How to View Challenges as Opportunities
Tips to Reframe Your Mindset and Open New Doors
Have you ever seen a plant growing in the middle of the concrete path? It causes you to tilt your head and question, how did it ever have a chance to grow in that environment?
And yet there it is, thriving where everything we know suggests that it never should have taken root.
We’ve all been in a difficult situation at work. Less-than-ideal leaders, heavy workloads, toxic environments, mergers and acquisitions - the list goes on. Sometimes, you feel like you’re helpless, like there is no way to grow in the current environment. Other times you feel defeated, like there’s no point in even trying to take root.
But you have potential, and just like nature, you have the ability to overcome when things seem impossible. Start with changing your mindset, so that you view challenges as opportunities for growth instead of setbacks.
How My Experience Can Help You
Years ago, I went through a “merger” which was really just an acquisition. Originally, they assured everyone that we would all have a place to go. Then the CEO and CFO left. They told us that it was because they already had a CEO and CFO and that they didn’t need them, but they still needed us at the lower level.
And then the changes came:
First, they said that everyone would need to drive to their office, with the possibility of financial assistance to move. The company that bought us was located an hour South, so it made sense to close our corporate office and join them. But then it became, if you can’t relocate closer, you were out of a job.
Next they fired our accountant and our 2 accounts payable ladies. I remember watching the tears streaming down their face as they were escorted out.
Then they moved my Controller into a small cubical and told him that they had a place for him, but needed help with record keeping while they worked on transferring all of our data into their systems. A week later they let him go. I think he knew it was coming. You could see the defeat in his demeanor that entire week.
The only reason I wasn’t fired was because I had learned so much in 1 year at the company that I knew how to do Accounts Receivable, Inventory, Accounts Payable, Journal Entries, General Ledger, how to reconcile and do end-of-month close, and review financial statements. They kept me because I knew more about every section of the business than anyone else. I was their go-to for all questions about the company.
Throughout the merger, I positioned myself in a way that I became valuable. I learned new skills as quickly as I could and shadowed others for a chance to do what they did. And it paid off for a while. But sometimes, even good opportunities come to an end.
One day, as I spoke to the CFO about new opportunities for me, I was told that I made too much money and that no one at my level made what I made. It was a huge red flag for me (I later discovered that they severely underpaid all of their employees). I immediately looked for a new job before I became the next on the chopping block.
Changing Your Mindset
In every difficult life challenge I’ve had, there is one thing I say:
Everything will be ok, one way or another.
And that is the mindset shift you should make in order to view challenges as opportunities instead of setbacks.
Sometimes things don’t go as we plan, and doors close leaving us questioning “now what?” But just like the quote said, just because that door closed doesn’t mean there isn’t another way. And that new path just might be exactly what you needed.
Where to Start
Here are some things to consider when your work environment doesn’t seem conducive to your progress:
Where can you lend your experiences and expertise to open a new door?
Can you move to another department or under new leadership?
Have you discussed your personal career goals with your management and asked for support and guidance?
What can you remove from your plate, or give it to someone else, to allow yourself to focus?
If you’ve tried everything to improve your workload, stress, and your performance/position, have you considered looking elsewhere?
One of my favorite quotes when things get rough at work is “when God closes a door He opens a window.”
The world and life aren’t always going to be beautiful and perfect - and if you’ve landed in a place that truly cares about you and your future, then hold on to it and be grateful for it daily. Not many are so fortunate.
It’s up to you to use every closed door as an opportunity to find your new path, instead of looking at it as the end of the road.
If you have a lack of true priorities, too much to do and too little done, a budget thrown out the window, and your people are burnt out, then this guide is for you.
In it, we'll dig into:
5 common myths and mistakes and what you should do instead
Quick steps to get you implemented in 90 days
Discussion points for every area of your business, inside and out
Ready to improve your resiliency?
If you want to go deeper with me, then subscribe to my Substack to receive the more specific training via email! I’ll be posting insights, exercises, and more on Substack in upcoming weeks!
If you know someone that’s struggling and in need of some resiliency, please do share the post and publication!
This is all excellent advice for the chaotic times we live in.