Looking back over the last few years how many challenges have you weathered, overcome, beaten or relished? Or do you feel burnt out, overwhelmed and stressed by them? The language we use in relation to that word challenge is very revealing. Do we avoid challenges at all costs and in so doing sentence ourselves to a hum-drum existence?

I heard someone say the other day that modern life is conditioning us to believe everything has to be easy. And it’s true that nowadays there’s a product or service that we can buy or use to take away the hassle of nearly every challenge.

Yet we thrive and grow on challenge. As a small child you faced many setbacks and problems like learning how to walk and talk. Big challenges when you were so young. Yet you did it. Perhaps you succeeded because you didn’t regard it as a problem more as something you had to do. In addition because your parents knew you’d struggle they encouraged you. Then you got the hang of it and walked and talked.

Why don’t we use that model of learning now when faced with new tasks, problems or skills to learn?

So today when you’re faced with an uncomfortable feeling about doing something, why not just ask yourself where you’re at with it in terms of learning. You could ask yourself whether you need some more practice, information or encouragement. You can give these resources to yourself.

Lighten Up
Perhaps you just need to lighten up about it generally. It’s easy to get lost in our head listening to our own critical self-talk. So try a little positive distraction; it can produce wonders.

For instance, something as simple and physical as breathing a little more deeply and slowly will ground you into the here and now. Alternatively, adjust your posture. Slumping at your desk somehow disengages you from the present. Try it, whatever your position is now, adjust it until you naturally feel a bit taller through the spine and can feel your seat bones on the chair.

This is just one way to wake yourself up and turn off the noise inside your head. There are lots more ways and we can cover these in future blogs.

Reconnect to Your Creativity
The point I want to make is that you can begin to take on challenges as something to be relished and played with. The creative part of you that loves to solve problems will come on stream if you get out of its way. Just think how great you’ll feel when you look back at all the challenges you’ve overcome.