Life has mysterious ways to make us grow and develop. We all go through trials in life, one way or another. Never judge your neighbor; he may be learning a lesson as difficult as yours. I don't think a single person says their journey has been easy. Many may say it has been a satisfactory journey or the opposite. Regardless of their opinion, knowing how to enjoy the ride is the key. Meeting your goals is only the finish line of each path.

Much of our journey is based on plans aligned with a better future, in which we have committed time, material, and emotional resources. It will be normal for difficulties to come out on top throughout the journey. Situations or barriers will arise that can interrupt or slow down the achievement of plans, and with them, the risk of losing what has been invested. The consequences will be as dramatic as you allow them to be. But remember, each one is in control of them, and you have the power to recover and move forward.

The severity of the impact depends on one's expectations. It can be very severe if you don't expect it, maybe because you're distracted. On the contrary, the severity will be less painful if you have already expected it. Regardless, I will give you a list of steps to follow to cope after life has impacted you and has demanded a change of plans.

1. Understand what the lesson was. Assume it happened; it is a reality. Live with the normal grief of your loss. If you feel deep pain, look for your family, good friends, or professional help. A psychologist or coach may help you. Remember, understanding the lesson is a testament to your resilience and strength.

2. Recover from within. Work and ensure healthy self-esteem. Your inner dialogue, self-worth, and self-confidence are essential to returning to your life. Find your trust again. These areas may require professional help, such as a psychologist or coach. Reading or listening to books or personal development podcasts by authors such as John Maxwell, Tony Robbins, Ekhart Tolle, Jorge Bucay, or ours, among many others, can be very useful.

3. Work on your self-awareness. The challenges of running out of direction or a plan often lead us to question ourselves. The truth is that not even the strongest storm will change your essence, gifts, and talents. Be sure again of who you are and how you can serve others, and start doing it—the sooner, the better. Serving others is the most effective way anyone can rebuild their inner being quickly.

4. Accept your challenges and face them. They say it is wise to know how to choose battles, and sometimes it is better to lose some and then win the war, and, also, peace is a higher good. And it is so. But then, it is also wise to know how to choose the battles you must fight for your territory. Those battles are against yourself, in which you are proving that you can overcome your fears and obstacles that life has put in place for you. These battles are where you employ your gifts and talents, put your passion into competing, and know that you give your very best. In these cases, it is wise to go out and fight; that is your call. Please do it.

5. Identify your new plan. Your plan will stand out if you have advanced in the previous four points and gone through some good battles. Identify it and own it. Write it to gain clarity. The difference now is that you are a more self-aware, a wiser person with the incredible power of knowing that even the most challenging obstacle in life, such as the loss of a life plan, can be overcome.

You will need a good attitude as you move through these five steps, because without a doubt, being left without the illusion of a life plan can make us sad. So, to maintain a good mood, apply as many as possible of the 13 tips from the Harvard Happiness Lecture:

1. Exercise every day, ideally more than 300 minutes a week.

2. Have breakfast every day.

3. Be grateful. It is the principle of abundance.

4. Be assertive. Good communication initiates a good relationship.

5. Spend your money on experiences.

6. Face your challenges.

7. Paste beautiful memories, phrases, and pictures of loved ones everywhere.

8. Be kind.

9. Wear comfortable shoes.

10. Take care of your posture.

11. Listen to music, sing, and dance.

12. Take care of your diet, but eat everything.

13. Feel attractive.

Meditate, talk to yourself, let go of control, and never stop moving forward. I wish you the very best!