Take the Reins

The most interesting thoughts come to me when grocery shopping. Today in produce, I asked myself, "what does one do when facing a challenge or problem?"

It is a natural response to hope that problems will simply disappear. With all the demands we have in daily life and in our professions, who wants to tack on one more dilemma, headache, or crisis? On some level perhaps it's natural to wish that, with the rising sun, everything will be back to normal, better than yesterday, and lingering problems simply gone all together. But is that likely or even a rational way of thinking?

Problems don't magically disappear, despite how desperately we want or need them to. Like a field before becoming a garden, you have to get down and pull out the weeds. And, the longer we avoid challenges the less energy and focus we have to successfully deal with them. After all, not handling an issue consumes more effort than staring it right in the face and delivering it a knock out punch.

No matter the type of issue, pursuing it takes two key ingredients. One is the conscious and active decision to handle it. Muster strength, kick yourself in the balls and decide to make a change. This is 98% of the battle. Second; recognize the benefits of the changes made. Zero problem is better than even just one....that's good math.

Success doesn't just happen and problems don't just go away. We wishfully want them to and are sometimes deluded by a host of illogical excuses. Instead, take the reins and occupy your throne. Don't just sit. No matter the circumstance, you'll be happier for it and better prepared for the next molehill or mountain that blocks the path.