet to be fulfilled. Then keep on keeping on.
HI Kate,
Thanks for your feedback and encouragement 🙂
SO happy you have a method in place to keep you positive and moving ahead!
I look forward to getting better at it too.
Wish you continued success!
Denny
Such great advice! How we choose to respond to things is so important; perception is everything, and taking our time to react versus letting our emotions take over is very important and takes hard work – we are after all human. Yoga and breathing has helped me so much to get into the right mindset and when unexpected things pop up, it’s important to breath, and to look at things with the mindset of how can I solve this, instead of thinking I can’t, or feeling overwhelmed, thinking of things from the perspective how can I fix this or make this happen does wonders.
Hi Alison,
Thanks for your sharing your feedback and for your encouragement!
It’s awesome you have your method in place!
It comes down to either we take action on our mindset or our inaction will subject us to defeat!
I’d rather win and sounds like you would also 🙂
Denny
Awesome post, Denny. I have always been someone who can take a breath and immediately look to the lesson when something happens that is out of our control. I learned this from my dad because he never “freaked out” over something that couldn’t be avoided. My mom, on the other hand, was the opposite. I’m happy I didn’t learn her approach to life’s unforeseen challenges. Life will always throw a curve ball at you for one reason or another. It’s how you deal with that curve ball that will ultimately shape your life and your circumstances. My dad used to say that everything works out for a reason. We may not know why, but someday it will make sense. I am thankful for the many life lessons that he taught me and feel his strength even now when life gives you little and big surprises that require patience and positivity to get through them.
Hi Vanessa,
Your dad was a very wise man and you are following in his foot steps, good for you!!
Your dad’s words, everything works out for a reason, is awesome!
I started telling myself, all is well and everything works out for highest good!
No matter what happens or as you mentioned, someday it will make sense.
Thanks for sharing!
Denny
Hi Denny,
I try to do this more now that it’s just me taking care of my kids. There are times that things get tough, and I have to stop and breath for a moment to gather my thoughts. Then in a more calm realm I can go on with my day and take care of whatever comes my way. This is a good lesson that everyone should take. It makes things a lot easier to deal with. Thank you for your post. Take care…
Meredith
Meredith Moore recently posted…Optimizing Your Business For Success
Hi Meredith,
Thanks for sharing! Definitely time get tough, especially when managing kids is required.
I’m glad you take time to stop and gather yourself!
So happy you enjoyed the post!
Denny
Hi Denny,
As you say, simple but not easy.
Health/exercise feels like it’s the first to go but when I do, I feel anything is possible.
Yes, we know that life happens when we least expect it so we do need a routine/ritual in place when it throws us a curve.
Love the solution focus, we can spend so much time complaining while we could take that time to reflect on how we respond.
But as you say we have habits that we may not even be mindful of but each time it does get easier.
I noticed that when I started blogging I felt it was difficult but now it’s become something that I do weekly… So I’m forming a habit of writing a post each week. So yes
practice makes us better and we grow as we practice. Simple. But not easy!
Hi Eleanor,
Thanks so much for sharing!
It’s great that you’re working on building the habits you need 🙂
It’s interesting how health and exercise tends to be first to go for so many, including me.
We’re a work in progress 🙂 Thank God every day is a chance to start new if needed!
All the best as you continue!
Denny
Denny,
When something unexpected comes my way, I find it helpful to pause and give it some thought before responding. Rushing into reactions can sometimes lead to a spiral of negative thoughts. I believe it’s important to maintain a positive outlook and see each experience as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Sherri
Sherri Pulcino recently posted…Rear-View Mirror.
HI Sherri,
Thanks for sharing!
It sounds like you have a great plan and process for handling the unexpected 🙂
To maintaining a positive outlook with each experience and opportunity!
Denny
Denny, Thank you for sharing your reflections on navigating unexpected challenges in life. Your honesty about the stress and frustration that can arise from such situations resonates deeply. Your practical advice on shifting mindset and choosing positive responses is invaluable. It’s refreshing to see a focus on personal growth and developing healthier habits in handling unexpected events. I appreciate the reminder to pause, take a breath, and consciously choose our reactions. Indeed, improvement is a continual journey, and your insights serve as a motivating guide. Let’s embrace the discipline of responding with positivity and resilience together! Thanks, Atif
Atif Perwiz recently posted…Rich Baba, Poor Baba – sounds familiar!
Hi Atif,
Thank you kindly for you comment and encouragement!
Personal growth and healthier habits are always worth developing!
Glad that you’re also and advocate of this principal and happy you enjoyed the post!
As you said, let’s embrace the discipline of responding with positivity and resilience together!
Denny
Denny,
Life is unpredictability throws us curveballs, testing our resilience and adaptability. Whether it’s a surprising snowstorm in spring or technical hiccups in our work, these unexpected hurdles can leave us feeling overwhelmed. Yet, amid chaos, there lies an opportunity for us all to growth. By reframing our mindset and embracing a solution-oriented approach, we can transform setbacks into stepping stones .As we embark on this journey of navigating life’s twists and turns, may we emerging stronger and more prepared.
No matter what life throughs at you, you can overcome them.
I believe in you.
CJ
Hi CJ,
Well said, thank you for your comment and encouragement!
You have a strong mindset and a strength to win.
Here’s to continued growth and wins!
Denny