The Top Ten Ways to Handle Adversity


We’ve all experienced difficult times, often through events outside our control. Here are 10 suggestions for dealing with those hard times.

  1. Take responsibility. Assume an “I can do something” attitude rather than pointing fingers. You can control your own response to the situation.
  2. Limit the focus. Don’t let the problem become all encompassing. When you compartmentalize the difficulty, you can focus on a workable solution.
  3. Be optimistic. A positive stance, despite hard times, will result in positive actions.
  4. Think creatively. Approach the problem from new and different directions. Trust your creativity.
  5. Have courage. Don’t let fear get in the way of doing what you need to do.
  6. Take action. Handling day-to-day details can keep you from getting bogged down. Determine what can be done, and do it.
  7. Take the long-range view. Take solace from having survived past challenges. You will this time, too.
  8. Maintain a sense of humor. Even in the darkest times, laughter can help ease the pain.
  9. Get support. No need to do it alone. Ask for help.
  10. Don’t quit. Persistence may be the greatest of human qualities that help us overcome adversity.

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