Why do some people crack under pressure while others strive? It’s all about the way we approach problems. Our problems may differ in nature and severity, but we all have them. Since we can’t escape them, we must forge the right mental attitude to face life’s challenges. Following are four ways to face disappointment.

1- Acknowledge That Problems Form an Integral Part of Life

This may sound cliché, but it’s that simple. Accept that it’s OKAY to have problems. When you consider problems as a curse reserved for unfortunate individuals, you whine and blame. Such an attitude only worsens the situation. You must make peace with setbacks or else you will lose your capacity for joy and your ability to generate solutions for your problems.

2- Know That You Possess the Power to Solve Your Problems

Once you’ve accepted that problem forms an integral part of life, you must remind yourself you have the potential to deal with life’s challenges or you can create them, however insurmountable they may seem. One of the biggest impediments to solving problems is the feeling of helplessness, as described by Dr. Marty Seligman in his New York Times bestseller Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life. How do I know? The simple fact you are reading this article means you are alive. Being alive means you’ve gone and grown through troubles. If you made it then, you can make it now!

3- Analyze Your Problems

Accepting problems and being aware of our power to solve them are only a part of the puzzle. Your beliefs and mindset won’t make problems go away. You must analyze the situation in a detached, non-judgemental manner. Separate the problem of who you are! You may have problems, you are not problematic! You may have failed, you are not a failure!

4- What’s Your Next Action?

You’ve acknowledged that it is okay to have problems; you are aware of your innate powers and have analyzed the situation. That is great! Nothing happens if you don’t know what your next action toward solving that problem is. Get yourself a blank sheet of paper and write what your next action step will be. It doesn’t have to be massive, the littlest action will do. You want to start your diet? Remove that pie from your fridge. Lao Tzu reminds us that a journey of thousand miles begins with a single step. So take the first step…now!

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I don’t know you or what you went through. I’m not belittling your pain. But I know you have what it takes to overcome life’s challenges.