By Ahmed al-Akber/Manama
The next time you are faced with a problem or any type of adversity, take a moment to find the opportunity in it. It’s true that the worst obstacles we face are the best lessons for us. They make us grow the most, and sure they can be terrible at the time, but looked at with an objective, non-emotional viewpoint, we can find the good in it, and even come out stronger.
We can’t always choose what happens to us, but we can choose how we react, and our reactions determine whether we move forward or are defeated by the obstacle. So which reactions are up to us? Our thoughts, our emotions, our attitude, and whether we can maintain our cool and even find a sense of humour at the right moment. These reactions provide a sense of creativity and perspective that will help you identify ways to overcome and even come out stronger from the problem.
Two years ago, I lost a potentially-lucrative deal with a prospect at a time when I needed the extra revenue for my business. Although at first I was naturally disappointed, I used the experience as a way to learn and even enhance my relationship with the prospect. I set a meeting with him to find out what about our bid was not as good as the competition’s, and what we could have done to enhance the prospect’s purchase experience.
A year later, I got a call from the same contact at that company that had now moved on to a larger, global firm. This time he needed help in four times as many markets, and the process of selling to him was much simpler: we had an established rapport together, and even though he hadn’t bought from me before, the way I handled our last interaction seemed to leave him with a favourable impression of me. I won the deal, and we continue to work together.
When an obstacle gets in their way, many people might give up, or spend time and energy ruminating or complaining about it. Successful people are able to find a way over, around, or through the obstacle, often achieving greater success than they would have otherwise.
To achieve similar results, we must find the good in the bad. Consider this technique to overcome your obstacle, whether it’s a personal or business one:
1) Describe the problem or challenge. What is it that stands in your way? How does it affect you?
2) Describe your thoughts. Do you believe this obstacle has defeated you? Even if you feel it slightly, make a note of it.
3) Describe your feelings. What consequences do these thoughts have on how you react? For example, when faced with the same obstacle, do you get anxious or are you better prepared?
4) Now, dispute those thoughts. Take the negative thinking that you may be experiencing about the obstacle and flip it on its head. View it from all angles: where is the good that has come from this situation? Victor Frankl, a psychiatrist that endured terrible hardship in Nazi concentration camps while having his family killed during World War Two wrote: “Man does not simply exist but always decides what his existence will be, what he will become the next moment.”
5) Now, how do you feel? If you pay attention to how you feel, you should feel lighter and more energised. The obstacle which got you down or was nearly about to defeat you doesn’t seem so bad, and there may be some opportunities that you find from the different angles you’ve viewed it at. You’ll be less likely to give up, and your reactions to similar obstacles won’t be as challenging.
♦ Ahmed al-Akber is the managing director of ACK Solutions, a firm that helps companies to improve their marketing and sales results by offering more effective ways attracting customers and significantly better products and services. Ahmed has worked internationally in marketing, sales, and strategic planning at companies such as the Coca-Cola Company, Philip Morris International and Dell. Questions or comments can be sent to Ahmed on [email protected]
Ahmed al-Akber
