[success]When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another and ourselves. ~ Jack Kornfields[/success]
It happens to us all. We get caught off guard by something or someone and suddenly we’re off track.
Last week I got caught up in an unexpected and frustrating event that drew me in and took up my whole day.
It took up my whole day, because I allowed it to; making my life a whole lot more complicated than it need be. And I wasn’t feeling too happy.
I’d forgotten that happiness doesn’t mean there are no problems to manage, it means not connecting feeling good to resolving ongoing, annoying experiences.
None of us are immune from getting caught up but it doesn’t mean you should forget you’ve handled annoying, frustrating situations before…or that you’re still strong enough to handle them now. And it doesn’t mean the entire experience was a waste of time.
When you find yourself no longer focused on what really matters, or on what’s valuable to you, the experience isn’t wasted if you become aware that changes need to be made.
Your present and future depend on creating new habits and new ways of looking at old issues.
Living as your greatest self means paying attention to the unnecessary distractions that hijack your attention. Consider it part of the growth process.
We’re not perfect, our world probably isn’t perfect either. As you can tell I’m most certainly not perfect and I’m okay admitting it.
But we can all turn those ‘off track‘ moments into opportunities to let go of habits or old patterns that eat up a huge amount of our time and contribute very little to our happiness.
If you’re ready to give up the old way for the new, get yourself back on track…and stay there, try these tips on for size.
1. Live and learn
Sometimes by falling back we find ourselves moving forward. Each mistake you make is simply evidence that you’re trying. Don’t beat yourself up. Listen to the message. Fight and fume if you must. But don’t believe that because something knocked you off your feet you have to stay there.
Stop weighing yourself down with things that are out of your control.
It’s up to you to pick yourself up, it’s up to you to decide what you now want. No one can do it for you. No one will care as much as you if you don’t live your dream. it’s all up to you.
Choose how to view your experience. Look around when you know you’re off track. Pay attention. Remind yourself you’ve got this handled.
You can spend time creating the life you want or living the life you don’t want. It’s entirely up to you. If you’re going to create a storm there’s no point in getting upset when the days turn dark and it chucks it down with rain.
2. Don’t forget you’re human
On those tough days when you know you’ve messed up, when you’ve wasted your day and it’s challenging dealing with the fallout, remind yourself that you’ve got through bad days before. You can’t get back on track when your mindset is one of annoyance or anxiety because you fell of the path.
Remind yourself you have a history of coming out the other side, and you will smile again.
Your destination isn’t always a place, sometimes it’s just seeing the same thing from a new perspective. Connect to the energy of something wonderful coming out of each experience, and you’ve got a greater chance of most rough days ending up being more of a blessing than bad fortune.
3. Find your way back through awareness
Give yourself a pat on the back for being aware enough to recognize something isn’t going the way you want it to. Being aware allows you to put something in place to prevent a recurrence.
Take pride in the fact that knowing you’re off track is the first step to getting back.
Getting caught up in experiences means we can’t see the wood for the trees. With awareness comes the chance to put some space between you and troubling events. You’re giving yourself a chance to view the whole thing with new eyes. And once your eyes are open you’ll discover there are stars hiding behind the clouds.
Your new found awareness means you’re flexing your inspiration muscles and supporting your growth as a person. Be easy with yourself, you’re in the process of becoming.
4. Hush the clamouring mind
It isn’t the frustrating experiences that cause our problems. It’s the clatter and noise our mind makes about the events that are the true cause of our troubles.
The underlying choice is simple. “Do you want to be happy, or do you not want to be happy?”
Decide this and suddenly you’ll discover you’re back on track. Your path has been cleared of some of the junk that creates obstacles, because ultimately the power within you is always greater than any barrier you might encounter.
True growth is the moment you decide to let go of what’s not okay and look AT the challenges instead of getting lost IN them. Stop allowing the noisy voice within to dictate how you’re going to handle your experiences. Instead decide you’re going to feel happy no matter what.
Once you’ve made that commitment you’ll notice it becomes harder and harder to get lost in the problems and challenges of the day.
