When you look back at your life and search for the moments that define you and helped make you into who you are today…I bet you see the hard parts. Think back to the important parts that shaped you, they probably aren’t the easy, simple decisions.

Try looking at challenges from a different perspective, instead of struggle, see successes.  These hurdles are what we need to forge on, create deeper character, and connect us through experiences.

Now I know, it’s not easy to think this way when you’re right in the middle of a tough spot.  However, training your mind to push through and overcome can be done.

And remember that when you’re in the midst of adversity and hurdles this is a spot to grow. When you are weak allow the Lord to come in and be your true change.

“But the Lord said, “My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.” So I will gladly boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can stay in me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 ERV

This is a 6 week series called Becoming Bold and our dream is for you to go through this with a friend.  We’re giving you the tools to make the change, to take control of your life, and start living in a way that honors yourself and your family. All you have to do is tune in, print the weekly worksheet and find a friend to go through it together.

 

HOW DO YOU OVERCOME CHALLENGES?

Before you think about overcoming, identify the challenge with words.

One of the biggest challenges us women face is … comparison!

Comparison is the thief of joy.

Imagine if you will 2 scenarios as you wake up to face a new day:
1. first thing you do – look at your phone, surf social and automatically feel defeated
2. don’t look at your phone – spend time in the Word or with coffee reflecting

It’s a totally different mindset to start off your morning from recharge instead of depletion. It gives you more focus to overcome challenges as they start to, and they will, fly at you!

One of my biggest tips for you, don’t look at your phone (but really)!

Find ways to protect your peace and energy.

When you first give to yourself, that allows you to come to others from a place of genuine encouragement. When you’re encouraging others and looking at a positive life, challenges become opportunities for successes.

If you’ve already been poured into you are coming at others from a place of overflow vs. depletion. This makes it easy to pour into others.

How you start your day is a big indicator as to how your next 24 hours could go. Try this, write for a few minutes every morning- processing the day to come or the day before, it’s not a perfect journal, it’s just a gift to talk through your thoughts.

FREE RESOURCE: Craft Your Morning Routine

OVERCOMING PROCRASTINATION

I’m willing to bet the farm that if you were truly honest with yourself, a huge struggle is procrastination!  What’s cool about our time is we can choose what’s most important, we all have different priorities and you don’t have to defend your choices against the outside world.

What works for you and what’s important you’ll make time for.  If you want it, nobody can make it happen or make the change, but you.

All it takes is a simple mind reframing.

Everything is not a priority.

You have to be able to discern your seasons to learn how and what to say yes or no to.  When you have a new baby or you’re in a new season things look different, remember that and apply priority where needed.

You may busy yourself with tasks so you don’t get to something you want to do or you know you need to do because it’s something great. Friend, that’s fear and this is all about Becoming Bold!

“The magic is in the work we’re avoiding”

We all have stuff to do and we’re all busy, but it’s all about how you chose to manage your time.

Don’t get caught up in the to do list mentality of just checking off things even if they are not a priority.  Stop finding your value or your worth in what you can do or produce. You’ll wind up at the same challenge or frustration you started at.

WHY IS OVERCOMING CHALLENGES IMPORTANT?

Have you been believing a lie of: “I can’t”?

There are so many “I cant’s” that sneak into your mind. How many of them are real and how many of them are a lie?

You can’t live unhurried or unrushed if you’re committing to everything. When you’re in a constant survival mode overcoming challenges is next to impossible!

Here is a challenge meant to help you overcome some setbacks or challenges.

Look at your current situation. The tiny fires you put out daily.  Is there someone you can empower to help you with this.  Yes, I’m talking 5 year old or hubby here.  Use your resources.

Can you empower someone else (in a creative not perfect) way to help you?

Overcoming challenges is important because it gives you a chance to develop and nurture your own character and strengths.  When planning your day or as you divvy out your time it’s ok to say no to something because you have a previous commitment, even if that commitment is to yourself. If you’ve put time on your calendar for you, it’s ok.

It’s time to actually plan a date with yourself! Pull out your calendar and block off some time for you. A time to process. You deserve your best blocks of time before someone else.

As you put yourself above the tiny fires you spend too much time putting out you start to see there aren’t as many fires as you thought. When you’ve poured into yourself you can easily manage the struggles coming your way.

5 TIPS TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES IN LIFE

Having a guide to follow never hurt anyone.  When you’re looking to overcome challenges in life try remembering, writing down and practicing these 5 tips if you need a place to start!

TIP 1: RECOGNIZE THE LIE

When you hear the words, “I can’t” come out your child’s mouth it’s easy to stop them and speak the truth.  But when it comes into our brain and out of our mouth we believe the lie.

Take a second, or maybe a minute, and grab a pen and paper and write down: “What lies about my worth am I believing?”  Let the words flow and then give yourself grace.

TIP 2: REFRAME PROCRASTINATION

We’ve already talked about procrastination some but the key here is to realize when you’re filling up your schedule so that you don’t have to do the stuff that really matters.

When you skirt around the hard stuff you let the minimal little stuff take up your day and leave you exhausted after the sun goes down. Remember: The magic is what you’re avoiding!

Where there’s a will there’s a way, you’ll find a way to do what you want to, when it comes to what you don’t want to do – you can make excuses all day long.

TIP 3: KNOW YOURSELF

Knowing who you are seems like a small thing but in truth, how many times do you rush around ignoring your body, heart, and mind?  You push and push until something physically stops you (moms are known for fatigue sickness!).  Take time in the morning or evening to sit and listen.

Knowing yourself allows you to know where you struggle and where you could push through.

TIP 4: STAIR STEP IT

As you start to see small successes you can build on. The more you figure out on your own (hey google, let’s be friends) the more confidence you have to overcome the next hurdle. Keep the momentum going and don’t be afraid to learn something new.

Self talk can feel corny but can be so powerful. Give yourself a “pep talk” you can do it, you can figure it out. Figuring it out builds confidence.

TIP 5: GET RID OF YOUR CRUTCHES

This is where I share a little tough love.  We all have them.  Crutches.  Where we go to as an escape or … an excuse.  They are easily justified and make overcoming challenges next to impossible. Get rid of them. Your crutch, your excuse, recognize them and be assertive with yourself.

When it comes to parenting, how many opportunities do we have to empower our kids to do something new?  It is important to be this roll for our kids but do this for yourself too.

Tools to Take Action

Sometimes it helps to just have some tools in your back pocket. Some go to tricks that can get you back on track.  When it comes to learning something new or taking a new step you may find yourself looking for a guide.

I recently was trying to make a big life decision and kept googling pros and cons, do’s and don’ts.  I was looking for tools to make the decision easier. I needed a process to follow or some formula to give me the answer. Although there is no exact formula there are some solutions and helpful actions to take when it comes to stepping out and creating that life full of intentionality. Creating a life that you know, at the end of the day, was the one you were meant to live.

That’s what next week’s episode is all about. This is a 6 week series called Becoming Bold and our dream is for you to go through this with a friend. We’re giving you the tools to make the change, to take control of your life, and start living in a way that honors yourself and your family. All you have to do is tune in, print the weekly worksheet and find a friend to go through it together.

 

MORE POSTS RELATED TO CHALLENGES:

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– The Best Way to Organize Your Photo’s in 7 Simple Steps 

Mentions

The Unhurried Life Facebook Community Group  ||  Becoming Bold Weekly Worksheet  ||  Bob Goff: Dream Big  ||  Morning pages – Julia Cameron (the artist way)