Isn’t it interesting how the Universe is always presenting opportunities for life lessons if we are just aware enough to notice them?I recently learned a lesson in how to overcome challenges from a very unexpected source.
On a recent trip to Jamaica, I learned something that I immediately knew I needed to share. My husband and I have been to Jamaica before and one of the things that makes that location so special is the people. Jamaicans just have an envious demeanor and outlook on life. That laid-back, “no worries, mon” attitude is contagious while there.
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At dinner on our first night, we had the pleasure of meeting this wonderful young lady named Arlene. She works at the restaurant and was a complete joy to be in the company of. I can’t remember if it was our daughter or her friend that asked Arlene why Jamaicans always seem so happy. Arlene shared this analogy.
She said that Jamaicans are generally happy because of the way they are brought up in terms of how to overcome challenges. You see, most challenges fall into one of two categories – problems or situations. Now, situations are those challenges that have a solution. For instance, if your wine glass is empty, you just fill it back up again. Easy. Ain’t nothing but a situation.
Now problems, on the other hand, are challenges that really can’t be solved in a satisfactory manner. Using the wine glass example again, she said a problem would be that your wine glass is empty because you dropped and it broke. Even if you were able to pick up every single piece of glass and glue it all back together, it’s never going to hold wine without leaking. No matter how much effort you put into it, it will never be the same again. So, really there is no reason to put the effort into it. Easy. Just move on.
Just Move On – What a concept for people to learn about how to overcome challenges!
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Now I know that this doesn’t work for every challenge that appears in our lives. But, what a brilliant way to look at those smaller challenges that we usually get the most worked up over.
So, the next time you are worried about how to overcome challenges, decide if it’s a problem or a situation. If it’s a situation, then stop stewing over why and how, and fix it. No worries mon. And if it’s a problem, stop stewing over why and how, let it go and walk away. No worries mon.
It’s a beautiful way to approach life.
You can overcome your challenges! I believe in you!
Stacy
STACY OLDFIELD
After nearly 25 years in Corporate America, Stacy launched Minerva Management Partners as a way to combine those years of business experience with her life coaching certification and love for coaching women. Minerva Management Partners is a business coaching practice designed to support women entrepreneurs committed to launching and growing their business. Also, as a Results Coach with Robbins Research International, Stacy helps business women to focus their ideas and efforts and holds them accountable for achieving their goals. Whether it’s helping women discover creative solutions to their business challenges, coaching them to be clear and decisive, or helping them see and take action on new opportunities, Stacy guides them to achieve the business and career results they are seeking. Stacy is also the creator of the Minerva 3-Day Networking Challenge and the Network Like a Boss Lady On-Demand training program. Stacy has been invited to speak to many audiences within South Carolina including the Center for Women, Women Entrepreneurs of Charleston, the Women of the Workforce program of the Naval Information Warfare Center (SPAWAR), Charleston Women in Business, Association of Fundraising Professionals, SCANPO, graduate classes at both The Citadel and the College of Charleston (CofC), and Leadership CofC. She currently serves as a mentor through the Women of Excellence Program at Xavier University and previously served on the Board of Directors for the Beautiful Gate Center and on the advisory board of the SC Women’s Business Center.
