Challenges in our lives are important as they provide opportunities for growth on multiple levels. Growth opportunities provided from challenges include personal and professional, mental, emotional, and spiritual. When a challenge arises we can embrace it and pursue pathways to meet and overcome the challenge, or we can run from it, literally or figuratively.
When we meet or accept a challenge, healthy endorphins are released by the brain promoting a beneficial and encouraging state of mind. This positive outlook helps a person overcome the challenge before him/her. Endorphins have been described as the body’s natural pain reliever. When released they produce positive, happy emotions.
When engaged in any challenge, all positive sensations promote encouragement which can lead to higher capacity in overcoming the challenge. If you are challenged by your doctor to lose 30 pounds due to increasing health risks, it may be difficult to get overly enthused about change in diet and exercise. However, every positive small result promotes this opportunity for growth (better health).
Every victory inside a challenge, big or small, builds confidence in completing or overcoming the challenge. Each challenge overcome builds self-confidence. Along with this self-confidence you build your inner-trust, trust in your ability to overcome future challenges.
Additional benefits of overcoming challenges include building your skills, talents, and expertise in the area of the challenge. Overcoming a leadership challenge will assist you in building your leadership skillset. It is important to take mental note (at least) of all the small learning points while endeavoring a challenge.
Building your skillset will increase your leadership ability and your awareness of potential similar challenges. Do not be intimidated about learning through challenges. Whether facing leadership, parenting, health or any other challenge, new or improved methods and discipline will always benefit you in future situations and challenges.
So whether you are facing internal challenges (fear, impatience, lack of confidence) or external challenges (insufficient resources, health, or social issues) determine to meet challenges head on. Those challenges have a beneficial advantage for you and those in your life.
Determine to accept all challenges as opportunities for growth on multiple levels in your life.
George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.