- Doctor, the reception computer just burst into flames and there’s no back-up.
- Hey boss, half the day just cancelled or rescheduled their appointments.
- Sorry, but I’m giving you notice that as of 2 weeks from now, I am retiring.
- There’s a really upset client on the phone, would you like to take the call?
- The bathroom toilet is overflowing everywhere – what should we do?
- Smith just called to say she is mad at you and going to a different doctor.
Yikes!!! There are days that you just want to bury your head under a pillow and wish it all away. Since that is not always possible, what then SHOULD we do?
The first step is apparently to “keep your chin up.” Basically, it means to remain cheerful in a difficult situation. I wondered how one would go about doing that, so I did a little on-line research.
Here’s something cute published in Pennsylvania by The Evening Democrat newspaper in October 1900: “Keep your chin up. Don’t take your troubles to bed with you – hang them on a chair with your trousers or drop them in a glass of water with your teeth.” (If that didn’t make you chuckle just a little bit, then read on.)
There are a lot of similar platitudes that can be quoted at you, but they probably won’t deal with the situation at hand. So what is the best way to get your game face on and confront and deal with the immediate flap?
HERE IS A TOOL THAT MAY HELP:
I think a helpful solution is to first have on hand or in your head a little litany that you say to yourself to get into the proper frame of mind to take on the difficulty. For instance, some people have a little card they keep in their pocket or purse that says things like: I am audacious, I am brave, I am confident, I am courageous, I can handle ANYTHING I choose, I am dauntless, I am fearless, I am strong, I am smart, I am gutsy, I am a lion, I am defiant. You MUST find your own set of words to describe your best qualities and abilities.
If you then say these words to yourself (and REALLY get the idea of being each one) before taking on something you are hating to have to deal with, you will FEEL stronger, dauntless, defiant, and so on. Try it. It can be very surprising how good and strong it will make you feel. You will become the solver of the problem then, instead of the victim of it, and you will be able to handle it easier and keep your chin up!
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