When faced with a challenge, the first step is to accept the challenge and embrace it. It might sound crazy, because challenges are usually viewed as a source of causing some level of difficulty in our lives. Only after the challenge has been embraced can you deal with it on a higher sense of consciousness. Looking at the challenge or problem from a different perspective will reveal the multitude of choices you have in front of you. It’s all about how you react to the situation.

One of my favorite quotes by Albert Einstein is, “You cannot solve a problem from the same consciousness that created it. You must learn to see the world anew.” This simply means looking at the challenge or problem in front of you with a new set of eyes, a set that is willing to look outside the box in order to come up with the solution that works best for you.

I may be a life coach, but I’m also human like everybody else. I like it when my life runs smoothly without problems. But I also realize that my life will only run as smoothly as my mind is willing to allow. If I can open my mind up to the opportunities that a challenge has to offer, I don’t need to get stressed out about the situation.

Recently, I made an appointment for a very important meeting to be held on a Thursday. The meeting meant a lot to me in a variety of ways. I was grateful to have it. In order to prepare for this meeting, I had asked a friend to send me 4 lbs. worth of documents from New Jersey to Florida.

She shipped it on a Monday, and we both anticipated and were told that I would receive it that Tuesday evening two days ahead of my meeting. I was charged for the price of the overnight delivery. I had no doubt in my mind that it was going to arrive Tuesday evening and planned on picking it up from the front desk of my building after my USTREAM.tv show I hold live every Tuesday night.

As I was writing this very exact article, I had so much to say about turning challenges into opportunities that I got a bit of writer’s block. My usual remedy for writers block is to scan the Internet for awhile, and then go back to what I’m writing. Often I’ll see something that will spark an idea or lead me to the next thing I want to express.

Believing that everything happens for a reason and there are no coincidences, I don’t think checking my personal email instead of scanning the Internet just happened by chance. I checked my email and realized that my friend had been sending emails all day and was in touch with UPS to rectify a challenge that occurred with the shipping of the package. Although I was charged full price for overnight shipping, the package was sent ground and was scheduled to arrive Thursday night. But my meeting was scheduled for Thursday morning.

Because of my fear about how not having the papers would negatively affect the meeting, I was about to express my frustration with the customer service representative at the company. But I thought consciously thought through the situation first, before reacting. I chose to consider the opportunities I could gain from the situation. It turned out I gained two opportunities.

First, I was able to negotiate a solution with the manager. As soon as I was transferred to her, she began to explain to me that there was nothing she could do and told me to deal with the store from where the package was shipped. She said, “I’m sorry, but I’m not the one who made the mistake.”

Speaking with her on a higher energy level, I acknowledged that she definitely was not at fault, but assured her that as a manager working out of the national office of her company, she was more than capable to help me resolve the situation. Positive communication in a challenging situation is always an opportunity to encourage myself and others who may be involved.

It did. Immediately, the confidence level in her voice perked up and her desire to help was apparent in her voice. And that’s exactly what she did. She took five minutes to think outside of the box, and resolved the situation almost immediately.

Another opportunity I gained from the situation was that I no longer had writer’s block. I believe in the theory of whatever intention you put out into the Universe is what you are going to receive back. I was looking for something to write with a good example of a recent challenge, and I was presented with one.

With any challenge my clients face, I have them write down the challenge so that they can embrace and understand it better. Then I have them write out any opportunities they can see from the situation. Depending on the circumstance, some challenges may be easier to see opportunities from than others. As a result, I am there to ask them questions to reveal the different opportunities they are willing to view from their perspective.

School starts for these students on Monday and in order for these three kids to be able to afford their books, I’m asking for donations of any amount. I’ve personally donated and hope you will too. If you are interested in making a contribution to the children of our future, please contact me at mignonbrooks@collegiatecareercoach.com. I will give you the direct website to the school, and you can make your donation right online.

How Giving Impacts Your Life

When you open your heart to giving even the smallest amount you can afford, the world opens opportunities up for you. You’ll be surprised as to how things you are seeking in your own life will present itself in a way you could have never possibly imagined.

Yesterday after I donated an extra $25 on top of what I had already donated to the students I’ve been working with this summer, I wondered if I’d be able to afford one of my own expenses. It was an absolute blessing to find out that the woman I owed money to did not charge me half of what I expected to pay. I was astonished. Ever since I’ve opened up my heart to give, occurrences like this have been happening to me on a regular basis.

Giving is not always monetary. As I said in the beginning of this blog, I donated my coaching services to students. You can give love to someone who might feel they are alone. Every time you smile at someone, you radiate a positive energy that contributes to someone’s day. You can give someone a listening ear when they need someone to talk to. The possibilities are endless.

Be open to giving, and you’ll be surprised as to how it will impact your life in return!

This is only based on fear. If you can turn this negative self talk
around into positive self talk, it will build your confidence and
help you break through the obstacle standing in your way – your
negative thoughts.

Record your negative self thoughts in the positive affirmation
journal available here.

When you catch yourself thinking negatively, write the thought on
the right hand side of the journal. Think of a positive way in
which you could turn that thought around and write it on the left
side of the paper.

Fold the paper in half vertically so you can only see the positive
affirmations you have created for yourself. Look at them and repeat
them at least three times per day. The more you read them aloud,
the more true they will become in your life.

To stay positive and focused, close your eyes and quiet your mind
to release stress and let go of any doubts you may have about your
chosen career. Get the positive image of your future career in your
head. Create success in your mind and it will become your reality.

You have to set goals that are almost out of reach. If you set a
goal that is attainable without much work or thought, you are stuck with something below your true talent and potential.”
– Steve Garvey

After this envisioning exercise, take the time to capture the moment by writing down the details of your experience.

Be sure to include how you felt and what you were doing that made you feel
successful.

Remember to use the “Document Your Vision” sheet to write down your
thoughts and ideas. You’ll want to reference this information later.

And you’ll be amazed at how much comes to be simply becuase you took
the step to document your dreams.

Why join a collegiate career coach tomorrow night if you’re already working in a career?

There’s a few reasons you definitely want to catch this event!

1. You might be thinking about going to college, and you still haven’t chosen a degree program.

2. You might want a career change, and you’re not sure what career field you’d like to transition into.

3. You will gain clarity about what life coaching actually is and understand how it can be an asset in your life or in the life of someone you know.

4. You’ll get some tips from the self-discovery process my clients have the opportunity to experience and get to see the obvious benefits.

5. You’ll get a chance to hear more about the energy leadership assessment and debrief I offer that will literally change your life forever.

6. You might be a personal family member or friend and know that your support is important to me.