"All that we learn in life is actually as a consequence of failing the first time."

By EMMA McLEOD

We are all familiar with the saying “As one door shuts, another one opens”. This is a very old saying that has stood the test of time for a reason.

It is human nature for each of us to strive for the goals and dreams that we consider we are worthy of achieving. It’s also true that we can expect to encounter setbacks that seemingly disrupt our attempts to achieve our goals and dreams.

Through our early adult years each of us imagines a life filled with happiness and accomplishment. However, for many of us it seems uncanny but true, that just when you feel you are on the right track life presents us with an unexpected challenge that can undermine all of our attempts towards creating a better life.

Have you ever found yourself confronted by one of life’s really tough challenges? You know, the ones that are so ginormous in magnitude that they simply scuttle all your hopes and dreams?  Whether the dilemma is financial, relationship or  work related, it can seem so big that it feels like you are being pushed to the brink.

When we get stretched to our limits we often ask ourselves questions like, “Why is this happening to me?”  “Why is my life so difficult?” And then follows the feeling that everything is all too hard. There seems no other answer but to hoist the white flag, give up hope and quit. Some people can even find themselves wondering why they were so silly to imagine a better life for themselves in the first place. This happens when we feel depleted, beaten and ready to throw in the towel on all the dreams and goals we once had.

If you can relate to these feelings and outcomes, life may well be calling upon you to view these diabolical situations in a different way.  For instance what if you were able to see the problems that you encounter as opportunities gift wrapped as problems? In other words seeing that it’s not the problems that cause us the grief it’s how we choose to respond to them that will define the quality of our lives.

The truth is, life is a series of challenges or problems, each seeking a solution. Each challenge is designed to teach us something about ourselves or provide us with an opportunity. In effect the problems that we encounter in life are actually a gateway for something better.

The amazing thing about life is that at times it can seem so deliberately unfair. Some of the hurdles we meet can be awfully painful to navigate,  and can have the potential to scar us for life. I know this scenario all too well. However, I have to say that despite some of the challenges I have confronted, I wouldn’t change my life for anything.  Yes, I would love some of the problems that I have encountered to never have occurred, but what I have learned about myself, my abilities and my resilience,  has held me in good shape to achieve some of my life long dreams.

Life orchestrates its own solutions that often turn out better than the ones we could have ever hoped for. For example, we can all relate to the pain of a relationship breakdown. Perhaps in time we can reconcile that had we not gone through that pain there would never have been an opportunity to meet someone who truly makes us happy and prevents us from living a life of anguish.

The important thing to remember is regardless of the magnitude of your problem, you should never ever give up on your dreams or goals.

In fact all that we learn in life is actually as a consequence of failing the first time. Think about the advances in medical technology. While today critical surgery seems common practice only a decade or two ago, doctors and specialists were learning about how to conduct such procedures safely as a consequence of their mistakes.

Maintaining a positive attitude through adversity is indeed tough, but rather than ask “why me” perhaps we can ask, “what is life trying to tell me?”. If we remain open to the fact that despite the challenges that we are forced to confront, it is the birthright of each and every one of us to experience and enjoy the full treasures that life has to offer, so long as we don’t give up on that ideal.  Should you find yourself thinking about giving up on your hopes and dreams as a consequence of life’s problems you effectively deny yourself of any chance to experience the full joy life has in store for you.

The key to staying on track is to maintain your optimism. Sometimes it’s hard to avoid feeling the “doom and gloom” because we forget the value of who we are. We forget the positive thinking patterns that we had when we were younger. Remember that you are still that same person you were when you were younger. Perhaps it’s time to awaken those dormant thoughts that life’s challenges has put to sleep.

The Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu had it right when he said “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one single step”. I would love you to join me when I present my Mastering Misfortune workshop on Thursday 13th March 2014, 10.30am till 12noon at the Mosman Club. I will share with you the practical steps that will help to reignite your optimism and motivation. To learn more click here.

Emma McLeod OAM is one of Australia’s most sought after motivational speakers. She teaches people how to develop their self-belief so that they can achieve their goals and dreams.

Her motto is “Follow your passion and achieve the impossible.”