I feel like I don’t even have to write the post. Just get feedback.

I could be travelling down a slippery slope with this post, but I’m going to spin it. Today I had a rough day. I faced some truths about some of the things that I am doing. Not the positive stuff that I talk about here, but some of the other things going on in my life today. I won’t go into details about it because in 6 months, 1 year, 2, 3, 5,25 years, it won’t be relevant, and it won’t be helpful to you today. What would be relevant and helpful is how I chose to deal with it.

Acknowledge the Situation
In personal development and new thought, we hear and talk about the true nature of the Universe. We know that our thoughts create our lives. This statement is true. Be present to really assess the situation. Don’t immediately try to think yourself out of it or fix it. The situation is just the outer manifestation of a previous thought pattern. It is what it is. Accept that it exists.

Be Honest With Yourself
Take this with a grain of salt. It’s not a license to beat yourself up. You want to acknowledge the situation and be clear about what got you here. Think of it as evidence in a case. You’re trying to solve the case so you don’t have to do it again. You don’t have to beat up the witnesses. Thank them for their help in providing a clue. Once you know what got you in the situation, you can make different choices to get you into a situation that’s more favorable.

Pray
If you’ve been to this site before you know that I can’t do a post without some reference to Spirit. What ever your tradition or non-tradition, consult with your Higher Power. In Spirit lies the solution. Even if you think you have it, thank your Higher Power for the solution. If you don’t have the solution, pray until something happens (PUSH). In my experience, prayer is a miraculous thing. Even without a clear solution, in the midst of despair, it comforts me.

Do Something Inspirational
You can take a walk, read a blog, listen to a CD, you name it. Begin to shift your attention from the problem to the solution. Your favorite author might have the words that are the solution to your problem. Or you might read something inspirational online and it resonates with your soul. Once you open up, solution will be forthcoming.

Act on Your Guidance
After acknowledging the situation, being honest with yourself, praying, and seeking inspiration, it’s time to follow up with action. You will be guided to take steps out of the situation. Act on that guidance no matter how strange it may seem. Guided action will get you out of the hole. It will move you toward the life that you desire.

What do you do when life gets tough?

I was stumbled upon! A sincere thank you goes out to the person that stumbled. I don’t know who you are, but I am glad that this site is helpful to you.

I wasn’t going to say anything about being “stumbled upon”, then I thought, “It’s a success, I should celebrate it.” Then a post was born.

We personal development types are prepared. We have our purpose clearly documented and visible. Our goals are laser sharp with clear deadlines. Sometimes we might even have a spreadsheet to track our progress with our goals. Or maybe that’s just me. However, when it comes to celebrating success, a lot of times we miss all the little winks from the Universe on the way because we are so focused on the big kahuna.

When we celebrate our success, we are acknowledging the signal that was sent from the Universe to tell us that we are on track. It also helps us to stay focused on our larger goal by reminding us that it is indeed possible. If used wisely, small success can be just the motivational boost that you need to continue on your path. It’s important to stop and take a look around from time to time. To acknowledge your progress, and celebrate small successes.

Have you celebrated any small successes lately?