The inspiration for today’s post came from two separate events that occurred over the weekend. I happen to see the movie “Coach Carter” and also complete reading a memoir “Greenlights”.  The findings are as follows:-

In the movie “Coach Carter” and the memoir “Greenlights,” the main characters, played by Samuel L. Jackson and Matthew McConaughey, respectively, are presented with challenging tasks. In “Coach Carter,” Jackson’s character gives a basketball player, played by Rick Gonzalez, an impossible task to complete in order to secure a spot on the team. Gonzalez’s character, Timo Cruz, accepts the challenge and although he falls short of the assigned tasks, he secures a place on the team. Similarly, in “Greenlights,” McConaughey’s character is challenged to a wrestling fight in an African village against the champion of four neighbouring villages. He accepts the challenge, despite not being a wrestler by profession. Although the outcome of the match is not important here; but the lesson to be learned is to embrace the challenge, rather than the result of the contest.

Both of these examples show that challenges are not presented to us to ace, but to know and understand ourselves.

Challenges are an integral part of life that help us to grow and learn. Whether it be in our personal or professional lives, facing and overcoming challenges, obstacles daily dose of problems as we call them, helps us to discover our true nature making us feel more connected about self and understanding our own capacities; I also aids us to upscale and add on to our skills.

The most common challenge in everyday life is setting and achieving of personal goals.

For example, setting a goal to exercise regularly or lose weight can be a difficult task, but by accepting the challenge of having a regular exercise routine and working towards it; necessarily by creating an environment, we are able to improve our physical health and learn more about our own willpower and determination. Similarly, setting a goal to read a set number of books or learn a new language/skill can be challenging, but by accepting the challenge, we are able to improve our knowledge in that specific area. Another example of a challenge in everyday life is juggling through life as we deal with difficult people or situations. We all have to deal with difficult co-workers, family members, or friends at some point in our lives. These challenges can be emotionally taxing, but by accepting the challenge and finding healthy ways to cope, we can learn more about our own emotional resilience and fine tune our communication skills.

Challenges can also come in the form of unexpected events or changes in our lives. For example, losing a job or facing a financial crisis can be a difficult challenge to overcome. But by accepting the challenge and working to find a solution, we are able to learn more about our own resourcefulness and adaptability.

How does one win over challenge?

It is as simple as it gets, we have to accept the challenge! That’s all, once we have accepted the challenge our body and mind will work in tandem to do the needful to manifest the demands of the challenge.

We usually find it hard to accept a challenge because, we generally try to find an easy way out. Our brains primitively has been wired to navigate this universe of challenges through the easiest option available at the moment. Hence in every situation the one of the easiest option is; not to work out a solution to the challenge until necessary and take the path of least resistance. But only after we accept the situation the way it has presented to us, without any prejudices and judgements; our brain will work towards finding a solution to the challenge at hand.

All we have to do is keep ourselves in preparedness for the challenges that life throws at us.

I keep myself in preparedness for the upcoming challenges is by:-Creating a conducive environment and having a daily regime, cultivated out of valuable habits curated worthy of my life and goals. A conducive environment for growth and the acceptance of challenges is created when we set up and maintain the tiny and many habits that enrich our everyday lives. Slowly, passionately, patiently, methodically and regularly we start accepting challenges and not see them as a bad omen but a welcome sign of growth and prosperity.

Until next time……