Photo Credits: Moyan Brenn

When we were children, we saw the world differently. Cause and effect were more closely related and we believed in the impossible. Over the Easter weekend, a friend told me a story about two young brothers. The youngest, just turning five years old, was excited for the Easter Bunny to stop by their house and hide eggs throughout their yard. But he was concerned the Easter Bunny wouldn’t have time to get to his house. He asked his older brother how the Easter Bunny could visit everyone’s house in one night. Santa could do it because he has a sleigh and reindeer but what does the Easter Bunny have? The older brother responded, “Tunnels that run under ground all over the world.” Both boys went to bed confident they would have plenty of eggs to search for in the morning.

Even at a young age, we are able to question and see challenges. But something happens as we get older. Instead of being satisfied with a simple answer, we become caught in the details. These can become so numerous we are paralyzed by the complexity of the situation. Even though it is impossible to get around the world in one night through tunnels, this story is a good representation of a complicated problem children are able to solve with belief and vision. To them this seems a do-able solution.

Now, consider the challenges you face. Do you see a wall of complications in front of you? How would looking at your challenge with more of a child-like vision enable you to see beyond this wall and ultimately believe you can do anything that is in front of you?

What can we learn from the characters of children?

1. Help others. These brothers found the answer to the problem together. The younger did not stop believing because he didn’t know how it would be possible for the Easter Bunny to travel around the world.  Instead he sought out advice.

2. Take on Challenges Head On. What if the Easter Bunny couldn’t make it to these little boys’ house? They wouldn’t have received any eggs! The youngest brother did not sit quietly by himself and worry he would miss out. Instead he searched for answers.

3. Simplify! When you see that wall of challenges rising in front of you, break it down brick by brick. What is the ultimate goal? What are the major accomplishments you need achieve to reach it? What are the steps to reach those?

4. Believe in the impossible! This is your vision and your dream. Remember to believe in it with the same vision that children believe in the Easter Bunny. There will always be people who tell you you can’t. Work hard, keep believing and you will.

The post What Children Can Teach Us about Vision appeared first on Ryan Wuerch.

Photo Credits: Mike Heard

At some point everyone will face a difficult challenge personally or professionally. People react in a variety of ways to these events; some will try to ignore it, some will be frustrated and decide they can’t move forward, some will just give up and some will look at the challenge as an opportunity for growth.

With each new challenge we have the chance to learn something new and develop a skill. Here are the steps to tackling any challenge:

1. Analyze the situation and what is intimidating about it.

To begin finding a solution, you must first determine what you are solving. This will require self-awareness and the ability to allow yourself to admit where a weakness lies.

2. Learn about the issue’s origins and your options.

Once you identify the issue, you should spend some time understanding how it originated and what the potential solutions will entail. This research will arm you with the knowledge you need to move forward.

3. Be optimistic.

No matter what your research uncovers or how unappealing the options feel, stay positive. You will find a way to overcome this challenge. The more pessimistic you become about your outcome, the bigger the challenge will feel.

4. Take the first step.

You now have research and an understanding of your options. Pair these with your intuition and good judgment and you are ready to take the first step. It may turn out this first step wasn’t in the right direction, but chances are it will be. If not, try another.

5. Seek out expertise.

Some challenges require skills we don’t have or will require too much time to learn. In these cases, seek out experts who can assist you on your path to success.

As you are working through these times, keep in mind your experience and your ability. You are never going to be faced with a challenge you cannot solve. When you have succeeded, think of what you’ve learned and what you can implement into your life or business to better future results.

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