Take the lesson

We’ve all heard about “life lessons” and how we could/should react to them. Usually, when we refer to having learned a lesson, it is in regards to something unpleasant. We seldom have a great success or a pleasant event and say, “Well, I learned a lesson in that experience.” Right? (Although, maybe we should.) When we learn a lesson, it is most often, hopefully, so we don’t repeat whatever it is we did.

The trials, troubles, and situations we find ourselves in will often offer us a growth opportunity. If something isn’t working the way we’d like it to, the answer isn’t to sit around and complain about it, wallowing in our little pity-party. You certainly could do that, but what will change if that is the answer? There’s a fun Jim Rohn quote that says, “If you don’t like how things are, change it! You’re not a tree.”

How can you turn a bad situation in a growth opportunity?

• Have a positive attitude

• Be aware

• Decide to accept your part of the responsibility

• Be informed

• Determine what could have been done differently to change the outcome

• See things differently

• Make a change. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results…well you know the rest

• Walk away from drama

• Ponder what happened: Why did it happen? What could have brought about a better outcome?

Have you learned any life lessons lately? Have you reflected on some struggles, or difficult times, and tried to learn from them? Sharing and discussing your challenges with a trusted friend, or accountability partner/coach, will help you see the bigger picture, put things in perspective, learn, and grow.