How To Face Challenges In Life (With Confidence): 16 Ways

Want to know how to face challenges in life? Then you’re in the right place.

Everyone experiences difficulties in life. Even those who think they have everything in their grasp. So, how do people cope? How can you avoid giving up?

With some key skills and useful methods, we’ll help you shift your perspective and walk you through the steps you need to take to face it like a champ.

How To Face Challenges In Life:

1. Identify that you are in a difficult situation.

Many people dismiss the problems that come before them. They will convince themselves that the problem is not as big as it seems, or that it doesn’t exist at all.

You need to pay attention when you start thinking this way because it is true what they say: recognizing that you have a problem is the first step to solving it.

This is not a pleasant aspect of the process. Accepting that this problem is real and that you’re going to have to deal with it can be really scary.

If you are worried about what this task might mean for you, remember that you have faced and overcome almost every problem you have faced in your life so far. There is no reason to think that this time will be any different.

2. Make a choice.

In each task, the most important thing is to get on with solving the problem as quickly as possible. Every minute of inaction becomes an action on its own.

By doing nothing, you are still doing something. And it is likely that this something is not helping to solve the problem. When problems are left alone, they tend to multiply like rabbits.

The sooner you confront a problem, the easier it is to overcome.

3. Analyze the facts.

So, are you ready to take on this challenge? Great! It’s best to start by analyzing the facts.

What exactly do you know about the situation? Are you sure you understand what is going on?

Don’t just deal with the problem you think you’re dealing with; there may be something underlying the problem that you didn’t even know was a problem. Take some time to make sure you fully understand the problem.

This usually involves talking to other people, although with whom you talk depends on the circumstances.

Having difficulties at school? Set up an appointment with a teacher. Problems in the workplace? Talk to your supervisor or a colleague about it. Having problems in your relationship? Talk to your partner. Having health problems? Consult your doctor.

You get my point.

Making a list can be beneficial. A challenge is rarely a single task or difficulty, but rather a collection of issues. Make a list of smaller sub-challenges you face and what you will need to do to overcome them.

4. Make a list of your own resources.

Now that you know what you’re up against, consider what tools and resources you have available to help you overcome this obstacle. What resources are most relevant depends on your situation, but there are a few possibilities.

Consider your strengths, people who can help you, and any material assets you may have (such as money). You should also consider your weaknesses.

This will allow you to plan ahead so that you can compensate, or at least be prepared, in case something goes wrong. Be realistic about the positive and negative aspects of your situation; excessive optimism is not your friend here.

5. Look for additional information.

Now that you have a better understanding of the problem and know what resources are available to you, you can start looking for information that can help you. Learn more about the challenge you are facing.

Talk to other people who have had similar problems. The more you know about the facts, similar circumstances, and other people’s experiences, the easier it will be to make wise judgments about how to approach your own difficulties.

It will also keep you from feeling alone.

Going online and using Google to identify websites that deal with similar issues can provide a wealth of knowledge.

SEE ALSO: How To Get Back On Track After Losing Motivation: 17 Tips

6. Think about every option.

When we are anxious, we tend to see only a few options for overcoming a problem. You may think of your circumstances as “either this or that.”

However, this is rarely a realistic representation of your circumstances, and thinking about them in this way can be detrimental to your decision-making process. Examine your assumptions about what is really important and what the alternatives are.

Find paths that run parallel to the ones that are so clearly outlined in your head. Even if it’s not in line with what you expected, you may discover that taking a middle path or using a completely different path is better for you in the long run.

If you’re having trouble seeing a plan and coming up with a solution, talking to someone you trust is one of the easiest ways to get ideas. Seek help (1).

However, if you are on your own, think about your key objective (what you are trying to accomplish).

Is there any obstacle along the way that is preventing you from getting to your goal? Analyze the real goal now. Is there a method to get the same result? This may lead you down a different path.

7. Interact with others.

If the problem you have has something to do with other people, talking to them can help you solve many of your problems. Most of our problems come from not communicating as well as we should.

8. Seek guidance from a mentor.

When you are experiencing struggles, finding a mentor is one of the most effective ways to change your perspective on the circumstance. This can be a person, a website, or a book: anything that can provide you with guidance and motivate you to face your challenges.

Having a mentor can help you have a more enjoyable experience and improve the way you view what is happening in your life.

Don’t worry if you’re not great at talking to people or asking for help in person; online groups can fill that need.

9. Don’t give up until you find a solution.

The last essential element of dealing with life’s obstacles is simply to keep trying. Persistence is required. If you do not persevere, you will usually fail in your endeavors.

We do not recommend repeating the same steps, but you should not give up hope of finding a solution. If you keep an open mind, you can overcome any obstacle and improve any circumstance.

