Adversity is a part of life. Sometimes, our plans may not go as we wanted, and we may have to face the unexpected. Those are the time when we need to stay focused and positive in order to move forward, shedding the weight of adversity from our shoulders on the way.

Here’s how you can stay positive in the face of adversity.

Prioritize Yourself

It can be tough for some of us to prioritize ourselves because we live in a culture that values and fetishizes constant hustle towards one’s goal and taking care of others. However, we forget that if we don’t love ourselves first, we can’t truly love anybody else.

Your actions to navigate tough situations make you grow internally. It’s because you learn to control and value your happiness. Therefore, it’s essential to find your passion so that you can give yourself a positive boost. I found my passion in skeleton racing. It’s time that you find yours.

Find a Silver Lining Amidst the Black Clouds

I know that you all have heard that there’s a light at the end of a dark tunnel. This proverb never ceases to amaze me because I have found ways to build a positive outlook in every adversity that I’ve faced. You can do it, too, by asking yourself the following questions:

• What’s the positive thing about this situation?
• Where can I find an opportunity to get better within this situation?
• What learning opportunities can I derive from this?
• What factors are in my control?

Pro tip: Ignore how a situation can worsen and focus on how you can make it better.

Nurture a Positive Environment

Your ability to handle adversity is impacted by how you spend your time and with whom you do it. Therefore, you must surround yourself with folks that promote positivity and share your values. Your environment can make a significant impact on the energy you attract. Therefore, having a positive environment can make the process of overcoming adversity easy. Here are some ways you can make a positive environment:

• Well-lit and airy workspace
• Being outdoors
• Being around family and friends
• Shopping
• Following your rhythms and rituals
• Self-care

As an Olympian and a former athlete who’s faced myriad setbacks and obstacles in his career, I am cognizant of how important mental toughness is when it comes to overcoming adversity.

I used to be a sprinter, but I steadfastly tackled all the adversity life threw at me, and I became Ghana’s first skeleton Olympic champion, an athlete, and a motivational speaker. I’m Akwasi Frimpong, and here’s my story.