We humans love our plans. They make us feel safe and warm, but what happens when those plans fall apart?
For me, I used to fall apart whenever my day didn’t work out as intended. I would run around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to figure out what I should do next.
Those panicked states would zap my time and energy and prevent me from searching for a solution. Once my meltdown was over, I was exhausted and a majority of my day was gone.
I had to come up with a better way to handle life when it got out of hand. So I went on a search to figure out how to pivot when things didn’t go my way and to help prevent others from being stuck in the same negative cycle I was in.
Along the journey, I discovered some wonderful options and even made some stark realizations about myself.
Below are the top three questions to ask yourself when your plans are a bust. These questions will leave you feeling more empowered and in control of your life.
1. How do you want to feel?
When life seems to get out of your control, the first thing many of us do is spiral into the valley of negativity. Instead, stop, take a deep breath, and get clear about how you’d rather feel. Start to focus on that feeling and look for ways to achieve that feeling in the present moment.
2. What are your goals?
When your plans go awry it’s easy to lose focus from your main purpose. Take this time to connect back to what you said was important and why. Doing this has allowed me to get back on track and search for new options to achieve my goal without staying in the valley of despair.
3. What’s good?
I know this one sounds hokey, but gratitude is huge in being able to pivot when your day shifts. When life gets messy you need the ability to switch your perspective and see the good. Shifting your perspective to see what’s good will allow you to flow through the shift.
Taking the time to answer these questions will allow you to regain focus and control of your day faster when life forces you to pivot. Remember, this is not about never spiraling out of control when life shifts but about regaining your focus faster to get back on track.
