Navigating Tough Times: The Four Justs for Overcoming Challenges

Life often throws curveballs that disrupt our sense of normalcy and overwhelm us with uncertainty. Whether it’s a natural disaster, a personal crisis, or an unexpected professional challenge, the weight of these situations can leave us feeling paralyzed. The question of where to begin and how to make sense of the chaos can feel insurmountable. However, taking action—no matter how small—and breaking down challenges into manageable steps can create a path forward.

Drawing from personal experiences and years of coaching others, I’ve developed a framework called the “Four Justs.” These principles provide a practical and empowering guide to tackling adversity, one step at a time. This article expands on these concepts to help you navigate difficult times with clarity and resilience.

1. Just Start: The Power of Taking the First Step

In moments of overwhelming uncertainty, the hardest part is often simply getting started. When you’re faced with a situation so complex that it seems impossible to tackle, breaking the inertia by taking one small step can create the momentum you need to move forward.

Why Starting Matters

Starting is not about solving the entire problem in one go; it’s about taking the first actionable step to chip away at the bigger picture. When faced with the aftermath of a natural disaster, for instance, I found myself staring at the debris of my flooded home. The sight was paralyzing. I didn’t have a plan, and I didn’t know what tools or expertise would be needed to restore my home. But I did know one thing: nothing would change until I took action.

I began with the simplest task—removing one piece of wet drywall. From there, I moved to the next piece, then to water-damaged furniture, and so on. By the end of the day, I had a pile of debris forming outside. It wasn’t the solution, but it was progress.

How to Just Start

Focus on What’s Immediately Doable: Identify the smallest task you can complete and do it. Action creates clarity.
Embrace Imperfection: Don’t worry about getting it right the first time. The act of starting will often reveal what needs to happen next.
Celebrate Small Wins: Each step forward, no matter how small, is progress worth recognizing.

2. Just Learn: Adopting a Growth Mindset

Once you’ve started, the next step is to embrace the process of learning. Adversity often places us in unfamiliar territory, requiring us to develop new skills, ask for help, and gather information to navigate the challenges ahead.

The Importance of Learning

When faced with a situation you’ve never encountered before, humility becomes your greatest ally. A growth mindset—where you allow yourself to make mistakes, learn from them, and adapt—can turn even the most intimidating obstacles into opportunities for growth.

In my own experience, I had to navigate the complexities of insurance claims, government aid programs, and construction processes. I didn’t know the first thing about these systems, but I asked questions. I reached out to contractors, neighbors, and experts. I took notes and sought advice, even when it felt uncomfortable to admit how little I knew.

How to Just Learn

Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to seek advice from people with more experience or knowledge.
Be Open to Mistakes: Understand that mistakes are part of the process and offer valuable learning opportunities.
Research and Adapt: Dive into resources, explore options, and remain flexible as you gather new information.

3. Just Persist: The Discipline of Consistency

Persistence is the cornerstone of progress. While initial action and learning are critical, consistent effort over time is what drives meaningful results. Adversity rarely resolves quickly, and persistence allows you to continue moving forward even when progress feels slow or difficult.

Why Persistence Matters

Persistence isn’t about talent or skill; it’s about showing up and doing the work, even when it’s uncomfortable or tedious. During my own challenges, persistence meant spending hours removing debris, day after day, despite the physical exhaustion. It also meant continuing to make phone calls and fill out forms, even when I felt frustrated or discouraged by bureaucracy.

Persistence takes many forms, whether it’s physical effort, mental resilience, or the discipline to keep learning and adapting. It’s not glamorous, but it’s effective.

How to Just Persist

Break the Task into Smaller Goals: Focus on one day, one task, or even one hour at a time.
Remind Yourself of the End Goal: Keep your long-term objectives in mind to stay motivated.
Push Through Resistance: Acknowledge discomfort but don’t let it stop you. Persistence is about continuing despite the challenges.

4. Just Connect: The Power of Human Relationships

Human connection is a fundamental part of resilience. When facing tough times, leaning on others for support, advice, and encouragement can make a world of difference. Even small acts of connection—asking for help, sharing your story, or building a network—can open doors to solutions and emotional relief.

The Role of Connection

We are social beings, and our ability to connect with others is one of our greatest strengths. During my challenges, I found support in unexpected places. A property manager introduced me to a network of contractors, and neighbors offered both practical assistance and emotional encouragement. These connections not only helped me navigate logistical hurdles but also reminded me that I wasn’t alone.

How to Just Connect

Reach Out for Help: Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance or advice. Most people are willing to help if you ask.
Build Relationships: Look for opportunities to form meaningful connections with those around you.
Offer Help in Return: Connection is a two-way street. Contributing to others can strengthen bonds and create mutual support.

Putting the Four Justs into Action

When faced with overwhelming challenges, it’s easy to feel stuck or defeated. The “Four Justs” offer a clear, actionable framework to break free from paralysis and create a path forward:

Just Start: Take the first step, no matter how small, to create momentum.
Just Learn: Approach the situation with curiosity and a willingness to adapt.
Just Persist: Commit to consistent effort, even when progress feels slow.
Just Connect: Build and nurture relationships to find support and solutions.

This framework isn’t just about surviving tough times—it’s about growing through them. Each step builds on the last, transforming adversity into an opportunity for growth, resilience, and progress.

When life feels overwhelming, remember: progress begins with a single action. Just start.