I guess you would be expecting me to say that you should always remain positive and look for the silver lining in any cloud. However, you know as well as I do that in any such situation, emotions can become all encompassing. Even the perpetrator’s face in your mind can bring about feelings of anxiety and aggression in many cases. I know I have been in that position more than a few times!

And at the same time, we all know that given time, we will surely look back and laugh at such events in our life. It is as if time is able to give us the perspective we need to be able to see the positives that will inevitably come, but which are hidden from us in our enraged state.

Ironically, it is this vision that you need in order to make the improvements happen. Spending the weekend with Bob Proctor last weekend reminded me of the importance of holding a clear and vivid image of my goals in my mind to allow my vibrations to come into harmony with the universe to allow it to be attracted to me.

Prefer the NLP version? You need to focus your RAS (Reticular Activating System) on something positive so that you notice more of that around you: opportunities, situations, people and events. Ever wonder why they say that “bad things happen in three’s“? Well it’s because when one such thing happens, you then focus your mind to look for another two similar situations that can go wrong. And when they do, you reinforce that belief, and then carry on as normal because bad things only happen in three’s, therefore making any other bad event impossible (at least in your imagination)!

Thank goodness the phrase isn’t “bad things happen in seventeen’s“!

So ok, maybe I am going to give the think positive speech, but that is only because it is so important! And remember, it isn’t events that control you, its how you respond to such events that counts. I remember a quote from Jim Rohn that states:

 “The same wind blows on us all; the wind of change, of adversity, of opportunity. Yet it is not the wind that determines our direction, but the set of our sail!”.

In any challenge, you have to learn how to set your sail. When done effectively, you can even sail into the wind (now I am no sailor, but I have heard it is possible. The word ‘tacking’ pops into my mind). And believe me, there are a lot of challenges out there at the moment, not least financial.

However, challenges can often truly turn into blessings! Take for example the case of someone who recently lost their biggest client; a piece of work that almost completely made up this person’s entire income. This client, going through financial challenges themselves, decided that cutbacks were to be made, and decided to downsize in certain departments… including the one this guy worked in!

Initial response? Well, like anyone else, the immediate thought was of covering basic living expenses and keeping a roof overhead… but did you ever notice that when you focus on such things that you rarely feel motivated to reach for your true potential?

Fortunately, this guy had a good coach who helped point out that the old situation was far from perfect, and that this new situation was the perfect opportunity to get back in touch with what inspired him; to get creative and commit to focus on his passion to make a difference! Now that is inspiring!

But again, when one door opens… another slams firmly in your face! Something that seemed so positive and which had inspired a lot of this person’s action was suddenly snatched away. Had all that work been for nothing? That depends on the interpretation of that event! But because momentum had been created by taking action in the direction, it would take more than a hiccup like that to knock him off track!

The outcome of this situation? Well, after just a few weeks following the “disappointment“, this guy has raised the standard of his life dramatically! He has almost doubled his income following the attraction of new clients and a couple of new Multiple Streams of Income, opportunities which would certainly have been overlooked in his old position. He has found new ways to contribute to even more people’s lives, and is attracting all of the people he needs into his life, even bumping into them on the street (literally!). And it seems, after the initial resistance, that when one door opens… two more open! (Can you guess who this might be?)

So the lesson today is to welcome challenge and change! Sometimes the decision to change is made for you… other times you will commit yourself. Either way, change is an opportunity for fuller expression; for you to realise what is truly important and for you to go after it in full effect. Once momentum from your newly invigorated actions reaches a certain point, you will certainly begin to attract what you need into your life. The important thing is to commit to doing what you are passionate about and what can make a difference to others too!

So the three steps to surviving change are:

1. Be prepared for change. Ensure that whatever you are doing right now that you are emotionally, financially, physically and intellectually prepared for whatever could happen.

2. When change happens, adjust your perspective to see the opportunity rather than the adversity, and welcome it with excitement and dreams of possibility.

3. Commit to follow your dreams and live the life you are designed for. Use your strengths and talents to change the world and the lives of others around you.

Follow these steps, and success in the face of change is assured!