Getting Through
Tough Situations

A Newsletter Valuing Change

July/August/September 2009

Next time get it delivered	Newsletter Archive

Getting Through Tough Situations

Getting through difficult situations is not only possible but, with enough time and the right attitude, likely. Keep the following in mind to help you get through adversity:

Let go of being a victim.
Take responsibility for your part in what is happening to you.
Be open to what you can and must do next.
Learn from this; really think about what you will do differently because of the situation.
Think creatively. What can you do to turn the situation around or look at it differently?
Seek help from others to figure out what to do.
Take small steps, but do take steps to improve or change your situation.
Come up with a plan to see you through.
Be open to opportunities you never thought of before.
Be persistent and determined in continuing to do the things that will work when the situation turns around.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify.
Turn to pursuits that feed your soul while waiting for things to improve.
Don't get discouraged; keep your spirits up.
Appreciate what is going well.
Alter your expectations.
Choose a positive mental attitude.

What's important for you to learn from this experience?

What's the good that's coming from this negative situation?

* * * * *

Imagine Determination

* * * * *

A Book Supporting Change

Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions, by by Dan Ariely, is a thought provoking, entertaining book in which Ariely explains how smart people make illogical or irrational decisions, even when they think they are being rational. They don't realize how their decisions are skewed by their emotions.

His book is intended to help us make better decisions when we understand such concepts as relativity and how it influences our buying decisions. The book is a fascinating read filled with engaging ideas and insights.

Buy This Book From Amazon.com

"The art of living lies less in eliminating our troubles than in growing with them." –-Bernard M. Baruch

Personal Story

What I've been doing while waiting for the economy to improve is volunteer at the Seattle Animal Shelter. I took my first class in January (yes, there are lots of classes to be a foster parent, to learn about caring for cats, and how the Shelter operates) and started by helping the cats in the Shelter on Mondays.

I've been especially involved fostering kittens in my home this past summer. I picked up my first foster kitten in June. Like so many new foster parents, I couldn't resist his good looks and charm so I adopted Purrkins myself — my very first foster kitten.

I also fostered four kittens that were four weeks old when I got them. They were extremely sick for the first three weeks — it's hard to lose your mother that early in life. When I took on the fostering volunteer work I had no idea how time consuming and worrisome it would be. But it has been incredibly rewarding (I saved these kittens lives and got them adopted to wonderful homes) and a wonderful diversion while I wait for the economy to pick up. I'm currently fostering two more kittens. They are so cute and playful they keep my attitude upbeat and positive. Click here for kitten photos.

What have you been doing?

Check out my recent publications:

Best Practices for a safe and fulfilling law practice Working as a business coach for lawyers for the past 11 years has given me an opportunity to learn what kinds of chances or risks lawyers might take when they get worried. One of the many benefits of working with a business coach is that bad decisions can be avoided, as you take time to talk through changes you're thinking of making to your practice before you make them, and to be ready to course correct afterward, if needed. This article covers best practices that work for my clients. Follow the guidelines and you will keep your risks to a minimum and make your practice more rewarding and profitable.

Lawyers with Emotional Intelligence Have an Edge The lawyer who takes into account theirs and their clients’ emotions – will be the lawyer with the more successful and rewarding practice. Those lawyers that avoid dealing with their client’s emotions are missing out on the important benefits that come from having a developed emotional intelligence (EI). They are not giving themselves the additional advantage in building a successful law practice that comes with a high Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EQ). This article will give you some pointers on how to develop your EI.

Your referrals are appreciated!
I have room in my coaching practice
for at least two new clients.

Go to www.BusinessActionCards.com

Did you find this newsletter helpful? Great. Maybe you can do the same for this Web site. If you use the Amazon.com link below to buy your books, music, DVDs and a wealth of other merchandise, a portion of proceeds will go to support this site. There is no additional charge, so it doesn't cost you a thing. Thanks for your help!