Accepting the inevitable is sometimes the best answer to a problem. Imagine that you have been diagnosed with a chronic illness and are facing a difficult situation.

Now is not the time to continue fighting the disease. The fact is that you are probably already stuck with it.

But in this case, the best medicine is to develop a sense of community and identification with those who are in a similar situation to you, and to learn to better accept and appreciate the positive things in your life.

10. Recognize that this, too, shall pass.

So now that this amazing challenge has come before you, it’s time to face it. How will you cope when something so awful happens to you? It is important to remember that time passes and things change.

Always.

The one thing that will never change is that the sun will rise every morning. No matter what you are going through, no matter how bad or permanent it seems, remember that you will not always feel this way.

Your challenge will not continue indefinitely. You will find a way to live on while new opportunities arise. Keep reminding yourself, “This too shall pass.”

SEE ALSO: How To Develop Productive Habits: 11 Most Useful Strategies

11. Remind yourself of all the good things in your life.

We tend to forget all the beautiful things in our lives when unpleasant things happen to us or when we worry. The world is a wonderful place, no matter how terrible things seem.

Make a list of the positive aspects of your life. Spend time with them and let those who love you know how much you love them.

This will not only keep you sane during this difficult time, but it may also help you discover ways to meet the challenge.

People often have trouble seeing the positive aspects of their lives. Allowing this to happen is not a good idea.

Don’t have a romantic partner? You still have relatives and friends. Don’t have many friends or family? You’re alive and have an amazing opportunity to go out into the world, meet new people, and have new experiences.

There is always some fantastic opportunity waiting for you to seize it.

12. Always be adaptable.

No matter what problem you are experiencing, being adaptable will make a significant difference in your ability to overcome it (2).

Imagine yourself as a fallen tree in a river. You can try to travel against the current, but eventually you will get tired and hit every stone in your path. If you go with the flow and change with each direction the river wants to take you, you will drift effortlessly until the river carries you to your resting place. 

13. Make your life meaningful.

You will find that overcoming any problem is easier when you have a purpose or find more meaning in your life. This is because it provides you with something to strive for, something to aspire to, or just something to inspire and make you happy.

Different approaches to this exist. You may set a goal, such as buying a house in five years. Some people become more religious because they seek comfort in their faith.

Some people volunteer because it gives them the strength to serve others. Create a plan that works for you.

It’s hard to find meaning when you don’t have any. As with most things in life, the best way is to try. You’ll know when you’ve found the right idea for you. Just keep your mind open to as many options as possible and don’t be afraid to go out and try new things.

14. Allow yourself to be tested.

It takes time to get used to dealing with stress. You will find that if you face more obstacles, it will be easier to deal with them.

You will never show yourself that you can face a challenge if you protect yourself and keep taking the easy way in life to avoid obstacles. Allow yourself to face difficulties.

Take opportunities that have a good chance of paying off. You will discover that you are capable of much more than you think.

It’s similar to learning to ride a bike: you have to get on the bike and learn to keep your balance, and you may get a few scrapes and bruises along the way, but every attempt will teach you something about staying upright.

You’ll never learn to ride if you get off the bike every time you lose your balance.

15. Be grateful for the difficulties you face.

When life throws you a challenge, remember to be grateful for it. Every obstacle you overcome will teach you something new about yourself.

It will become a part of who you are… and you are an amazing person. You are one of a kind and extraordinary, and it is because of the obstacles that you are that way.

You may be hurting right now, but remember that this struggle will make you a better person, even if you are worried and unhappy.

16. Have faith in yourself.

The most important thing you can do to overcome any obstacle is to trust in yourself. If you question yourself, you will falter.

You will make bad choices. Do you want to make wise choices? What you take away from this experience can be dramatically changed if you don’t believe in yourself.

Either you trust yourself and what you gain from the experience is ultimately positive, or you don’t believe in yourself and the experience is unpleasant because you see it as a failure on your part.

Which of these two experiences would you like to have?

Life can be so cruel sometimes that we don’t want to believe in ourselves. Please don’t let your misfortunes take away your amazing spirit. You are a powerful player.

Look at what you have accomplished so far! We know you will rise to the occasion and do so gracefully. We believe in you and are very proud of the person you have become. Just keep trying and remember to be great.

I want to thank you for taking the time to read my article about how to face challenges in life. I sincerely hope its contents have been a good help to you.

Przemkas Mosky
Przemkas Mosky started Perfect 24 Hours in 2017. He is a Personal Productivity Specialist, blogger and entrepreneur. He also works as a coach assisting people to increase their motivation, social skills or leadership abilities. Read more here