Who do you know who seems to live wisely, with few regrettable decisions? Even if you aren't sure that you want to hear what they might say, ask them for advice on a difficult decision that you are facing.

What you want the most in life is what you will spend your time and energy pursuing. How much anxiety will you feel? Be radically honest. If you achieve this goal, will you actually be satisfied? Will you be a better person if you accomplish this goal? Will you enjoy the journey toward this goal or be under constant strain and stress?

Ask yourself, "What is the next right thing for me to do?" then, without too much overthinking, DO IT.

Do you feel confused? Who can you talk to about your problem? Don't make a rash, destructive decision. Be patient with yourself. The more pressure you put on your mind for an immediate answer, the more confused you will become.

What makes you sad, uncertain, confused, or want to give up? In a short sentence, write down why you feel like you deserve such negative emotions." Then, write down at least three positives (even some that may seem small) happening to and around you to counter the negative. In your mind, or on paper, say more than once, "Today I choose to place these three positives above my "good" reason to be down about _________________________" (identify your feeling).

You think tens of thousands of thoughts every day. Thoughts can and usually do drive your feelings. So, if your thoughts push your feelings toward an unproductive or self-destructive state of mind, you must be on high alert! Find a trustworthy mental health professional, counselor, friend, family member, or adult you respect who will meet with you a few times to help you sort out your thoughts and get them headed in a positive direction.

"Trust your gut" is a saying you may have heard. It simply means that when you want to make the best decision but are unsure what to do, your unconscious mind will help guide you to the right choice. So: a) Decide to make the right choice b) Take adequate time to mull it over, and c) Listen to direction from deep within your mind.

Learn to be a SMART door opener and a WISE door closer. But don't forget to be a determined keep-the-door-opener. There are opportunities in life - in school, in relationships, in your career - that haven't yet arrived but may be well on the way! Get better at saying yes. Become shrewder at saying no. And wiser at knowing when to push the "I'll wait" button.

Are you prone to let other people define how you feel about yourself or how you see yourself? Others have zero right to exercise that power.

"Nobody cares about me." Most of us have these kinds of discouraging thoughts occasionally. Talk to yourself with words of hope. Remind yourself that brighter days are ahead. Challenge the lies that you are accepting with what's actually real.

Are you facing a difficult situation that you can't change? Is something that you can't control weighing heavily on your mind? For 15 minutes each day allow yourself to focus on this thing. Journal, draw, or speak aloud all of your thoughts and feelings on this particular scenario and, then, put it in a box on a shelf and let your mind take a break.

The three main components of problem-solving are perspective, patience, and persistence. View the problem you are facing from the perspective of the big picture, then chip away at solving it by asking others to share their wisdom with you. Then, slowly but surely, begin doing one next-right-thing after another.

The more you try to make life fit your limited understanding or plan, the greater your potential is to be frustrated and unhappy. A better mental/emotional scenario is: 1) What can I change? 2)What do I need to accept? 3) How can I look more for the positives right where life has me? 4) How can I be a better, happier, person because of how confidently I respond to life's circumstances?

Even if it is not natural for you to be a problem-solver, adopt an attitude of "I will grow in finding solutions because I know problems are an undeniable fact of life." Here's an easy place to start:
A. Learn from similar challenges in your past.
B. Put aside pride and ask for advice.
C. Trust the passing of time and remember most problems do not have to be solved overnight.

Would you like to be more of a problem solver and less of a problem creator? Here are three ways to get started:

• Become a better, more attentive listener to avoid misunderstanding
• Help a friend solve a problem. Intentionally caring about others helps you to care more about yourself!
• Be observant. Everyone around you, no matter how old they are, can teach you something by their lives or their advice!

It can sometimes be a hit to your pride to admit that it's time to slow down for a day or two and do a super honest self-check. You can start by asking yourself what one area of your life is where you see some good things happening, including one way you have been taking a little better care of yourself physically. Then, identify one area that you know needs change. Now, think of one way to progress in both your areas of strength and weakness.

Are you angry? Do you feel slighted or wronged? Or, are your emotions chaotic, and you're unsure why? This L. I. K. E. strategy may help:
Label the root problem by taking the time to identify what's really bothering you.
Initiate patience to take the time to settle a problem properly
Kindness must be a part of the solution, even if it takes humility
Energize yourself. You won't overcome the blues with the blahs!

Feel free to carve out some time to hang out with, guess who? With yourself! You can cultivate some super healthy thought processes during this time. Such as:

• Learning to love and appreciate yourself better.
• Chipping away at forgiveness - toward yourself and perhaps someone else.
• Telling yourself that accepting your current circumstances does not mean giving up on better days ahead.
• What is one thing you can flip? What life scenario is weighing you down but doesn't have to be? Reverse it. Gradually turn that negative into a positive.

Problems can become your best teacher when you stop resenting them and take the position of a learner. Instead of becoming frustrated over the amount of patience it takes to find a solution to a problem, identify one thing you can learn that will make you a better person.

What is the heaviest, most difficult-to-shake event in your past? The heavy burden of that memory is weighing you down more than you may realize. It's time for a burial ceremony. It's time for you to say, "I cannot and will not carry this heavy weight one more day. Be gone! You are dead and buried forever"

Start picturing yourself as a problem solver rather than a problem shunner. To shun something means, in part, to ignore it, hoping it will eventually go away and leave you alone. That doesn't happen too often with problems. It's far better to face the fire and learn the art of problem solving.