Keeping Perspective Through The Tough Times

Life likes to throw curve balls every now and again. When this happens we have two options, even when we feel there’s nothing we can do.

Option 1. Give into the feeling of helplessness. When things happen that are beyond your control and life isn’t going according to plan it’s only natural to feel helpless, cheated or robbed. This isn’t how things were “supposed to be”. It is okay to have these thoughts you are completely entitled to feel this way. BUT here’s the catch you shouldn’t wallow in it or become consumed by these feelings. There is a better way.

Option 2. Keep perspective. Once you have fully felt and acknowledged your initial gut reaction, reel yourself back in and regain perspective of the situation. Try to think clearly and focus on facts.

Here are some ways to help you keep perspective when faced with tough times.

How to keep perspective through tough times

1. Stick to the facts. When trying to keep perspective look at the cold hard facts and remove as much of the emotion as you can. A guaranteed way to lose all perspective very quickly is to allow yourself to get carried away with and run with your emotions. Look at the numbers, research results, personal experiences of others before you make a decision as to whether or not something is really “that bad”. What I’ve found helpful is looking at the probabilities of something bad happening. Stick to the facts.

2. Is it really a bad thing? Quite often we are quick to label something as bad or terrible only because we don’t fully understand it, don’t have all the facts or are caught up in the emotional hype thanks to those around us. Take a step back and examine why this is happening. When a less than ideal situation arises it can sometimes be a good thing, merely disguised as something bad.

3. Count your blessings. I’m not usually one for comparing myself to others but when trying to gain perspective of a situation I find comparison to those less fortunate to be a very effective. So far in my life, any situation that has been less than ideal has never been as bad as it could have been. How does my current situation compare to those with a similar issue but just a bit worse? A lot worse? It’s possible that any situation you are faced with can be a lot worse than it is so it helps to be thankful for what you’ve got.

4. What will this look like years from now? When you’re living the bad news or unfortunate situation, right here right now, it’s really difficult to see the bigger picture. If you can look 10 or 20 years into the future or even across your entire lifetime it’ll be easier to see that this one event (as sucky as it seems at the time) is but a tiny point in time. Over the course of 80 years it’s unlikely that this one thing will carry as much weight as you are currently giving it.

5. Consider the alternative. Going back to point 2 take a close look at the alternative and decide whether this bad thing is really a blessing in disguise. A life saving treatment may require an operation and that in itself can be scary. You may label this situation as “bad” and begin to freak out, but what is the alternative? Death? That’s always worse than having an operation no matter how invasive or involved. Weighing what’s happening now against the alternative usually makes the current set of circumstances a little more manageable and you’re able to be a lot more objective.

It’s easier to remain calm, focused and in control if you can maintain a healthy dose of perspective. You are better able to make better decisions if you have the clarity that perspective brings. Next time something doesn’t go according to plan or doesn’t work out as you intended take the time to process your initial thoughts and emotions and then take a few minutes to give some thought to the suggestions I’ve listed here. Choosing to regain perspective in any situation is a conscious effort. It takes time and practice it’s not usually the first response.

Do you have any other suggestions on how to regain and maintain perspective? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this!

See also:

Who Me? Worry? You Bet!

Who Me? Worry? You Bet! – Part 2

Do You React Or Respond?

Can You Really Live Each Day Like It’s Your Last?

Photo courtesy of: vanz