Life naturally moves forward, and it’s logical that the more you are exposed to change and transition, the more you observe the patterns in your life. These patterns can include how you manage change, and whether or not you can successfully cope with and navigate necessary transitions—both those you initiate and those that just come about on their own…right?
By the time you are a young adult, you’ve experienced enough to perhaps know some fundamental things about yourself: what you like and what you don’t like, what you excel at and what you have no interest in, what your special talents and gifts are, what really works for you, and what falls short of your reasonable expectations. So why does it feel sometimes you don’t have a clue?
Preparation is essential. You have to know yourself well enough to know what you want, and what you realistically can do. But more importantly, you should have some idea—and ideally some plans—about how to accomplish that. It is key for you to be able to identify what YOU want, as opposed to what others want for you.
Whatever happens to you is ultimately up to you. Be aware if you are making excuses and inventing reasons why life is too difficult for you to navigate through and/or manage on your own. Don’t assume that what seems comfortable and familiar is what is best for you.
Once prepared and having these insights, you need to put your thoughts and feelings into motion. Action has the power to transform your personal, intimate, inner world into a tangible, recognizable process in your outer world. Consider all of the possibilities and then choose one, and pursue it to its conclusion.
So what happens when life gets in the way of your plans and you’re forced to change course? The response to change of this kind depends your resilience: the ability to regain or maintain a positive outlook and persevere in the face of challenge and adversity. There is a constant need to recognize that change is essential for living a fruitful life. Change creates possibility.
Building Resilience so that you are prepared for life’s challenges can be obtained in three ways:
a) Smile! It makes you happier, and feeling happier makes you more positive, which leads to increased resilience.
b) Force yourself to see the current situation from a different vantage point, a more positive vantage point.
c) Ask yourself what three things you can do to improve your circumstances and then start to do them.
This preparation will begin to strengthen your resilience muscle and PREPARE you for whatever life presents. This is a crucial way to express your individuality and present a unique and fresh perspective.