Have you ever wondered why, as we journey through the days of our lives, we continually encounter difficulties and problems that need to be solved? Have you ever thought that these problems only happen to you, or seem to happen to you more often? Some days I think that way. It seems like everything is going along smoothly, then suddenly one of my sons will call with an issue he is facing or a business transaction I'm working on will suddenly stall as an unforeseen problem arises. Sometimes it seems like an entire day can be a series of one small mishap after another, starting first thing in the morning.
I see each problem as an opportunity for self-growth, and when I reflect upon my past, I realize it is the difficulties I've faced that have given me many of the skills I use today when facing both business related and personal dilemmas.
Faced with an issue of any kind, I find myself reaching back into my realm of experiences and the knowledge I attained through those experiences to pass seamlessly through the new issue.
When I read the biographies of some of the most successful and accomplished people the earth has known, their lives are repleat with one difficulty after another on their road to success. Upon further study of these individuals, I see a consistent pattern in the way they handled the problems they faced.
They never take their problems personally. These people were wise enough to realize that problems occur on a consistent basis to everyone and it is how a person handles a problem that determines how successful they will be.
Successful people face problems dead on. They tackle them with humility, honesty and acceptance. They separate themselves from the problem and see that there are certain actions that can be taken that will help solve and surpass the problem. They realize that the problem is an external event, having nothing to do with who they themselves are.
They refuse to accept defeat. If one road to solving a problem leads nowhere, they try another one. They keep on trying.
They ask for help. They recognize that being prideful will stop a person from seeking the expertise of someone who has gone down this road before and would be willing to guide them, if they ask with an open heart and mind. The majority of people around us love to pass on their experiences and knowledge to help out a fellow traveller on life's road. Remember John Donne's saying 'No man is an island, entire to himself'.
They recognize that they are only human and may make more mistakes while trying to solve the problem. When they fall down, they get back up and continue on. If they do happen to make a mistake while attempting to solve the problem, they are not harsh with themselves. Sometimes they openly laugh at their own mistakes and often they forgive themselves for being human afterall.
They don't let the opinions of other people paint the picture of who they themselves are.Conversely,they cultivate strong intrapersonal skills and are their own strongest supporter.
They recognize that the judgements of other people are 99.9 % about those people themselves and have nothing to do with who or what they are judging.
They are quick to make decisions and seize upon an opportunity when they come across it. Once they've made a decision, they persist until they've reached their goal. The biggest roadblock to success is not deciding what you really want. Once you've decided, commit it to paper.
In addition, although they recognize that they are only human, they never lose sight of the fact that as humans, we were given a great many tools and gifts that are available to us should we wish to use them in helping to solve any problem we may face.
Amongst these are:
Intuition
An interactive universe that responds when we open ourselves to the greater life force that surrounds and is within us.
Books and internet sources that may provide the answers we are seeking.
Family and friends who may have passed down this road before us and are always willing to lend a loving ear and advice.
Last, but not least, people from all walks of life, who although we may not know them, have been through what we are facing and if we approach them, they will provide assistance to us as we seek an answer to our problem.
Napoleon Hill, one of history's greatest thinkers and wisest men, had a great deal to say about success and has helped millions of people the world over. For a sampling of Napoleon's wisdom and to renew your well of motivation, watch the video below.
Never doubt that all of the tools you require to achieve absolutely anything you wish to achieve in life are close at hand, and are free to those who have determined what it is they REALLY want out of life.
Jo-Anne Smith, the author of this article, is a REALTOR® with Royal Lepage ProAlliance Realty, Brokerage, in Belleville, Ontario and welcomes your real estate inquiries. To contact her, visit www.QuinteRegionRealEstate.com
60 Comments on Opportunities Often Come Disguised as Problems-Raising Your Success IQ
Jo, What a wonderful post. And very true. There are many falls in life (and I'm a bit slower getting back up these days) but I do know you have to keep heading to where you want to be...no matter what. I hope people persue their dreams, dreams become realities. Thanks for the wonderful post.
Wow, Jo-Anne! You once again raised the level of your writing and message. This is a timely & timeless read for not only Real Estate Professionals, but anyone traveling through this life. Your motivating influence is undeniable. Thank you for that. I firmly believe that tough times breed tough people and wise souls.
Carole, You do an amazing job at continually striving upwards with your business and personal life, no matter what hardships come your way. I'm totally in awe of your strength and determination. You set one of the finest examples for those working towards achieving their dreams of anyone I've ever known.
Thanks! I appreciate your comment very much and did I tell you that I'm very glad to see you stayed in AR? I need to get over and visit your posts more often.....they always bring a whole different way of viewing life to my eyes; and this, my friend, is a VERY good thing.
Hi Jo, what an awesome post. it took me a few years to figure out that problems were simply ways to get creative, challenges that made me push myself in new directions! It's not always easy to see at the time but in retrospect, "problems" was my best teacher!
Hi Jo, As I was reading your post and nodding my head in agreement a quote kept coming to me and I could not quite remember exactly how it went. But thanks to the internet, I found it.
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"Every problem has a gift for you in its hands." Richard Bach
I guess this is partly the reason I love talking with and getting to know older people so much...especially those who have been through so many difficulties in life and kept on keeping on. They abound with so much wisdom and gentleness and I find them so calming to be around. Not to say that you're 'old', mind you.....you're just a youngster! Although you've fast forwarded in the wisdom department since you recognized that 'problems' were your best teacher.
I believe that my best teacher has always been 'problems' too! ((-:
Hi Jo....I was so glad to see a "Jo" inspirational post. I have missed them.
