The Art of Overcoming Challenges — Ideas that Help You See Those Challenges Differently

I’ve been on this earth a long time, long enough to have learned that most people are great. There are a few (and it only takes one) that seem to obliterate the positive vibes you rocked all day.

I have been a victim of the mudslingers more often than I can count. I’m not exactly sure why I float through life with a target on my back, but I must have the face of someone who can take it, cause I’ve taken…a lot. That said, I have picked up a few pointers that just might help those of us who are the sitting ducks for those disparagers.

1. Know your enemy

First, those cursing, teasing, or lashing out at you most likely have a chip on their shoulder that goes back a long way. They seem to think putting salt in your sugar bowl will make theirs sweeter. We all know it doesn’t, but for some reason, it brings them joy to bring someone else pain. There may not be anything you could do to stop their bullying, but you can walk away. Think of them like the wind, and you are a sail. They want to push, and you won’t give them the chance.

Some people out there are pushy and loud. They want to be heard. You can often witness them talking over someone else and inserting themselves when they’re not getting enough attention. I call this the third child syndrome. Child one and child two had it going on before child number three came along, and number three was always the odd man out. To give this comment some perspective, I recall this situation as a third child. Parents likely didn’t treat the third (youngest) child any differently, but siblings often are the ones who set the tone in this case. This is something that I pushed through as a child, but I can definitely feel the effects on me as an adult.

In social situations where those pushy and loud people happen to bulldoze a crowd, I would only suggest taking the high road. Don’t let them know you give a crap about their story and wander away to find a refreshment. Their flamboyance will dissipate when others realize their personality characteristics, too. Most certainly, don’t let them spoil your good time. Know that the problem is them, not you.

2. Those darn Narcissists

Wow, like it or not, they’re everywhere. I notice this in the younger generation more often than ever. This stems from parents who never think their children can do anything wrong, putting them on a pedestal like A Golden Child. We know that these people, parents and children, put their pants on one leg at a time, like most of us. Many of them are blessed with money or are CEOs, which gives them a wielding sword over many others, holding a lot of power. However, you and I know (yes, if you think about it) that they’ve been graced with circumstances different than the lion’s share of us. That doesn’t make them better people. It just puts them in a different category that doesn’t compare to our circumstances. No matter what, they (the narcissists) are still human, still have family issues, still have ego issues, and still put their pants on one leg at a time. The mistake regarding them is the angle at which you’re holding the lens. I suggest you change your angle.

3. The Big Fat Challenge

I think about Marty McFly against Biff. Marty was outsized and outnumbered, but he outsmarted him, and Biff looked like a fool. David was tiny compared to Goliath, but the adage, The bigger they are, the harder they fall comes into the picture. So often, we are faced with challenges, some of which seem monumental. How we face them defines us and molds our attitudes and personalities. Just because you have a challenge doesn’t mean you are disadvantaged; it has provided an opportunity. The power is in your hands.

4. You do you

Trust me, I know the answer to this one because I’ve fallen (been knocked out and dragged) into the miserable place these people want us all to be. Because of us, they seem to hold power over the average human, and you know what? We’re pretty darn cool. The average human being is remarkable in so many ways. My advice is just do you. If you want green hair, tattoos, long gray hair, or coffee twenty-four-seven, you should have it. We are tiny beings on the face of this earth, but we all make a mark. Are you going to let those nay-sayers make your mark for you?