Life is full of surprises and unexpected events and it can sometimes feel like a roller coaster ride. While most of them are of little importance, some of those unexpected surprises can be life shaking events that can shatter our daily routine.
Some of those surprises can be good and some of them not so much. Some are pleasant and some are unpleasant. And since most people like to be in complete control of their lives living in a balanced, habitual way, those interruptions and changes in life can cause difficulties and problems.
The first time an unforeseen event hits us, it can catch us off guard and hit us pretty hard, but unexpected change is the ultimate catalyst for life and after we’ve come through to the other side, we realize that it has been a true blessing, allowing us to gain more experience, more knowledge and more opportunities than we had before.
Here are our TOP 10 tips on how to handle unexpected changes and come out ahead.
#1 Pause Before You Act
There is a tremendous difference between reacting and responding. Reacting happens from the automatic part of our brain and is almost like a reflex and very quick. Responding on the other hand is something we consciously choose based on a more thoughtful and thorough assessment of the situation. So before you start to simply react to an unexpected surprise, pause for a moment and give yourself some time to think and with that give yourself the possibility to pick a better option. Simply taking a few deep breaths or counting to 10 can help you to restrain yourself from a reaction long enough to choose a better response.
#2 Don’t Assume the Worst
A lot of people automatically assume that unexpected surprises and events they don’t want are a bad thing and will lead to an even worse outcome later on. But generally speaking, for most things that happen to you you won’t know ahead of time whether they are good or bad, so don’t assume the worst. Keep in mind, the outcome has a lot to do with how you respond and unexpected events are often situations that have the potential to open new doors to possibilities in your life that you do want. If you can accept the change, maintain a positive attitude and believe that something even bigger and better is coming your way, you will be able to use the unexpected to your advantage.
#3 Check In How You Feel
A lot of times the first reaction to an unexpected event is to feel numb to protect ourselves from pain and stress. It’s an automatic response our bodies have been programmed with to respond to changes. But when you find yourself wondering about what to do next in the midst of this chaos, the first thing you should do is to check in with yourself and see how you are feeling – both physically as well as emotionally. Once you can identify how you feel, you set yourself up for a much better understanding of what comes next. No matter what you feel, your physiology and psychology will ultimately guide you in the right direction.
#4 Nourish Your Body and Soul
We are not just talking about food here, even though healthy food will help you to keep a clear head and with that be able to make better decisions, but there are a multitude of other ways you can nourish yourself. Get an extra dose of sunshine, get in some movement with swimming, yoga or a walk in the park, listen to relaxing music or simply drink a cup of water. Other great ways to nourish yourself is to add a few drops of essential oil to your bath or shower or buy yourself some flowers. No matter what it is, make sure that you do something good for yourself amidst the chaos of unexpected surprises.
#5 Prepare Your Mind
In order to find the appropriate response to an unexpected event it is essential to prepare your mind with rest and relaxation. Don’t underestimate the importance of adequate sleep, but rest comes in many different forms. Journaling could be a great way to rest and relax, because you can release some of your emotions, feelings and thoughts onto a piece of paper. Meditation has a great calming effect in times of change, as does bodywork. Or reading an inspiring book that will fill your mind with positivity. Find what works best for you and make sure you prepare your mind.
#6 Stay Optimistic
Remember, an unexpected problem is actually an opportunity in disguise and unanticipated events are a regular part of our lives. If you can learn how to maintain a positive attitude, you will be able to keep going and find the solution to use this unexpected event as an opportunity to create bigger and better things. And who knows, at the end of the twist, there might be a fun-filled, positive surprise waiting for you.
#7 Consult Others
While an unexpected event is a great opportunity to shine and prove to yourself and the world that you can handle anything, it doesn’t mean that you have to cope with it all by yourself. Don’t ignore the people around you and the knowledge and skills they have to help you make this situation a little bit easier. Seeking help and asking for a second opinion is always a wise choice, so enlist your support system and ask for help.
#8 Focus On Long-Term Goals
Ditch the short-term thinking and remember all your long-term goals. This will help you to effectively prioritize what needs to be done in any given situation and helps you to objectively distance yourself from the unexpected event. Keep your ultimate goal in the forefront of your thinking and don’t worry about the short-term problem like having to spend long hours on fixing the situation. Remember, in the end, you will be wiser and have gained more knowledge and experience to be able to move full steam ahead to achieve the life of your dreams.
#9 Accept the Unexpected
Change is the only constant in life and of course we all want to know what to expect and anticipate change. But unfortunately this isn’t always the case and rather than resisting change and unexpected events, expect change and accept the unexpected. Plan for the unexpected to turn into incredible results, make a plan, regain your sense of control and as soon as you start to feel better, you can turn the unexpected event into an amazing opportunity.
#10 Trust Yourself
Most people have been through more than one unexpected surprise in their lives. You’ve probably experienced several significant challenges and quite a few smaller bumps in the road. While nobody really likes them, most of us survive them. So when you are in the middle of the chaos of an unexpected event, remind yourself that you’ve already been through something like that and know that you have the strength to get through this challenge as well. Focus on your strong qualities and maintain your self-confidence and you will be able to handle anything that life throws at you.
Unexpected circumstances happen to all of us and we all experienced the blowing of the wind change. However, it is not what happens to us that determines the quality of our lives, but how we choose to react and what we choose to do when we discover that the wind has changed. Keep in mind, when things change, we have to change and when we can learn how to reset the sails with the changing winds, we can create powerful, positive change in our lives.
DON’T FIGHT THE UNEXPECTED – MAINTAIN YOUR CONFIDENCE AND FIND A POSITIVE OUTCOME
Joschi & Monika
#BoldNaked