Going with the Flow

Going with the Flow

By Annette Huygens-Tholen

A volcano erupts in Iceland and so many lives are disrupted as a result. It’s not the challenges in our lives that determine our results, it’s how we are able to cope with those challenges. There are many catastrophes happening in the world with geological changes, along with the continuing economic challenges - those who not only survive, but thrive in such conditions are the ones with the most behavioural flexibility.

Carl Jung said that “what you resist, persists”, largely because you are putting so much energy and thought into how things are (the problem) rather than focusing on how you desire things to be (the solution). The more emotional energy you put into it, the greater the effect.

This is working the ‘law of attraction’ based on how your thoughts determine your reality. The pictures you create in your mind are messages to your unconscious mind about what you expect in life. When you focus on the problem, the unconscious mind thinks that is what you want and persists in creating the problem. Sound familiar?

How do you deal with challenges? Do you feel powerless to do anything about them and instead complain and moan about how things are? Do you feel like a victim?

OR, do you take the approach that ‘shit happens’ and find a way to deal with it - the sooner the better?

OR, do you look at the challenge as an opportunity to grow? To learn something?

Sometimes challenges occur in life in order to bring out qualities within that we didn’t even know we had. Only through challenges can these qualities develop. Think back over the challenges in life that you did overcome and how they made you the person you are today.

You can consider the butterfly that must struggle its way out of its cocoon in order to develop the strength in its wings to fly. Or consider a child that develops through frustrations. A spoilt child who gets everything its own way does not develop in the same way that a child that has learned to deal with ‘no’ or even losing.

So back to going with the flow - when you trust that circumstances are perfect as they are, then you are better able to deal with it and find alternative solutions. As long as you keep your eye on your ultimate goal, then be flexible with how you attain that goal. Perhaps the path to your goal becomes longer, perhaps easier or even more gratifying with extra bonuses. Sometimes there are greater challenges to deal with which ultimately make it even more worthwhile.

As I sit at the airport waiting for my flight back home, delayed by 4 days, I consider myself lucky for getting on a flight, for being covered by travel insurance, for having the flexibility in my work to cope. The experience has also given me greater insight to myself and how I personally handle situations when things don’t go to plan.

When next handled a gift in life, disguised as a challenge, ask yourself 3 questions:
1. How did I create this?
2. What can I learn from this?
3. How can I overcome the solution?

Let these questions help you to take greater responsibility in your life and help you to deal with challenges. Get curious about the answers and you will learn a lot about yourself and how you can better reach your goals.

About the author:

Annette Huygens Tholen is a former international beach volleyball player and participated in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. She experienced the difficulties of transition from sport and is now a Master Results Coach and International speaker using her learnings and experience to empower others to reproduce emotional and financial success in their life beyond sport. Annette also teaches seminars for the world's biggest NLP Coaching and Training Organisation -The Christopher Howard Companies. For more information on how to create success in your life with the champion mindset, please visit www.annetteffect.com and sign up for the free mini-Ecourse.