June 7, 2021

How Should I Prepare for the Unexpected?

It’s an unfortunate situation that we face from time-to-time, something unexpectedly happens that has a negative impact on your life.  How should one prepare for handling these difficult and unexpected (but inevitable) situations?   What tools should we have in our “toolbox” to help us handle these “curves in the road” that come up from time to time?  As we develop these skills and make ourselves prepared for the events, we can, at least, handle these situations with more confidence.

Seek Support

You don’t have to it alone.  Seek out the help of those around you and closest to you, including family, friends, and trusted professionals.  People will surprise you about how understanding and helpful they can be.  They are also great at helping you put the event in perspective.

See Difficulties or Problems as Temporary

Most problems are temporary, so look at the longer-term outcomes and scenarios that have you on the other side of the current situation.  There will be problems now and possibly along the way, but if you can see the resolution of these difficulties leading you to a better future, you can better deal with the challenges and figuring out how to turn the current situation around.

Embrace Change

Change is hard, but changes occur every day.  Sometimes goals cannot be met, but sometimes it is the journey that helps us learn more than actually achieving the goal that was set.  Accepting situations that cannot be changed allows you to focus on those things that you can change, and also helps us become more flexible to take the cues from around us that help us grow.

Set Realistic Goals

Set goals that can be achieved and take small steps regularly to help accomplish your goal.  Try to take one step every day toward one of your goals.  Sometimes we set a goal for a longer period of time that makes the end seem too far away and/or difficult to achieve.  Consider breaking a longer-term goal into smaller, shorter term goals that help you on your path to the longer-term goal.

Take Action

Wishing and dreaming do not get you past your problems or toward your goals.  You need to take action to get past your problems and difficulties to achieve results.  When we take control of our own challenges, it is easier to be resilient and move forward.

Be Flexible

Compromise on your path to solving a problem.  Detours can still get us to our goals.

Seek Self-Discovery

Can you learn something about yourself as you are working out a problem?  Tragedies and losses can teach us personal lessons, despite their pain.

Be Grateful

Look at yourself and be grateful for your strengths.  Be grateful for those who help you in facing your difficulties.  Tough times allow us to reflect on where we are, what we have already achieved, and the people who are most important to us.  This can help us focus on what is most important to us and refocus on our long-term goals and objectives.

Keep Perspective

Yes, events can be nearly overwhelming, but they will end. A long-term view will help you keep things in perspective.

Take Care of Yourself

Taking care of yourself gives you the strength and energy to face difficult issues.  Your participation in enjoyable activities allows you to then focus yourself on problems.

Resources
Forbes
Success.com
Zurich Insurance Company

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