Life’s challenges – How to deal with them?

Why Challenges Often Come From Our Own Choices

“Life is what you make it.” Yep, we’ve heard that before, so how then did we find ourselves in such awkward and unhappy situations in the past? Simply because we are the product of all our decisions and mistakes, and despite our tendency to blame this person, that person, or situation, we ultimately possess the independence to choose at every moment of our lives.

How to Make Better Decisions When Facing Challenges

The question then follows: if we are not going to rely on hindsight as our teacher, what constitutes the best choice when we face challenges? How can we avoid decisions we will regret later on? The simple answer is to follow a proven example. In the business world, they say: Copy success. In religious and spiritual circles, we are told to follow a guru or higher spiritual authority who, by their example, sets the standards that common people can follow.

Who to Follow: The Character Test for Handling Challenges

How can we avoid making decisions we will regret later on? The simple answer is to follow. In the business world, they say: “Copy success.” In religious and spiritual circles we are told to just follow the guru or the higher spiritual authority who by their example, set the standards by which common people should follow.

In the Bhagavad-Gita it is written:

“Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.” (BG 3.21)

That is the ideal scenario; however, the real challenge is determining who the “great man” is that we should follow. How do we decide? A helpful way to frame it is: Which example actually reduces confusion, improves my decisions, and makes me more truthful in daily life? If following someone increases excuses, hypocrisy, or dependence on their words alone, it may not be the right guide for overcoming challenges.

How do we decide that?

Actions speak louder than words, so a genuine guru or spiritual teacher must not only speak the truth, he must also live it. In other words, his character must be perfect and his behavior exemplary. So our lead questions then should be, “How does this person live their life? Are they consistent with their own teachings?

At the same time, if you are a parent, teacher, manager, or in any position of authority, the question should be the same: Am I being honest and practicing what I preach when challenges show up? If the answer is no in any shape or form, then you have to change. You must make changes to correct the imbalance between your words and your actions; otherwise, you will continue down the same path as before and keep the same unsatisfactory status quo, even if you blame circumstances.

“Am I being honest and practicing what I preach?” If the answer is “no,” in any shape or form, then you have to change. You must make some changes to your life to correct the imbalance. Otherwise, you will continue to move down the same path as before and keep the unsatisfactory status quo.

A Practical Self-Analysis Routine for Life Challenges

So in a word: if you want answers; if you want out of your mess; if you want to improve your life in every aspect, you absolutely must start with a thorough and honest self analysis. This can often require the assistance of a close friend or confident and it could also require the need to step away from your current situation entirely. Getting out of the house and spending a day at the beach or the mountains is a good start. Just give yourself time to think clearly without distraction. Turn off the phone, disconnect, take a pen and paper and get out.

Listening to your heart requires silence and openness, but more importantly it requires truth. You have to be true to your self (the real you within), and doing that is probably the most challenging thing you will ever face. Face your self first, and then all these other so-called challenges along the way of life will pale in comparison, if not disappear entirely, because you will stop feeding them with self-deception and inconsistent choices. Try it, patiently and honestly.

. You have to be true to your “self” (the real you within) and doing that is probably the most challenging thing that you will ever face in life. So face your “self” first and then surely, all these other “so-called” challenges along the way of life will pail in comparison, if not disappear entirely. Try it.

FAQ

Q: How do I deal with challenges without making decisions I’ll regret later?

A: Use challenges as a prompt to choose standards before you choose actions. Instead of relying on hindsight, follow proven examples: copy success in practical life and, if you’re spiritually inclined, follow teachers whose actions match their words. Then test your choices with honest self-analysis so you can see whether your decisions come from truth or from impulse and blame.

Q: What does it mean to “follow” someone when facing life challenges?

A: In this context, “follow” means learning from an example, not just admiring someone’s words. It’s choosing standards you can practice consistently. When challenges arise, the example you follow influences what you tolerate, what you prioritize, and how you respond. The key is to follow character and behavior, not slogans.

Q: How can I tell if a guru or teacher is worth following through challenges?

A: Look for alignment between what they teach and how they live. Actions speak louder than words, so consistency under real pressure matters. Ask: How does this person live day to day? Do they model truthfulness and exemplary behavior? If their conduct contradicts their teachings, following them may deepen confusion rather than reduce it.

Q: Why is self-analysis so important for overcoming challenges?

A: Because challenges often persist when we avoid the truth about our own choices. Thorough self-analysis helps you identify patterns—excuses, repeated mistakes, and inconsistent standards—that keep producing the same outcomes. When you face your self honestly, other problems often shrink because you stop reinforcing them with self-deception.

Q: What’s a practical way to start self-analysis when life feels messy?

A: Step away from your normal environment long enough to think clearly. Turn off the phone, disconnect, and bring pen and paper. A day at the beach or in the mountains can help because it reduces distraction. If needed, involve a trusted friend or confidant who can help you see what you might rationalize or ignore.