I do so agree.... I am definately one of those people who thinks"just one more day""only a little bit longer" and "tomorrow is another day".Some days are harder than others...but I do usually hang in there. But failure makes victory all the sweeter....
Me too! (reiterating Joan's comment) It is ALWAYS in the manner of how I handle the problem is what matters. Beautifully written insight and a grand reminder for me to keep in touch with the success that lies from within :)
Jo-Anne, great post with ways to overcome the problems that we face! I really like the not taking problems personally, which is one of my greatest weaknesses. Thanks for sharing your insight with us!
Napoleon Hill is one of the greatest thinkers of our time. He's written a very famous book called 'Think and Grow Rich' and I believe everyone should read this book at least once.
I haven't heard that quote before...thank you! I really enjoy Richard Bach's books. My brother just gave me 'The Bridge Across Forever' and I finished reading it not too long ago. His books are always filled with so much wisdom. Remember 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull'?
Thanks Sally! Your way of handling problems shines through with all of that courage, wisdom and strength that emanates from within you and leaves it's mark on all you do. We're just a few of the lucky ones who get to see this in action on a regular basis and benefit from it...
Jo-Anne, I got sucked in and watched the whole video, I hope others do.
He is such a great man and what a wonderful mentor to many, his book is timeless. There are some good quotes there, that I didn't remember, I think I'll favorite this is YouTube to use as a refresher.
What a great post. Doesn't surprise me Jo-Anne coming from you :-)
This stood out the most for me: They ask for help. We are all adults, we are all hard workers, yet there are times in all of our lives when we should reach out for help. Love the saying "It takes a village". I've always felt it shouldn't apply to raising children only, but to all of us to help each other.
Terrific post I love how you tied in your experiences with what we know to be true of accomplished people... I also of course love that you mentioned Napoleon Hill :-)
Thanks for your nice comment and I'm glad this post was helpful to you. BTW, of course you can add me as an associate....I tried to return your email and it bounced due to your account being full.
Jo, A HUGE congratulations on a very well deserved feature! Your writings are incredible and you always have such powerful things to say to help us all.
I really enjoyed that post. Like most others I've had a challenging week. Now I have the inspiration to attack that list of things I need to do (so many things so little time). Have a great Labor Day Weekend.
Humans are certainly unique.....now if only they would use more of that reasoning ability and wisdom. Thanks for visiting and I hope you and your family have a great weekend,
I wonder why we so easily forget to use the things we already know? You stated it exactly like it is and hence one of the reasons I write these posts...to remind myself.
Thanks! I hope your weekend goes much better than your week and you are able to tackle many of those things that need doing while still taking time out for you.
I used to read Napoleon Hill years ago and you have reminded me of why I need to go find those books, dust them off and READ them .. and APPLY them! thank you!
Thanks, Jo-Anne. We all need to be reminded of these things. Somewhere I have a book that inspired me in many of the same ways. I think it was called Failing Forward, and one of the themes was the need to fail in order to succeed, and to learn to handle problems, which can often be turned to advantages. I must dig out that book and read again. Meanwhile I will use your post to inspire me. Thanks.
Sometimes the doors that are opening just appear right before us...I guess the trick is learning to recognize the right ones from the wrong ones. Or, making the best of where-ever the new door takes us to.
Thank you! I'm glad that you were able to take something of value from my post....the book you mentioned sounds very interesting and like one I would like to read. Thanks for mentioning it.
Thank you for this inspiring post. My daughter just started High School recently and I'm going to share this with her. I wish you much success...and thanks again.
Jo, I so love your packed and powerful posts about life and how we navigate through it. I thought about how life is really very neutral with regard to how we feel toward what is happening to us. Making decisions rather quickly is definitely a key to success.
Thank YOU for your kind words of support and also for thinking highly enough of this article to send it to your daughter.....I hope she is able to learn something from it that helps her as she begins this new part of her life.
Thank you for your words of support with regards to my posts...you're a man of great wisdom and similarly, I take away so much by reading your many outstanding inspirational and helpful posts.
That's a good way to put it 'life is very neutral'...how true. Life doesn't take into consideration if we do or we don't , either way it is moving forward, with or without us.
Your blog was just what I needed. I have been finding life more filled with problems and obstacles lately, many of which I cant seem to solve the way I used to. Needless to say, I've become discouraged at times, actually giving up which is not quite my persistent nature. Perhaps the blog will help me get back on track with how I view our journey called life..
Thank you for stopping by to let me know that reading this helped you. I'm very grateful for this. I'm sorry to hear that life has been trying you lately and that sometimes you just feel at a loss for what to do....I hope that the thoughts in this post give you some strength to go on and perhaps a bit of guidance on what to do when you reach those areas of your life that are most difficult.
Thanks Kathy! I believe that we see the world as 'we' are, not as the world is, and I consider myself a constant work in progress......although some days it seems there are more steps backwards, than forwards. (((-: Jo
A friend of mine recently shared with me his grandmother's wisdom. She told him to get a Qtip and carry it around with him throughout the day...to remind him to Quit Taking It Personal.
Jo-Anne Smith- Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga Region Real Estate, Ont
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When I first became a licensed REALTOR® over 11 years ago, my instructor said to me as I was leaving the class for the last time, 'Now your real education begins !' How right she was ! Every day in real estate is different and the stories are many !
Jo-Anne Smith- Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga Region Real Estate, Ont (Sutton Group - Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage)
Conversely,they cultivate strong 
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Jo, What a wonderful post. And very true. There are many falls in life (and I'm a bit slower getting back up these days) but I do know you have to keep heading to where you want to be...no matter what. I hope people persue their dreams, dreams become realities. Thanks for the wonderful post.