Stand Strong:
7 Actions

Has your holiday already ended or do you still have a few days or even a week or so? Are you all caught up in everyday life again?

For some of us everyday life might feel as if things are all falling apart. Maybe you have to deal with illness or with loved ones who are ill. Maybe everyday day life means back to financial and business turmoil for you.

When life feels as if it is falling apart, it could actually be falling together, which is why it feels so uncomfortable. What’s in front of you might be serving you in valuable ways you don’t even understand right now.

People or circumstances can occasionally break you down. But if you keep your mind focused, your heart open to love, and if you continue to put one foot in front of the other, you can recover the pieces, rebuild, and come back much stronger and happier than you ever would have been otherwise.

Here are seven key actions to find the strength when everything seems to be going wrong.

#1
Fully accept the reality of what is
You cannot find peace by avoiding life. Instead of avoiding it, take every experience as a challenge for growth. Either it will give you what you want or it will teach you what the next step is. You can’t avoid noise, challenges or hard work in your life. Finding peace and happiness in life means remaining calm in your heart during all that turmoil. It’s about letting go of the pictures in your head about how things are supposed to be and accepting the reality of what is.

#2
Remember that everything in life is temporary
Every time it rains, it stops raining. Every time you get hurt, you heal. After darkness there is always light. You are reminded of this every morning, but still you often forget, and instead choose to believe that the night will go on forever. It won’t. Nothing lasts forever.

#3
Take another step, and another, no matter what
What separates successful people from everyone else is perseverance. We all seek quick results too often. Learn the beauty of effort, patience and perseverance. Breakdowns often lead to breakthroughs in the end. Every mistake, heartbreak and loss contains its own solution, its own subtle lesson. In the end, good things come to those who are patient… while working hard, through good times and bad, for what they want most in life.

#4
Use positivity
Don’t let negativity use you. Maybe there is no obvious reason to be positive today, but you don’t need a reason. Being positive is a strategy, not a response. The most powerful time to be positive is precisely when everything around you is not so positive.

#5
Focus on taking small steps
When you seek instant gratification [big, quick fixes] you make life unnecessarily painful and frustrating. When you choose to see each moment as an opportunity to make a tiny, positive investment in yourself, the reward comes naturally. When nothing seems to be going right, even the most littlest positive effort can make a huge difference. Small steps, little leaps, and tiny fixes [very small repetitive changes] every day will get you there, through thick and thin.

#6
Look for the small things to appreciate
You may not have what you want, but you still have more than enough to appreciate right now. Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you don’t have. Being positive in a negative situation is a sign of leadership and strength. Smile and appreciate your life. Give thanks for the ordinary, simple, and yet not-so-small gifts in your life. What if you woke up tomorrow with only the things you were thankful for today?

#7
Give yourself the attention you deserve
Resisting and ignoring your own feelings and emotions does not serve you. It leads to stress, illness, confusion, maybe even dark depression. You are worthwhile. You are breathing and therefore you matter. Your thoughts matter. Your feelings matter. Your voice matters. And with or without anyone’s approval or permission, you must be who you are and live your truth. Even if it makes people turn their heads. Even if it makes them uncomfortable. Even if they choose to leave. Choose to take up lot of space in your own life. Choose YOU!

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Your turn…
What helps you stay motivated when you’re stressed and struggling?
What’s something positive you try to keep in mind when everything seems to be going wrong?
Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

Mirjam Stoffels

Founder of seven2success, author of ‘Daily Little Secrets to Success’ and guest blogger at TEDxRoermond, Project Eve and 365 dagen succesvol. In my mission to make seven2success the biggest platform of knowledge and inspiration for women, I want to inspire you with our content! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! Let’s to connect! And do you want to inspire other women? Write for us!