All of us have felt stuck at some point, whether it has to do with our career, our health, or the relationships in our lives. But how is it that some people seem to weather life’s ups and downs with panache where others let it take control and smother them? Personally, I’ve been in both places and I certainly like the first method much, much better!
Most of my life, I’ve been able to bounce back from letdowns because I’ve always known intuitively that there is always another opportunity out there for me. In fact, it was my father who instilled this idea into my head as a young adult. I had my heart set on a certain little car when I was in my young 20s. I was so excited to have my Dad come and look at it with me, but when we got there it had already been sold.
I felt crushed, like my whole life was going to end because of this one devastating blow. My father, who was rather stern most of the time, looked at my tear-stained face and said gently, “This just wasn’t meant to be. I know you’re disappointed right now, but it’s not the end of the world. You have to trust me on this. There’s going to be something way better for you right around the corner.”
And guess what? He was right! Even though I had no desire or intention of looking at ANY other cars that day, he persuaded me to try again. At the very next dealership, there was a similar style of car that was not only sportier and better quality, but a better deal overall. I drove that car for the next five years of my life and still consider it one of my all-time favorites.
I’ve continued to use that philosophy in other areas of my life too. When one job doesn’t work out, I think back to that car and remember that there’s going to be a better one right around the corner. Sometimes it might mean better pay, and sometimes it might mean a better management team, or something that suits my skills better. The point is that I always try to keep in mind that Life’s roadblocks can often turn out to be detours to a better place.
So the next time you’re feeling stuck, take a step back and try to remember this story. Don’t think about all of your problems at once. Pick one to focus on and try to figure out a different solution, a compromise or a workaround. I’m hoping this one little trick can help you realize that the answer is there if you look hard enough. And who knows? You may find that Life has an exciting detour in mind for you too.
