I was back visiting my home country of Australia recently and decided to go see the Sydney Opera House.

I wanted a postcard photo.

But…it rained.

My initial reaction was to feel annoyed. But when I accepted that “it is what it is”, I slipped into a deep calm.

Life poses an endless number of challenges.

Whether it’s something as simple as a rainy day for a planned photo op, or a business deal gone sour, dealing with those challenges by accepting that “it is what it is” will help you create the life you want.

The Ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, said: “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”

Life isn’t happening to you. It’s reacting to you. Instead of exerting your energy on feeling upset, spend it elsewhere. Find acceptance in the things that come to you. Once you do that, you will start to notice positive changes in your life and your success.

You want to see my rainy day in Sydney and how I dealt with it?

Well, you have to check out today’s video…

Now I’m not telling you to passively accept these things that happen to you, without taking steps to improve your life. Instead, I’m telling you not to feel sorry for yourself. When you accept that “it is what it is,” you will actually find that the pain diminishes greatly when you find acceptance in your current environment. If you’ve set a goal, and you reach an obstacle in completing your goal, accept that it is what it is, and set a new goal.

We’ve all had bad things happen to us. A perfect example: I lost a lot of money on a property deal a few years ago, and my first instinct was to be angry, upset, and negative. However, once I figured out that by simply accepting what had been handed to me allowed me to create forward motion, I started using “it is what it is” as my mantra. If you get stuck on being sad or frustrated, you will be unable to make space for better things to come.

So here are your first steps to your better, more successful life:

1. Acceptance

2. Acceptance (repeat it so it sticks in your head)

3. Set a new goal

4. Forward motion

Remember that things will always stand in your way as you forge your path to success. Allow yourself the time to take on those obstacles. You can set the right pace to your path with the right attitude. – Just as the late American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker, Jim Rohn says: “Life asks us to make measurable progress in reasonable time.”

Now, I want to hear from YOU!

Leave a comment in the comments section below and tell me when you’ve had to say to yourself, “It is what it is.”

Speak soon!

James