Good To GreatSample

Turn the Table Around

Journey to success is never easy. Hurdles, bumps and thorns are inevitable. We will encounter problems; a new crisis arises there, a complication shoots up here, unexpected issues take place among team members leading us to a frustrated state. It looks as if we are surrounded by more nuisance than before the resolution. What used to be a comfortable life before resolutions has now turned into a complicated one. Our focus now moves from our actual goal to dealing with the present problems. The objective becomes obscure and we are fending off troubles and trying to get out as quickly as possible. It is exactly there, we lose the battle. But that’s not what we want, is it?

Problem – Turn the Table Around

Since the problems are predictable, we must learn the art of facing them. I suggest that we learn to reframe our response-ability in order to increase our achieve-ability. Viktor Frankl was one among the millions of Jews, who had to endure the horrors of the Holocaust. Nazis took everything away from them; even their names, and gave them numbers. Years after this horrific experience he writes, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.” The most important choice that you make every day is your attitude. Your perspective of the problem decides whether or not you will be a victor. (Phil. 1:12-15)

In order to turn the table around as we encounter problems, we must learn two truths. These truths will help us develop a new perspective of our problems, and help us to look at them as opportunities instead of as problems. The first truth is, adversity is often the seedbed of opportunity. Bad situations have a tendency to bring the best out of us (Phil.1:16-18). We get more creative, innovative and wise when we are thrown against a wall. Adversity can produce an increased capacity in us to become a better person. We all want each day to be a good day. But if all the days are good days, there would be no ‘good days’ per se. Bad days help us to appreciate good days. The second truth is, getting what we wish for can result in unintended and undesirable consequences. A sociologist called Robert Merton calls this, the law of Unintended consequences. Do you remember the Greek mythological story, The Midas Touch? Sometimes when things go wrong, be thankful because it might turn out be a blessing in disguise. These problems probably will save us from unintended consequences. (Courtesy - In a pit with a Lion on a snowy day)

Once we understand these truths and reframe our perspective of the problem, living one day at a time becomes easy. We may not be able to face all the days and years together, but we can surely face one day at a time. My challenge for you is to learn to live one day at a time. It is then, failure won’t seem like a problem, hurdles are easier to cross, resolutions can be renewed, fears can be faced, giants can be forced to fall and adventurous living can be a pleasure. Always remember the words of the Psalmist, “those who look to Him will never be put to shame.” (Ps.34:5)

“Here’s what I have learned from personal experience: Sickness helps us appreciate health. Failure helps us appreciate success. Debt helps us appreciate wealth. And tough times help us appreciate the good times. That’s just the way life is. I’ve also learned that our worst days can become our best days.”- Mark Batterson