Billy Ocean, 1980s –great song folks, great attitude to life.
Life can bring us challenges – you will note I use the word ‘challenge’ and not ‘problem’. For me a problem is like something negative that will be difficult to sort, something running against me, a word with a negative energy. Challenge, on the other hand is a different word to describe the same situation but with a lighter and more positive energy. For some people the word “problem” represents probability, whereas “challenge” suggests possibility.
So then we have a choice – do we choose to see any given barrier in life as an opportunity to cross over or a halt to progress? As you know there are different expressions to describe this scenario – some might say it “sorts the men from the boys” (an old expression, not a 2010 sexist remark!) while others are familiar with half full glass/ half empty glass. Isn’t it interesting how we can draw a line between the two types of human beings. People who cope with challenges, and people who feel overwhelmed and stressed at the thought of change. Here is an extract from a workshop I ran some time ago entitled “Coping with Change” Homoeostasis – Or “Why change for us humans is so hard!”
The Definition of Homoeostasis is:
n. the maintenance of metabolic equilibrium, by a tendency to compensate for disrupting changes within us humans
The Definition of Homoeostat is;
n. machine capable of same kind of self-regulation.
Think of yourself as the ultimate homoeostat, a machine or body capable of the same kind of self-regulation. Boy, are we human beings good at staying the same! In other words, resisting change. No matter how much we may want to change, at a deeper level we resist. Both Physiologically and psychologically we carry many systems designed to prevent us from Changing.
Physiologically: we maintain our blood sugar, temperature, weight, calorie intake and many more potentially reactive systems, from an unconscious centre.
Psychologically we do exactly the same thing. Change means danger to our psyche, ego or ‘comfort zone’ and our ego tells us that change must be avoided at all costs. The greater the perceived threat of change, the greater the discomfort to our ego and perceived danger, therefore the greater the defensive moves that are put in place to resist the change. We will, albeit probably unconsciously, sabotage any attempts to make a major change for ourselves!
So is a challenge (or problem) that easy to define then? A perso’s reluctance or resistance to change? Well in many cases (but not all) I believe them to be true. If we embrace change as opposed to feel threatened by it we are approaching the situation with an ‘energy’ of possibility as opposed to resistance. It dissolves that ‘barrier to progress’ much more quickly. We are talking attitude here; our mental approach. The dictionary says: “the way a person views something or tends to behave towards it – often in an evaluative way.
So, am I suggesting a problem solved or challenge resolved, is all to do with attitude alone? Well not entirely. There is another consideration here – desire. We have to ‘want’ to see beyond the barrier to the solution, rather than be phased by the barrier alone.
So there we have it – Attitude – Desire - Action. A.D.A. Just as the horse won’t clear the jump by looking alone, we need to take further action for our desired outcome. Another way to look at this might be goal setting. Think of a footballer – without attitude, desire and action the ball is unlikely to go into the net. The player needs attitude on approach to the ball and desire to kick it. He cannot afford to be phased by any barriers (opposing players). He needs to get on with the job in hand or he will lose out to the ‘problem’ – the opposition.
But back to the title, ‘When the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going.’ Translated it means if we ADA a ‘problem’ in life it becomes a ‘challenge’ to overcome. A lesson, learned, a character builder and a life experience enhancer. That’s all. We’ve all had them, we will get them again. It depends whether we choose to feel phased by, or inspired to conquer, breakdown and dissolve the barriers. Oh, maybe you are thinking, this is a simplistic view to life, some situations are much more serious than others. Well are they? Or do they just seem that way? We all know that negative thinkers attract ‘problems’ and positive thinkers attract ‘challenges’. So could this hold the clue to our success in life folks? Our thinking and our attitude?
Take the, ‘Tough get going,’ they are more interested in getting on with overcoming the challenge, than sitting around, ‘seeing it as tough.’ So the next time you are faced with an obstacle in your health, wealth creation, or relationships, remember the ADA formula.
Ask yourself;
1 What is my attitude to this situation?
2 What is my desired outcome?
3 What action can I / will I take to overcome my obstacle?
Based on my experience as a coach working with successful and progressive people I promise you it will dissolve your barrier more quickly, keep your stress levels at bay and add to your self-esteem immeasurably. It’s a win, win, win for you, your goal scored, a hurdle cleared and a job done –well done!
