Struggle

You are in a good place if you are struggling. It's a good place because reaching a new level of greatness will only come from going through a struggle. It's said that "Great strength is gained from great struggles." It's not the struggle that makes you successful but it's making it through the struggle and allowing the experience to improve and develop your character. Here are some areas to help clarify your times of struggle.

1. Purpose – In the midst of struggle, it's important to keep your reasons "why" you are on your journey ever present and clear. Your "why" should be big. So big that it encompasses any struggle. A general purpose to do something can come from almost anywhere - your parents, children, careers, spouses and so on. But your unique purpose is where you will easily thrive and grow.

Find your unique purpose. Make it clear, specific and concise. When found it will drive you from within. It will be a pulling that won't leave you alone. Work to align your tasks to match your unique purpose. You must never give up on why you are here.

2. Understand – There's an old saying that says, “In all the things you might aspire to go after, go after understanding first”. In other words, study to gain clarity for your struggles and how they can benefit you to be better. Keep an optimistic mindset.

There are two sides to every situation, look for the best. Be one that likes to find solutions to problems don't build on problems. No matter what you're dealing with develop a plan how to overcome the challenges you face. Struggles won't go away by avoidance. Work to gain an understanding to confront them with clarity.

3. Time-out - Constant blows will take anyone out. Even in the midst of a struggle find a moment to come up for air. If not physically take a mental break by thinking about the beauty of the sun or the soothing sound of the rain. A moment of focusing on something other than the struggle can help you endure the hard times you face.

Schedule some "me time". If your day is too full then try getting up a few minutes early to think and meditate on who you are. More can be accomplished by taking some time to regain yourself.

Summary - In the midst of struggles assess your purpose, seek to understand the bigger picture and take a daily time-out to refocus your thoughts. You can overcome your struggles by seeing them as a way to grow and improve.

---