Life is a rollercoaster—full of highs, lows, and unexpected twists. Sometimes things go smoothly, and other times, we face setbacks that shake our confidence. It’s natural to want success and feel like a ‘winner,’ but the truth is, we can’t control everything. Challenges will always come our way, and the key to navigating them isn’t about avoiding them—it’s about how we respond.
Rather than getting caught up in self-doubt or frustration when things don’t go as planned, try these two simple strategies to shift your mindset and ensure you always come out ahead.
1. Focus on Your Strengths
Here’s a truth we often overlook: we are a mix of contradictions. Sometimes confident, sometimes uncertain. Sometimes determined, sometimes doubtful. Along with these ups and downs, we each have strengths and weaknesses that shape how we approach life. The problem? Most of us tend to dwell on our weaknesses rather than embracing our strengths.
A strength is something you consistently do well—something you’re naturally wired to excel at and enjoy. Maybe you’re great at solving problems, deeply empathetic, highly imaginative, or even a master at making the perfect omelet. Whatever it is, playing to your strengths is a game-changer.
When you focus on what you do well rather than fixating on where you fall short, you create momentum. Instead of feeling discouraged, you set yourself up for success. Leaning into your strengths not only helps you achieve better results but also minimizes the impact of any weaknesses. Simply put, when you work with what you have, you gain confidence and maximize your potential.
2. Set Yourself Up for Success
Sometimes, you can dive headfirst into a situation and crush it—especially when it aligns with your strengths. Other times, going in unprepared can lead to less-than-stellar results. No matter what challenges or opportunities arise, the key to success is setting things up in advance.
Start by asking yourself: What’s the ideal outcome? What result would make you feel accomplished? Get crystal clear on what success looks like for you and how it would feel to achieve it. Then, break it down into actionable steps:
- What do you need to put in place to create the outcome you want?
- What resources, knowledge, or support would be helpful?
- What small actions can you take today to make your desired result more likely?
The more intentional you are about preparing for success, the more likely you are to achieve it. By proactively shaping your circumstances, you increase your chances of getting the results you want—rather than leaving things to chance.
The Bottom Line
Life will always throw challenges your way, but you have the power to navigate them with confidence. By focusing on your strengths and setting yourself up for success ahead of time, you can take control of your outcomes and ensure you never truly ‘lose out’ again.
The best part? These strategies don’t just apply to big goals or major life decisions—they work in everyday moments too. Try them out, and watch how your mindset and results start to shift for the better.
