Often when challenges confront us we ask, “How am I going to manage this?” Or perhaps we avoid a challenge because we do not want to ask that very question. This typical approach to matters solidifies circumstances whereby growth does not occur and status quo becomes chronic. There is another question you should ask yourself in place of the “how am I…” question that can lead to greater resolution when faced with challenge.The question you want to ask yourself when confronted with intimidating matters is, “How can I see myself as more?” Matters are intimating to you largely because your perception of yourself is less than the matter you are confronting; you see your problem as bigger than your capacity. You never realize the one dynamic that enables you to resolve almost anything that confronts you: your problem is finite, your self-perception is not. For example, if you need a certain amount of money, that is simply the amount of money needed – period. However, your perception of how capable you are to generate said amount is entirely subjective. No outside entity or force can control your self-perception and the degree you allow outside circumstances to influence your self-perception is entirely up to you.

Of course you cannot snap your fingers and resolve a problem; however, your self-perception of your capability does indeed promote or hinder a resolution. Here are four direct means of successfully approaching a problem that leaves you empowered in the process:

Solution #1 – Realize that circumstance does not trap; perceptions do
If you feel trapped by a situation, realize that feelings follow perception. Feelings are not abstract; they need a perception to induce them. When conventional wisdom reflects limited options to a challenge, inform yourself that, “there is a viable option.” Do not say this as some idle affirmation but rather, you are intentionally adjusting your perception so that you promote a feeling of opportunity rather than constriction. If circumstances influence you to feel (believe) you are trapped then the subsequent worry acts as metaphorical blinders blocking your perception to opportunity, motivation and solutions. On the other hand, if you mentally align with the idea that a viable solution exists you increase your mental availability to suitable opportunity.

Solution #2 – List Deductions
We all love listing deductions for tax purposes because that means more is remaining. Use this same tactic for self-inventory; begin a list deducting ten ways you underestimate yourself. This may sound a bit strange, but remember the goal is, as in tax deduction, for there to be more of your capability remaining!  If you recognize you are more capable than you realized, you become greater or equal in perception to the size of your challenge.

Solution #3 – Own It!
We tend to be doubtful of our capability and resolute in our perceived shortcomings. Begin owning whatever capabilities you recognize about yourself. Your capabilities will not become valuable to your situation until they become valuable to you. Begin an inventory of your assets – in any and every context you can think of (internal, external, circumstantially) – then intentionally and dutifully continue to focus on those assets until you begin to deprogram from the mental propaganda inferred from present constriction.

Solution #4 – Allow but do not wallow
Permit yourself to be daunted by seemingly overwhelming challenges but do not wallow in those feelings. Allowing yourself to be daunted by a problem permits time for the psyche to acclimate to an adequate solution. To wallow in feelings of intimidation, however, creates a “set-point” in the psyche normalizing the feelings of intimidation which then convinces you of inadequacy within yourself. Limiting circumstances become chronic because you unconsciously lull yourself into erroneously thinking that limiting circumstance are permanent and reflect personal inadequacy.

These solutions are not about having a positive attitude but are truly about the power of perception; self-perception to be exact. After all, one can merely have a positive attitude while still underestimating their capacity and thereby yield only minimal results. These solutions amount to increasing your self-perception which decreases your perception of the problem confronting you. This is your single advantage with any challenge before you; it is finite and your perception is not.

Never forget you are more than what has happened to you.