How to Always Come Out on Top—

Even When Life Throws You Sideways

Life isn’t a straight line.

It’s a rollercoaster of ups, downs, and the occasional sideways twist that leaves us wondering what just happened.

When things go wrong, plans unravel,

or self-doubt creeps in, it’s easy to feel off balance.

We all want to win, to succeed,

to feel like we’re on the right track.

But here’s the truth:

life will always throw challenges our way—

and trying to control everything is a losing game.

The real power lies not in what happens to us,

but in how we respond.

So, how do you stay on top when life gets messy?

Here are three simple, powerful strategies to help you rise above it all.

💪 1. Play to Your Strengths

Let’s face it—we’re walking contradictions.

Joyful one moment, anxious the next.

We’re a mix of strengths and weaknesses,

yet we often obsess over what we lack instead of celebrating what we do well.

A strength is something you consistently excel at.

It’s hardwired into you, feels natural, and brings satisfaction.

Maybe you’re a problem-solver,

a compassionate listener,

a creative thinker,

or a master omelette-maker.

Whatever it is, lean into it.

Focusing on your strengths boosts confidence,

drives results, and often neutralises the impact of your weaknesses.

I know of an advertising exec who dreaded public speaking.

Presentations made him freeze, stumble, and forget his points.

But when we tapped into his strengths—

His humour, social skills, and ability to connect—everything changed.

He transformed his presentations into engaging,

warm experiences that resonated with his audience.

His strengths didn’t just help him cope—they helped him thrive.

🛠️ 2. Set Yourself Up for Success

Sometimes you can wing it and win.

But more often, success comes from preparation.

Whether you’re facing a challenge or chasing an opportunity,

Setting things up ahead of time dramatically increases your chances of getting the outcome you want.

Start by getting crystal clear on your desired result.

What would success look and feel like?

Then reverse-engineer it.

What steps can you take to make that outcome more likely?

What resources, support, or mindset shifts do you need to put in place?

Reparation isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention.

When you invest time and energy into setting the stage,

You’re stacking the odds in your favour.

It’s your choice: hope for the best, or build the best-case scenario.

🌱 3. Redefine What It Means to “Lose”

What’s life really about?

For some, it’s career success.

For others, it’s love, laughter, or legacy.

But at its core, life is about growth—

Doing the best we can for ourselves and those we care about.

And growth doesn’t come from winning alone.

It comes from trying, failing, learning, and adapting.

Thomas Edison famously said, “I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.”

That mindset is gold.

Every misstep teaches us something.

Every setback is a setup for a comeback.
You’ll never reach 100% without passing through 1% to 99%.

Every experience, good or bad, is a stepping stone.

So when things don’t go your way, remember: you’re not losing.

You’re learning.

You’re growing.

You’re moving forward.

🎉 Final Thoughts

Life will throw curveballs.

That’s a given.

But when you focus on your strengths,

Prepare with intention,

And embrace every experience as part of your growth,

You’ll always come out on top.

Here’s to your continued success—no matter which way life turns next.