“The wise man doesn't give the right answers; he poses the right questions.”
Claude Levi-Strauss
There are moments in my life when I have felt so frustrated and overwhelmed. In these moments, it would be so easy to look for blame.
My husband had an affair, my boss is a jerk and doesn’t appreciate all the extra work I do, my kids don't respect me.
All those thoughts and this approach take power for change away from me.
At my first real job, the company decided they financially weren't approving any further overtime. As a result, there was no ability to do my job in fewer hours, so I suggested accruing additional time off instead of extra pay.
By being open and curious about another solution, I earned five months of additional pay beyond my last day of work. There is always an alternative if we have the right mindset.
The question I ask myself when feeling overwhelmed and frustrated is;
How did I get here?
This question allows me to become aware of the choices I am making. I may not have power over my husband having an affair, but I can be more aware of my marriage and its changing.
Awareness is the first step in change, and this question enables me to consider how to change where I am.
Have you found yourself asking this question?
I have found most of the time, I have changed; it is a result of asking myself a question. Being curious about ourselves and our lives enables us to consider a different approach.
Do you want to create the change in your life that moves you towards the life you desire, or do you want to react to the changes life will bring into your life? Because let’s face it, the only constant in our life change.
CL Landreth