Because at some point, they invariably do. Curveballs happen, surprises surprise us and after every jump for joy comes the occasional disappointment. If you play your cards right, prepare, give your best in life and put out good, wrongs will be scarce in your sea of rights, but here are a few things to keep in mind if ever you come across one.

Don’t Panic
Its cliche, I know but the problem is rarely as big as we perceive it to be, not to mention, you need a clear head to know what to do next. Lost your job? The love of your life turned out to be not so…lovely? Business isn’t doing quite what you expected? Don’t panic…there’s often a storm before the rainbow.

What Does This Really Mean?
Its a great question to ask yourself. Does losing your job mean you can’t pay your bills or that you finally have free time to bring your business idea to fruition? Does a bad fight with a boyfriend mean bye bye or simply a bit of much needed space? The best way to emerge from any situation is to have a balance of optimism and reality. Put the reality on the table, pour on the optimism and hold the self-doubt, no one needs it.

Don’t Poll For Answers or Advice
The only thing worse than making the wrong decision is making the wrong decision based on  what someone else told you. Even scientific studies say that women have a tendency to make less risky or bold decisions because they poll for advice much more than men. You know you more than anyone else, you know your situation and where you’d like to go more than anyone else, so why not trust YOU more than anyone else? If you must ask for advice, consider the source. Even the advice in this article? Its up to you to decide whether to take it or leave it.

Keep plan A, map a different route
One of the biggest mistakes ever is thinking because the path to Plan A didn’t work, the trip should be cancelled. Listen, no two stories are the same. No two people find the exact same luck and no one way is the right way. Before considering Plan B, consider all the puzzle pieces you have from Plan A, put them together, take note of what you’re missing and find another way to get it.

Move ON!
Leave those sorrows in yesterday! No sense in crying over spilled milk, especially when you can just head to the store and get another carton. Clean up any mess and get on with it. I’ve worked in PR for over two years – that’s public relations for those less familiar – in NEW YORK of all places and one of the biggest lessons you’ll learn in this crazy business is that no matter what, you’ve got to MAKE-IT-HAPPEN. That means, if your dog dies, if the UPS man loses the only sample you have on hand, if your client gets stuck in traffic, you’ve got to deliver regardless. “Come hell or high water” as some would say. I find it helpful to apply this attitude to every aspect of life. Don’t sweat the small stuff…roll those sleeves up, put that thinking cap on and find another solution. If you promised yourself you would earn a Master’s degree, who cares that the school you wanted to attend didn’t accept you? There are others! You have 24 hours to grieve, then its time to get the M.O. (that’s move on) in action! Find another school, perhaps an even better one and reach your goal anyway.

The point of all this? Some days the sun just doesn’t feel like shining, no matter how positive we are, but the things that makes all the difference is…you guessed it, what we do about it. You can either cry a river or dance in the rain. If you’re smart enough to choose the latter, you can even sit back, look up, and enjoy the rainbow.

I hope that helps!

Christa