Allowing problems to snowball? Why not transform them into opportunities.
We all encounter obstacles in our lives. What we choose to name these challenges is reflective upon our mindset and behaviors.
Some people may choose to call them “obstacles.” Other names we may refer to them as; challenges, issues, and the unanimous label, problems.
What if we were able to think of things that don’t go our way as “opportunities?”
I would like to share a set of personal circumstances that one could view as bad luck, or “problems” but from another angle, opportunities.
First, I would like to mention that I am not perfect. I have flaws. I have mental behaviors that I would like to improve for better interaction and functionality in life. It is not something to hide from. Does that make me vulnerable? It sure does. However, the only way to help someone is to show you are vulnerable and human just like everyonelse.
Recently my wife and I bought a used camping trailer. We researched what kind of trailer we wanted, what size for our family (2 adults, 2 kids), what make/model, accessories, price range, what campground we wanted to park it at, and of course what to be aware of when purchasing a used camping trailer.
After buyers remorse surfaced and subsided due to the unfamiliarity of beginning a new adventure, we were set to enjoy our trailer.
The first major use of our trailer brought our family (2 adults, 2 children) sleeping in it’s confines with more family members (3 adults, 2 children) which brought the total number of occupants within the trailer to 9 human beings.
The moments turned out to be memorable and gave us an intensified understanding of the many functions on our trailer.
We used the trailer 2 more occasions before year end closing preparation. Our last visit was not so memorable.
The ceiling began to detach from the bulkhead area in one section and after getting some feedback from a knowledgeable campground manager, discovered we had a leak. My heart plummeted to the floor. That was one “problem” we wanted to avoid.
We reluctantly climbed onto the roof of the trailer to try and discover the cause of the leak. Upon our dismay the roof was very worn and revealed a few other patches from the past.
It was very apparent, we did not take our due diligence before we purchased this trailer.
The reality is the repair will be costly. Our initial reaction was jaded by thoughts about how we may have been tricked into buying a trailer with a leak in the roof. The actual answer is, we can only look at ourselves as the decision makers in this situation.
My mind was dispersing fluctuating thoughts of disappointment. The weekend was pushed aside as a failure.
That weekend I pushed my kids on a tire swing in the campground and witnessed the joy on their faces. I relished in the quiet intimate moments spent with my wife after the kids were asleep at night. How could that be a failure?
On the way home I noticed my car leaking oil. It wasn’t a little, but alot. Had the problem diagnosed. A new oil pan gasket was needed. Very high priority to get repaired.
Upon arriving home, I noticed the tire on our other car was flat. Closer inspection revealed a nail in the tire. That was a high priority to get repaired.
The next day was my third attempt (previous times was too windy and batteries were low) at bringing my kids to the park to fly some drones I got them for their birthday. 2 minutes after flying them, they wouldn’t work. I think I was more disappointed than them.
My daughter proceeded to open her bedroom door to exit the room and it wouldn’t open. The door knob needed to be aggressively ripped out of the door to extract a distraught child out of her room before school.
I could probably keep this story going with more unfortunate events within the past few weeks but I will now make my point and how it may help others.
By allowing these events to persuade my thoughts into failures and problems it began to create a snowball of single minded negative focus.
What opportunities could possibly come out of these “problems?”
- Our friends are in the midst of buying a trailer and we are now presented with the opportunity of passing valuable insight that we learned on our trailer buying experience to them.
- We will still be able to enjoy the trailer we purchased in the future, just at a greater financial obligation. Are our memories and family bond worth that? We believe they are.
- We learned valuable knowledge in the purchase process (after) of the trailer- thoroughly check the roof, document any legalities discussed during the purchase- guaranteed no water leaks, etc. This will be knowledge for us moving forward in life in all areas.
- Things will get fixed when they are a priority- dwelling on a situation is neither productive or accomplishes the end result of fixing the issue.
- Extract the learning from the failure and devising a plan to overcome or move forward from it
When we address problems in the early stages with accountability, openness and personal growth mindset, it allows us to transform them into opportunities. Examine them from the perspective of solving and learning with the focus of moving forward as opposed to standing still and dwelling. This may help in alleviating anxiety and the feeling of being helpless.
I got caught in this negative problem thought mindset and it began to place it’s weight on my shoulders. Once I addressed accountability of the situation, devised and implemented a plan to create an opportunity I was able to breathe a sigh of relief and continue creating more opportunities in life.
“An opportunity is always a challenge that we decided to view from an advantageous perspective.” – Kristin Larsen
Thanks Kristin for a simple point that needs reiterating. I would admit, as much as anyone, that life’s challenges make me feel caught up and lost at times but ultimately, it’s down to me how I view them.
Only recently I was “fired”/let go/replaced by one client as an English teacher and, while I could complain about it, deep down it’s both my mistake for not adjusting my teaching style and an opportunity to show people how to learn from failures and to refocus my energy into the areas that will be the most effective and positive for my future growth.
I’ll keep looking out for opportunities 🙂
Peter, thanks for your comments and sharing your personal experience. I think it’s great how you didn’t take it personal, and by doing so looks like you realized an opportunity that will make you a more effective teacher. Not to say that you are not effective already. 🙂 What a great attitude and I’m sure that is why you are very good at what you do. All the best to you on your future opportunities.
Hey Kristin,
I just wanted to share my gratitude for writing this post. Spot on. Your writing is inspiring and is always a pleasure to read.
As we move into winter, it is easier to find ourselves more unhappy, stressed and aggravated no matter if problems arise or not.
This is a reminder to rewind, reset and move on with our eyes on the prize!
Hi Polina, thank you for your kind words and compliment. Yes, winter can be an aggravating time of year, if we let it. It is always easier to focus on the negatives and as you mentioned, and neglect the positives in life. I believe that is an important point you mentioned in “resetting” our mental attitude in a time of negativity and aggravation. Regaining focus on what we are wanting to do/accomplish and creating the opportunities to do it. Wishing you an enjoyable transition to winter and all the wonderful things it brings. 🙂
Thank you Kristen for this post. I like the idea of the transition of one problem into an opportunity. That reminded me of this TedTalk. http://www.ted.com/talks/tim_harford_how_messy_problems_can_inspire_creativity?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tedspread
Enjoy it! 🙂
Annie, thank you for your feedback and sharing more knowledge on this topic. Very much appreciated. It is something that takes practice but once mastered (which I don’t claim to have done yet) can be life changing.