5. Reclaim your power
You are the only hope in your world. No one is coming to save you. You must save yourself. You can change the way you feel in an instant by switching your focus. Reclaim control over your life and get out there and shine.
Learn to interrupt the pattern of thinking that takes you off track by asking new, more empowering questions of yourself.
What’s going to happen if I don’t do something differently?
How will my life be different if I changed something right now?
Is there any way I can improve the situation right now?
What in me is bothered by this situation?
Stop stepping into the melodrama of life and choose instead to distance yourself from the part of you that enjoys it. Stuff happens and being bothered by it doesn’t change it, doesn’t make it go away so why shouldn’t you just be happy, regardless?
Understand that you are the maker and creator of your experiences, at some level; and each experience is valuable to you, mirroring your beliefs about the world. Trust yourself, trust your intuition, and trust that there is value in all that happens. You have the power to change direction when you need to.
Find something in every experience that you can feel good about and keep your attention on that. However hard you have to look. However small, there’s something to be found.
Your greatest self is, as it is for most of us, permanently under construction. Enjoy the process, reach beyond the safe and familiar, remembering sometimes it’s the moments that take us off track that breathe fresh purpose and determination into our life.
You probably have your own stories to share on this topic. I’d love to hear what works for you…so be sure to leave a comment below and let me know.
If you enjoyed this, please share on your favorite social network. Each share or like helps to reach more people who might be looking for a little practical and positive encouragement in their life. And we can all use that. Right?
Encourage one another.
Love Elle
14 Comments
I love the emphasis of this post, Elle: getting off-track is part of the process of growth and nothing to be alarmed about. We just need to take correct action as soon as we realize we’re going in the wrong direction and it doesn’t help to be hard on ourselves. I agree, perspective makes all the difference in the world!
Hi Sandra…we’re in sync again. Funny how, coming from somewhat different perspectives we end up together on the road! 🙂
Oh girl, I think I lost 3 weeks. I was so wrapped up in my work and getting a project done and now all of that time is GONE. I need to learn how to manage that better. Balance is so important and I know this to my soul but somehow I totally got caught up in the 3 week moment… Thanks for this post. soaking it all in.
It’s easily done Melissa. And being aware is such a great tool to give us some breathing room to ask…’WHAT?’ Where the heck was I and then move on. It’s comforting to know that it’s all part of the process of growth, isn’t it? 🙂
This is most certainly the best tip I have seen on getting back on track. I love the points that you have raised and I think that everyone will definitely be energized by your message. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Ikechi – so glad you enjoyed the post and I like the idea of energizing others! 🙂
Thanks for a great article. #5 resonate with me more because I have to constantly remind myself when things get rough that I will have to save myself since there is no one coming to save me.
Trying to live your dream is not easy but with hard work and perseverance I am sure I can make it since many others before have done so.
This is a great read. Thanks
Welcome Rosa…we’re so happy to have you join in the conversation. And I’m truly happy you enjoyed the post. You’re not on your own with #5, believe me. I’d actually like someone to do the saving on my behalf so I could just sit back on silk cushions and eat strawberries and cream…but as you say perseverance makes all the difference. When people ask me how I’ve done what I’ve done I always say persistence is the only trick I know! 🙂
I loved “if your stirring up a storm, don’t get upset when it gets dark” um. yeah. Great advice Elle. Thanks for the reminder of my empowerment of me.
Hi Lindy…lovely to see you again and I’m looking at those fried mashed potato cakes with some longing! You are brilliant my friend. 🙂
I love this, Elle! I was faced with a situation a few days ago that in the past, would have made me moody all day. I think I handled it pretty well by acknowledging and moving on! I didn’t dwell on it and let it ruin my day! Thanks for your awesome words!
We must have been on the same page Cher…and many congrats to you for shaking it off and moving on. 🙂
What an inspiring post. This will surely help me stay on track.
Hi Sayid and thanks for your encouraging words, I’m happy the article is helpful to you, and it’s lovely to have you join our community. 🙂