Weekly newsletter
I. Prompts for motivation
What kinds of challenges are the hardest for you to overcome in your personal or professional life? Are there any ways you could think of now that will help you confront them with better preparation the next time they come around?
Do you know anyone in your life who deals with obstacles in a seemingly positive way? What can you recall in their choices or behavior that allows them to get the type of results they look for?
II. Thoughts for intention
When we face our challenges and navigate our way through them, we increase our capacity for greater resilience and inner fortitude. This allows us to stay sharp, mentally strong, and develop more persistence and courage. As difficult as they can be at times, any tension we encounter can be an opportunity for growth and transformation.
When we practice self-awareness in the face of setbacks and difficulties, we are training ourselves to think positively with time and practice. We are actively strengthening our mental and emotional awareness so that we can come up with alternative ideas and solutions that we’ve never even thought of before. As counterintuitive as they may seem, it is in these moments of hardship that we are capable of accessing our creativity and control in the most impactful way.
III. Ideas for preparation
We face our challenges when we decide not to take things personally and stop making assumptions. In doing so, we retain our clarity and focus by putting our frustrations aside to come up with a plan of action. We do this by staying present and giving our fullest attention to the moment at hand with the self-affirming decision to do our very best. Rather than allowing our discomfort to drive the situation, we think big, refuse to give up, and recall our belief in the worthwhile benefits that come from achieving our purpose.
Sometimes, our greatest enemy that can paralyze us the most is our own mindset. But when we recognize that we’re not alone when it comes to encountering problems, we can eliminate any shame we might feel using our resourcefulness and ask for the help we need. By accepting support from others, we are also accepting the reality of what we are dealing with in an honest way, which can provide us with more confidence in ways we might not even realize.
IV. Quotes for inspiration
“What offers immediate pleasure comes to seem like a distraction, an empty entertainment to help pass the time. Real pleasure comes from overcoming challenges, feeling confidence in your abilities, gaining fluency in skills, and experiencing the power this brings.”
― Robert Greene, Mastery
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
― Martin Luther King, Strength to Love
