Some More Ways to Deal With Tough Problems

Look for benefits that aren’t obvious; for example there are layoffs in your company and you are given added responsibilities where your skills are limited which puts you in a panic mode. Reframe this as an opportunity to add to your skill set and put on your resume. Talk to your supervisor about additonal training that will make you excel.

Wait a beat which involves you being an observer rather than a participant. Take a step back and just watch. For example: Is a friend ranting at you over something that is not really important? Let her air her grievances and tell yourself that this is probably more about her than about me or sometimes people have a bad day.

Reinterpret motives or intent behind someone’s behavior. Sometimes it’s better to give the other person the benefit of the doubt than to think the worse. For example you sent an important email but a day later you haven’t received a response and you think you are being ignored. It could be that your email went into a spam folder or that the recipient is busy or sick. A simple follow up phone call may resolve it.

Put events into a wider context. Is the problem bothering you today going to matter a week from now or impact your happiness or well being?

Shift your focus to what’s there instead of what’s missing. For example: you’ve met several milestones in a year long plan for achieving better health…but instead of congratulating yourself, you are doing a lot of hand wringing over losing less weight than you wanted. Reframe by celebrating the successes. Then create a plan to reach the last goal.

In my next blog, I will talk about habits that hold you back.