Try these Tips Next Time You're faced with a Setback

• See change as Inevitable. When you wake up one day and realize that you're bored at your job or that you and your boyfriend aren't having as much fun as you used to, don't be shocked. Instead, remember that needs and desires constantly evolve — and that's completely normal.
• Always have a Plan B. Often, when something doesn't work out, an even better opportunity arises, says Beth Rothenberg, a Los Angeles-based life coach. To practice seeing the possibilities in life, start by making small changes — with small risks — in your everyday routines. Experiment with the way you wear your hair (try new color options on pages 202-207); order a turkey sandwich if you always get the tuna; or go for a morning walk outdoors instead of rushing to the gym. Doing these small things differently makes you realize that you do have plenty of options — in every area of your life.
• Separate the facts from fiction. Instead of freaking out whenever you hear bad news — your boss is unhappy with your latest report, your best friend is moving — calmly deconstruct the situation using this exercise: Label one side of a piece of paper "facts" and the other one "fiction." List all the fictions, which are based on fears and unfounded predictions, then list the facts, which all deal with objective info. When you're finished, don't allow yourself to turn the page back over. Keeping your attention focused on what's real, rather than what might be, will help prevent unnecessary anxiety.

By: Leavitt, Kathryn Perrotti, Shape, Sep2006