Did you ever face a problem so monumental that you felt like the world was caving in on you? You had no control over the situation, no one to help you, and you thought you’d never dig yourself out of the hole. Feelings of anger, fear, and hopelessness came over you. And you just couldn’t bear the feeling of being alone. You may have asked yourself, Why me?

Unfortunately, we all experience adversity — some setbacks larger than others. They may take the form of health scares, financial hardships, family squabbles, relationship disputes, or career setbacks. But while you may feel as if you’re the only one facing the problem, I can assure you that’s not the case. The fact is that some people are very vocal about their burdens while others keep them to themselves.

You’re Not Alone

Generally, the way you view a situation determines whether you adopt a positive attitude or wallow in self-pity, take steps to resolve the problem or complain till the cows come home, go it alone or seek help from a sympathetic support group.

Here are 10 guideposts to consider when you’re faced with an overwhelming problem:

Even though your situation is bad, things could be worse. Although your problem seems larger than life, keep things in perspective. You have a lot to be grateful for; others may not be able to say the same.

Your outlook can make the situation easier — or harder — to handle. Everything has an upside. As Lauren Aquilina, the singer and songwriter, said, “Glass half empty, glass half full. Well, either way you won’t be going thirsty. Count your blessings not your flaws.”

You can spend your time either complaining or being productive. It’s a lot easier to play a sport when the crowd is cheering you on. The same holds true with the way you talk to yourself.

Let off steam, but don’t talk yourself into a funk. Remain calm. Negative thoughts can easily spiral out of control and send you into a frenzy.

Negativity soaks up mental energy. Feeling sorry for yourself will zap your strength and psyche. As Charlie Chaplin said, “You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down.”

Every step forward brings you one step closer to your goal. Set ambitious, yet realistic, short-term goals as you pursue your long-term efforts to grapple with the crisis.

Find the lesson and learn from it. Even though you’re overwhelmed, there’s a positive lesson to be learned from the problem — look for it.

Hold out hope. When you believe something’s possible, it becomes possible. As someone once said, “Running away from any problem only increases the distance from the solution.”

Remember…you’re not alone. Surround yourself with people who have confronted a similar challenge — and made it through to the other end. They’ll serve as a source of strength and inspiration. In addition, support groups are an excellent source of information and proof positive that you’re not alone.

If you’ve overcome challenges before, you can do it again. Recount similar problems that you’ve overcome in the past. That will boost self-confidence, lift your spirits, and motivate you to act.

Nothing Lasts Forever

When people go through a tough time, there’s a tendency to exaggerate the situation. It begins by complaining they’re in a difficult patch and ends with the notion that the world is coming to an end. In fact, the more they recount their predicament, the more they embellish the details, and convince themselves that nobody understands their situation and they’re all alone.

How will you find the strength to confront the problem if you’re serving as your own worst enemy? The truth is that nothing lasts forever — even bad times end. It’s easy to look like a star when times are good, but when times are tough, your true character comes into full view. And how you choose to respond to the challenge will say volumes about who you really are. Be strong, remain levelheaded, and above all, adhere to your principles. You’ve overcome tough challenges in the past and you’ll do it again. Next time you’re faced with an insurmountable problem, remember that you’re never alone if you can count on yourself.

Check out Franks NEW book, Leadership by Example: Be a role model who inspires greatness in others

Did You Ever Face a Problem and Feel All Alone?

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Additional Reading:
What Do Tough Times Say About You?
Good Times Builds Confidence…Bad Times Builds Character
Do You Rise to The Occasion?
Perseverance: The Secret to Success
17 Action Steps to Take During Hard Times
Is Asking for Help a Weakness?
The Power of a Positive Attitude
Try to Keep Things In Perspective

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