Checklist for Going With the Flow

Recently, I talked about the nightmare of renovating and moving into a new apartment. Everything that could have gone wrong did. I have to admit, for a short period of time I let this consume me. It took me awhile to realize that I need to be able to learn to be more flexible and stay optimistic when things don’t go as planned.

So I made “go with the flow” my New Year’s Resolution. Unfortunately, “rolling with the punches” is much easier said than done, so I put together a checklist to help:

1. Be Proactive: Be ready to face any problem. Recognize that no matter how optimistic you are, the outcome may not always be what you anticipated. Detach yourself from one the idea of a single outcome and prepare yourself for other possibilities.  I’m big on having a plan B.
2. Face It: Don’t turn away from the problem when it comes your way. Difficulties will not vanish if you ignore it, they may even worsen. Believe me, I’ve tried this approach! Many of us get afraid and run in the opposite direction.
3. Trust your instincts: We are born with intuition, that little feeling in your gut that tells you which turn to take when you’re utterly lost. Since you know yourself best, take some time to reflect and make a confident decision, stray away from overanalyzing. Oprah calls this a little “whisper” — be sure to be listening when they pop up.
4. Stay optimistic: Shake off those nerves and clear your head. You made a decision, and it was a learning experience- whether it was right or wrong. Move forward and maintain a positive attitude. Obsessing over what could have been can run you ragged!
5. Adapt to change: Change is hard and I surely do not like it- I pretty much avoid it at all costs. It’s a tough aspect of life for me to deal with, but it is inevitable. That feeling of unhappiness and discomfort is not permanent. Being forced outside of your comfort zone can be a good thing, embrace it.  You never truly know why you’re sent down one path or another.
6. Don’t forget to live in the moment. Living life in fear is no way of living. We can only control so much in life, all that can be done is preparation. Plan for change and be ready for it but don’t let it control you.

Always remember, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it”- Charles R. Swindoll.