I’m a nomad, musician and artist. And I have way more Ls than Ws. But now, I reframe my challenges as exciting milestones, not negative I-must-really-suck-at-this moments.

Embracing challenges is crucial for my sanity. It’s actually made me happier. :)

Because in all my setbacks and failures, I’ve realized something: on the other side of that is usually wisdom, growth and more confidence.

So let’s explore the kick-ass benefits of embracing challenge and some ways to overcome them better.

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Embracing Challenges (5 Kick-Ass Benefits)

“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.”

Challenges are the only way to grow. They’re called growing pains, after all.

Here are the benefits of embracing this jazz.

1. Challenge Is the #1 Indicator of Growth

You grow when you overcome a challenge. So every time you’re experiencing difficult things or challenging situations, it’s because you’re expanding yourself.

It’s like building muscle. Yea, it’s a cliche example, but it’s perfect.

Growing muscles is painful. The same goes for skill building, confidence, self development…whatever thing that’s challenging is really an opportunity for growth.

That’s growth mindset thinking.

2. You Practice Creativity

Challenges requires solutions. And solutions require creativity.

The more difficult or nuanced the challenge, the more creative the solution should be.

This perspective totally motivates me when dealing with challenges. Because really, it’s an opportunity to be creative.

3. You Get Disciplined

Embracing challenges is hard. It takes focus, confidence and the right mindset.

It takes discipline.

I think one of the biggest drivers of success (however you define it) is your ability to stick with the pain and keep showing up.

It’s easy to follow your passions when things are going your way. But staying the course when nothing is fun is hard.

The more you embrace challenges, the more disciplined you get. That’s an epic soft skill.

4. More Confidence

Something happens when you face a challenge and find a solution.

You get confident.

And the more confident you get, the more (and bigger) challenges you’re able to overcome.

It’s a feedback loop.

Your baseline mindset becomes “pshh, I f*cking got this.”

5. You’re More Competitive

This last benefit is especially motivating if you’re a creator, artist or entrepreneur building a brand.

Consistently embracing challenges gives you a serious competitive edge.

And I don’t mean competition in a negative way (like everyone else is the enemy and you must win). I see creatorship and solopreneurship as a more collaborative and supportive environment.

That’s how we evolve, after all (through collaboration, not competition).

Still, when you’re able to face challenges and stumble with a smile, you’re unstoppable.

Overcoming Challenges (6 kick-ass tips)

“The best way out is always through.”

— Robert Frost

1. Mindset Is Everything

Mindset really matters.

Because we don’t see life how things are. We see life how we are.

Below are my favorite perspectives that help me overcome pretty much anything life throws at me. I choose the one that feels right in the moment:

A creative mindset (how you see the world)
An adventure mindset (being the intrepid explorer)
The learner’s mindset (loving the process)
A happy-go-lucky mindset (staying chill and carefree)

Explore more:
➤ Mindset Facts That Changed Me

2. Stay Humble

Humility makes overcoming challenges way easier.

Hubris, victim mindset and entitlement all get in the way of seeing things objectively and creatively.

But just remember: don’t be too humble either.

It’s all about balance. But try out a beginner’s perspective and pretend like everything you know may actually be false.

3. Make Things Smaller

Big challenges are hard. But every big problem is actually made up of lots of smaller micro issues.

Breaking down large problems into smaller ones is super powerful. It’s a first principles way of thinking.

It requires you to reverse engineers things into their component pieces or steps. Then, understand the individual pieces and how they fit together or impact the whole.

Once you break a challenge down into smaller obstacles, it’s much easier to tackle the small problems, one at a time.

4. Change Your Approach

“Let go or be dragged.”

— Zen wisdom

Sometimes, we just need a new approach.

The hard part is letting go of how you think things should be or work. The ability to stay open, pivot and try new strategies and ways of thinking is super helpful.

So step back and reassess what you’re doing. Imagine different solutions and try different ideas. Be open to new inspirations, follow your intuition and go back to the testing phase.

Don’t be married to any one idea or solution.

5. Step Away

Step away. It gives you clarity.

And objectivity.

I do this all the time with songwriting, which can easily start to sound boring or uninventive after playing, editing and recording the same thing for hours or days at a time (or longer…).

Stepping away gives me a sort of first impression experience.

It’s like asking for someone’s feedback and getting fresh eyes on an issue.

But here, the goal is to step away to the point you basically forget the details or nuances of the challenge. Then, you come back with a fresh perspective and a new energy.

A lot of times, new ideas reveal themselves.