One of my favorite sayings has always been: “It’s not what happens to you in life that really matters … it’s how you react to what happens to you that makes the difference!

As a business consultant, I see proof of this infinite “truth” every week! It has nothing to do with the industry I’m working with … the organization, product or service. It’s a “people” issue.

In working with clients, I have found that almost always we have determined that “the problem is never the problem—the response is the real problem!”

Consider the Gulf tragedy. Everyone talks about the problems the oil spill caused. Closer focus would reveal that the oil spill didn’t cause a fraction of the problems that the “response” to the oil spill caused … by BP, by FEMA, the Coast Guard, affected states, Washington, etc. Historians will document in great detail what we’re currently ignoring daily.

Consider your personal challenges with a simple re-frame. Forget what you once assessed to be a problem and focus, instead, on how you reacted or are currently reacting to that challenge. In doing so, you’ll find yourself focusing on action you can actually take to make a difference. Think about it. Try it. You now have a new weapon in your arsenal, a new strategy in your game plan, a new map for your journey to success!

Invest 2:10 to listen to Tom Peters, world-known author, speaker and consultant, summarize the importance of this concept.

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management.  For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.