5 Tips to Turn Any Situation Around

When life challenges us it can be easy to lose ourselves in a downward spiral of “why me” and “woe is me”. We direct our energy in negative places, clouding our judgement and keeping us from our ability to turn any given situation around.

Here are 5 helpful tips to help get you back on track and into a more positive frame of mind when you need it:

1. Smile. What makes you smile? What thoughts warm your spirit? We get so swept up in our lives, we forget how something as simple as a smile can turn it all around – and inspire the same of those around us. Every interaction we have is an opportunity to be a role model to someone else. Smiles are contagious. They require a small effort and can have a big impact. Challenge yourself to make a conscious effort to smile more often. Tap in to those thoughts that bring you joy. Watch how it can change your life and the lives of those around you. Life is a beautiful gift and there is so much to smile about. You can change your world for the better – so do so, one smile at a time.
2. Use your ability to visualise for the positive. We have an incredible power to visualise situations invisible to the eye. Unfortunately, we overuse this creative ability to imagine the countless ways things could go wrong. We do it to prepare and protect ourselves from the worst when in reality, that can’t be done. Our thoughts and energy become wasted on things that can only create fear and anxiety towards the unknown. It’s time to start using visualisations for the good things we want in life. What would you like to happen in your life? What do you want your life to look like a year from now? Create it in detail, with specifics. Write it down. Allow the universe to conspire with you in achieving it. Own it and make it happen.
3. Trust the universe. Everything happens for a reason. Trust that the universe is working in your best interest and be open to its help. If things didn’t go the way you planned, trust that something better is on its way. Know that every situation we encounter is an opportunity for growth. Our beliefs manifest as our experiences and as soon as we recognise this, we will see that we are in control of our lives and fear is simply a roadblock that can be overcome.
4. Accept what is, without attachment. It is normal for us to want to plan, to imagine our future. What is not normal is assuming that everything will turn out exactly the way we planned. The trouble is that we grow attached to our plans, to our ideas of how things should be. Learn to let go, and if you cannot let go, then let be. Learn from your past so you can heal your present and thrive in your future.
5. Be Grateful. There is so much to be grateful for, but we forget what we already have in our search for more. Instead of seeing our “have nots”, we need to see all that we do have. We need to stop talking about our problems and instead focus on the things that we are grateful for. “The secret to having it all, is realising you already do.”

Ultimately, the quality of our life comes down to choices we make. Trust that when you give yourself half a chance, the answers will come to you. If you pay close attention, life’s challenges are there to remind us of the things we have forgotten. They can remind us of the kindness in others. They can also remind us of the kindness we so dearly need to be giving ourselves when life gets us down. They can keep us humble, teaching us not to get ahead of ourselves and to appreciate the journey. They can teach us about courage, which we need in order to pick ourselves up and keep going. And they can remind us of how well we know love and how badly we want to be loved – though ultimately we have to start by loving ourselves. Every moment is an opportunity to turn things around for the better.