How to Overcome Challenges at Work Life without new challenges would be boring. Every new problem and challenge you face helps you gain more experience and grow yourself.

By Ceren Cubukcu

This story originally appeared on Personal Branding Blog

Shutterstock

No matter how prepared or organized you are, obstacles will always come along your way and force you to step out of your comfort zone and do something to solve them. And when you face a challenge, the first thing you need to do is to stop and take a deep breath so you can think before you act. Below find the rest of the steps you need to take in order to overcome challenges at work.

Related: 5 Phrases You Should Avoid Saying at Work

1. Define the real problem

The first thing you need to do is to define what the real problem is. Start with asking questions about the problem so that you can get to the root of it. Then, formulate the problem and explain it to your co-worker to check whether you really understand it. Talking about the problem with someone else helps you understand it better and understanding the problem is the first step of solving it.

2. Divide the problem into smaller pieces

It is very hard to deal with one big problem but if you divide this problem into smaller pieces, you can easily deal with these small problems one by one. Usually big problems include smaller problems within. Therefore, try to identify what these small problems are and find their solutions first. You will see that as you tackle these small problems, you will gain your confidence and handle the big one as well.

Related: The 4 Most Common Workplace Worries and How to Overcome Them

3. Get help from someone else

It is OK to ask for help when you get stuck and are not sure what to do or how to move on. You can ask a co-worker that you always work with or your supervisor. If you don't want to get help from them or if you are an entrepreneur working by yourself, then call a friend you trust who also faced a similar challenge. You will realize that you are not the only one facing problems and people around you too have had similar challenges before.

Related: 4 Important Social Skills You Need to Succeed at Work

4. Every challenge helps you gain experience

Life without new challenges would be boring. Every new problem and challenge you face helps you gain more experience and grow yourself. If you want to do great things, then you probably know that there will always be different problems you have to face along the way. Therefore, see this as part of your bigger dream and welcome new challenges.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Buying / Investing in Business

Former Zillow Execs Target $1.3T Market

Co-ownership is creating big opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Side Hustle

She Quit Her Job at Trader Joe's After Starting a Side Hustle With $800 — Then She and Her Brother Grew the Business to $20 Million

Jaime Holm and Matt Hannula teamed up to build a business in an industry that "didn't exist" yet.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Starting a Business

A Cambodian Refugee Paralyzed By Polio Says 'Not Much' Was Expected of Him. He and His Wife Built a Multimillion-Dollar Business That Beat All Odds.

Steve and Brittany Yeng were discouraged from pursuing their unique idea, but they didn't listen to the naysayers.

Business News

Barbara Corcoran Finds a Buyer in One Day for Her $12 Million 'Palace in the Sky' Penthouse

Corcoran bought the duplex co-op for $10 million in 2015 and spent $2 million renovating it.