Navigating Challenging Seasons

A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose—a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve.

John C. Maxwell

So how do we navigate challenging seasons? Here are a few simple suggestions to consider today.

1. Acceptance: Remember, we can’t often change the circumstance. So accepting the facts is crucial to moving forward.
2. Focus: Worrying about things we can’t control adds unnecessary stress. Focus on the things you can control.
3. Aid: Reach out for help. Sometimes, talking through it with a colleague, a coach, or a friend can be all we need to take the right next step.
4. Prioritize: Practice self-care. This can be anything from exercise and meditation to getting a massage or going out for a walk. A time to reset and clear your mind.
5. Celebrate: We can often get caught in only wanting to celebrate the big wins. But it's important to remember that all of those small wins add up to the big ones. Celebrate yourself, and celebrate the small wins!
6. Grace: Give yourself the grace not to be operating at "normal capacity" all of the time. Take time and space to feel, grieve, rest, reflect, etc. This looks different based on the type of challenging season you're in. But sometimes, a step back can be the first step.
7. Practice gratitude: Gratitude will change our perspective. And it's scientifically proven to be healthy for our brains. When we focus on what we have versus what we don’t have, we can naturally be more positive about our situation.

It’s not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up.

Vince Lombardi