Dealing with and overcoming adversity can often be overwhelming and discouraging. While facing adversity can be quite difficult to deal with, it is highly valuable to our personal development. Adversity reveals who we really are and what we are really capable of. Here are five steps to help you deal with the inevitable in life: adversity.

 Have faith and confidence in yourself

 When dealing with adversity it is very easy to become overwhelmed with the obstacle. We often lose confidence not only in the situation we are facing but more crucially in ourselves. In times of struggle and darkness it’s when one develops their true foundation of faith and belief.

It is important that we become our biggest believers. Believe that you are built to overcome anything that has been put in your path. Build your foundation based on internal validation rather than external. Shift yourself to a positive state of mind, learn more about yourself and what gets you in different moods and understand why you’re doing what you’re doing. Don’t let any external components dictate your moods and feelings for they will never be under your control.

 Define the problem

 Define the problem as clearly as possible. Ask yourself what exactly it is that is worrying you or what you are currently facing. Grab a piece of paper and write it all down. Once you’ve done that, do yourself a favor and scratch everything that is out of your control. One thing to keep in mind is that we can’t overcome the unknown or something that is out of our control. Focus on what you can control only, and work at improving in those areas to the best of your ability.  

Schedule action and small victories

 After breaking down the problem in full detail, it’s time to take action.In some cases, you may or may not be able to solve the problem and that’s ok. However, it is not about the problem. It is about the foundation we have built for ourselves, the mindset and the process that prepared us to become a better version of ourselves. It is about knowing how to treat ourselves with kindness and celebrating even the small victories that we make along the process.

 It can only last so long

Remember that whatever you’re going through can only last so long. You’re dealing with the inevitable of life and that is the reality that you will face failure. It’s not about IF you fall or not. It’s about WHEN you will fall. Everyone will fall and face adversity throughout many different time periods of their life. The difference is how long you stay down: will those problems lead to more or do you build a strong foundation and become mentally stronger throughout every process?

 It is ok to ask for help

It is ok to ask for help. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness; on the contrary it actually shows maturity, strength and courage. Asking for help is understanding that there is someone out there that has been through what you’ve been through with the knowledge and experience to help you overcome this obstacle. As much as we want to, we can’t do everything ourselves.

Johnatan Reyes is an Account Assistant at Haute in Texas. He currently plays basketball for Oklahoma Christian University. As a first-generation college student and athlete, he has overcome adversity throughout his young life. If you’re inspired by his thoughts on adversity, be sure to follow him on Instagram @jreyesv33.