Surviving Tough Times
Words by Victoria Lyee (pen name)
Published in Total Fitness Magazine July 2012 issue
Whenever people find themselves in a tough situation, they either deal with the problem in an outwardly or inwardly manner. Some people choose to look ahead, focus on the big picture, and react in an unemotional way that enables them to swim through tough times while keeping major depression issues at bay. On the other hand, there are people who delve deep and try to zero in on what they need to become to get past the problem.
People handle problems either logically or emotionally. Whatever style works best for you, there are some tips on how to survive tough times and come out the other end better than ever.
Keep Worry at Bay
Easier said than done, I know. For a race that is born with the innate ability to worry, keeping worry at bay is a true Herculean task. But think about this for a second: does worrying change anything in your situation? It just eats the energy you need to catapult yourself out of the situation. People have different ways on how to stop worrying, here’s a personal favorite: I write down all my worries on a piece of paper and create a commandment that helps me deal with each one. I tape the commandments list on my dresser and read it each morning.
Have a Plan
Even the people who “go with the flow” have some sort of plan that works for them. If you’re walking into a battlefield, having a weapon and enough ammunition is not enough to make it to the other side safe and unscathed. You need to have a battle plan, a strategy. When faced with a difficult problem, sit down, and try to think of a plan that you can use. At first, your plan may not necessarily “solve” the problem, but it can definitely help you “deal” with it. As you go along, you can always tweak your strategy until it becomes second nature to you.
Perceive a Major Life Lesson
Every time people go through harsh times, they always gain a new lesson in the end. Sometimes, it takes longer for a person to realize what lesson the world is teaching. Hold on to the secret that there’s always a reason for everything.
Celebrate Small Victories
When you’re still in the thick of things, your small victories hardly feel like a victory at all. But keep in mind that these small victories are the stepping stones that will lead you towards the light. Someday, you will look back at these small victories and realize just how crucial they are. So celebrate your small victories today and toast to yourself for your efforts.
Be Grateful
They say that the people who stay with you through the tough times are your real, life-long friends. So even when things feel like they won’t get better any time soon, don’t forget to show your gratitude to the people who pat your back and offer a shoulder to cry on whether you actually need it or not.
Persevere
Hard times reveal your true character—are you a born loser or a survivor? What type of person do you want to be? The road to getting better consists of ups and downs, twists and turns—all of which could make you feel battered and beaten and ready to give up the fight. Don’t raise the white flag yet. Keep in mind that every single day that passes is already a battle won.
Have Faith. Be Passionate.
When reason fails, faith begins. It is through faith that people are able to get past the worst of situations. It is through faith that mankind perseveres. And it is faith that we hold onto when we see nothing else. But just like a boat, you need a paddle to reach your destination. And this paddle is called passion. It is not enough that you just believe in something, you need to live it. A man’s passion gives him the energy to live out his faith.
Seek Motivation
When you’re depressed, there’s no use reading all the news about war, death, and economic crisis unless you really feel the need to stayed informed. Look for reading materials that help motivate you to keep getting better each day. Instead of listening to depressing songs, download eBooks about self-motivation and success stories. Motivation is a very subjective thing. If reading horoscopes help kick start your day, then go for it.
Stay Healthy
People often forget the real value of a healthy mind, body, and spirit while going through tough times. Keep in mind that no matter how busy or crazy circumstances get, you have a personal responsibility for you physical, mental, and emotional health. Just because you’re stuck in a bad situation doesn’t mean you can totally ignore the things that you have total control over.
Published in Total Fitness Magazine July 2012 issue
“What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate.” – Donald Trump
Whenever people find themselves in a tough situation, they either deal with the problem in an outwardly or inwardly manner. Some people choose to look ahead, focus on the big picture, and react in an unemotional way that enables them to swim through tough times while keeping major depression issues at bay. On the other hand, there are people who delve deep and try to zero in on what they need to become to get past the problem.
People handle problems either logically or emotionally. Whatever style works best for you, there are some tips on how to survive tough times and come out the other end better than ever.
Keep Worry at Bay
Easier said than done, I know. For a race that is born with the innate ability to worry, keeping worry at bay is a true Herculean task. But think about this for a second: does worrying change anything in your situation? It just eats the energy you need to catapult yourself out of the situation. People have different ways on how to stop worrying, here’s a personal favorite: I write down all my worries on a piece of paper and create a commandment that helps me deal with each one. I tape the commandments list on my dresser and read it each morning.
Have a Plan
Even the people who “go with the flow” have some sort of plan that works for them. If you’re walking into a battlefield, having a weapon and enough ammunition is not enough to make it to the other side safe and unscathed. You need to have a battle plan, a strategy. When faced with a difficult problem, sit down, and try to think of a plan that you can use. At first, your plan may not necessarily “solve” the problem, but it can definitely help you “deal” with it. As you go along, you can always tweak your strategy until it becomes second nature to you.
Perceive a Major Life Lesson
Every time people go through harsh times, they always gain a new lesson in the end. Sometimes, it takes longer for a person to realize what lesson the world is teaching. Hold on to the secret that there’s always a reason for everything.
Celebrate Small Victories
When you’re still in the thick of things, your small victories hardly feel like a victory at all. But keep in mind that these small victories are the stepping stones that will lead you towards the light. Someday, you will look back at these small victories and realize just how crucial they are. So celebrate your small victories today and toast to yourself for your efforts.
Be Grateful
They say that the people who stay with you through the tough times are your real, life-long friends. So even when things feel like they won’t get better any time soon, don’t forget to show your gratitude to the people who pat your back and offer a shoulder to cry on whether you actually need it or not.
Persevere
Hard times reveal your true character—are you a born loser or a survivor? What type of person do you want to be? The road to getting better consists of ups and downs, twists and turns—all of which could make you feel battered and beaten and ready to give up the fight. Don’t raise the white flag yet. Keep in mind that every single day that passes is already a battle won.
Have Faith. Be Passionate.
When reason fails, faith begins. It is through faith that people are able to get past the worst of situations. It is through faith that mankind perseveres. And it is faith that we hold onto when we see nothing else. But just like a boat, you need a paddle to reach your destination. And this paddle is called passion. It is not enough that you just believe in something, you need to live it. A man’s passion gives him the energy to live out his faith.
Seek Motivation
When you’re depressed, there’s no use reading all the news about war, death, and economic crisis unless you really feel the need to stayed informed. Look for reading materials that help motivate you to keep getting better each day. Instead of listening to depressing songs, download eBooks about self-motivation and success stories. Motivation is a very subjective thing. If reading horoscopes help kick start your day, then go for it.
Stay Healthy
People often forget the real value of a healthy mind, body, and spirit while going through tough times. Keep in mind that no matter how busy or crazy circumstances get, you have a personal responsibility for you physical, mental, and emotional health. Just because you’re stuck in a bad situation doesn’t mean you can totally ignore the things that you have total control over.
