It Is What It Is… Or Is It?

There’s a saying I hear a lot that I completely disagree with. The saying is “It is what it is”. I usually hear it said by people in situations when they are facing adversity and feel they have no control over the situation. It seems like they say this as a convenient way to end the discussion. “It is what it is”. End of discussion.

But is it really true? Do you believe this? Do you believe you have no control over the outcome? Do you believe you can’t make changes?

Often there are circumstances that happen which we have little control over. But even faced with the most difficult challenges, it has been proven again and again in the face of adversity that people can make a difference. Change the outcome. Change rules, policies, events, even their futures through the thoughts that they think.

It Is What YOU BELIEVE It Is

Many experts teach us that if we can change our thoughts we can create whatever we want in life. Byron Katie, in her book “Loving What Is” writes “When I argue with reality, I lose – but only 100% of the time”. Why not live your life choosing thoughts that create a stress free, positive reality? Don’t even let the words “It is what it is” cross your mind, regardless of the challenges you face! There are many things that go through my head when I face challenges, but that saying is not one of them. By being active in creating our thoughts we able to solve problems that may seem impossible.

Following are some alternatives to falling back on “It is what it is” that can be helpful saying to yourself in difficult situations. Practice using these ideas instead if you’re feeling stuck, trapped, or just outright defeated.

Before you say “It is what it is”, try saying some of these statements instead:

• Is “It is what it is?” a true statement?
• How can I make a difference?
• How can I make a positive change
• What is it that I really want?
• What positive action can I take to affect the outcome of this event?
• Who do I need to contact to change this in the future?
• How can I get involved to prevent this from happening to other people?
• Where am I making a contribution that is bigger than myself?

What disciplines do you practice when faced with difficult, or even “impossible” situations?

Was this helpful? If so, I’d really appreciate it if you leave a comment below or share on Facebook, LinkedIn or your favorite Social Media!

Michael Hurd, Executive Coach

Email: mike@hurdmarketing.com