Keep Moving Forward

When adversity strikes, that's when you have to be the most calm. Take a step back, stay strong, stay grounded and press on. 

- LL Cool J

Have you ever been in that season of life when everything is going great, on all fronts? Personally and professionally, life is good. So good, in fact, that you have the thought (and maybe even share this thought with someone), that you finally feel like you have life figured out.

And then “WHACK” – you feel like you’ve been hit by a 2x4 upside your head?

Just as the weather can change quickly and unpredictably, so can life’s circumstances. While it doesn’t take long to get comfortable with things going well, we are often quickly reminded that the only true constant in life is change.

Life will pitch everyone the occasional unexpected curveball. When that happens, it’s easy to feel thrown off our game. We get startled, flustered, and sometimes thrown into a funk.. 

We know intellectually that the weather will change, and we must also realize that life, too, goes in ebbs and flows. The important thing is to keep moving forward. As you continue to move, your challenges and obstacles will fall by the wayside.

Here’s are five steps you can take the next time you’re confronted with adversity:

1. Pause

It’s very natural to be upset, disappointed, and even angry when things are going well, and then something gets in the way. Instead of jumping to conclusions, or overreacting to this event, take a moment to assess the situation. It’s important to put things in their proper perspective. Acknowledge the issue, but hold off on conclusions about the impact it will have on you.

2. Brainstorm

Once you get through the emotional reaction, look at the situation objectively. Take out a sheet of paper, and write down everything you can do to move through this challenge. What has to happen for you to overcome this adversity? Whose support do you need to help you navigate through this?

3. Focus

When life is interrupted, revisit your desired outcome(s). Where were you headed before the adversity struck? Remember your “reason why” and stay focused on it. 

I remember playing with ants as a kid. It seems like, no matter what we did – putting sticks or other obstacles in front of them, pouring water on them, etc. – they kept moving forward. They were undeterred, in spite of whatever was put in their way. Adopt this mindset and strategy – that you will continue moving forward, even when obstacles are put in front of you.

4. Plan

Using your brainstorm, get detailed and specific about the path ahead. Day by day, week by week, and month by month. Plan your work, and then work your plan. I recommend planning in 90-day increments. It’s a long enough time frame to make significant progress toward your desired outcome but short enough that, if for some reason you struggle, you’ll be able to regroup and get back on track quickly for the next cycle.

5. Celebrate

Once you’re back on track, be sure to acknowledge your progress. While throwing a party might not be the appropriate reaction, it’s important to give yourself due credit for persevering. Think about the steps you took that helped you to work through the situation. What worked, and what didn’t work quite as well? The experience of having navigated through adversity will help you the next time. (And yes, there will be a next time.)

Adversity is hard. Nobody wants to experience these kinds of difficulties, but they’re part of life. We can’t always control our circumstances, but we can control our reaction to them. Hopefully, these tips will help you learn and grow the next time you get hit by the proverbial 2x4!