Let’s not sugarcoat this situation. Life can be a royal pain in the ass. One day you’re on top of the world, happy and successful and the next you’re scrambling because of a Chinese virus.
At some point in time we all experience this roller coaster ride known as living. We have all had setbacks in life, be them health concerns, family problems or financial issues.
That is in no way saying that you have had it worse than any other. I’m just pointing out that sometimes everything around us falls apart. And when that happens, the last thing on your mind is getting back on the saddle to meet that challenge with confidence.
I will also point out, that it’s not game over. You can still find ways to motivate yourself even during these challenging times. So, in a nut shell what can you do?
Take a moment and smell the flowers;
This may sound really nuts. Wouldn’t it just make more sense to try to find a quick immediate solution? Not really. The reality is that sometimes you need to move away from the situation which is crumbling your world so that you can refocus and get a clearer understanding of what is happening. Once you do, you can figure out the best course of action to the problem at hand. Doing this is therapeutic and will give you something positive to look forward to.
Ask for help;
Put your away all your pre-conceptions and ego and ask for help. Whether if it’s asking for medical advice, venting, hearing someone who is positive or even borrowing money. Having a strong, honest and positive support system is the way to get your confidence back. Remember positive thinking is good all around, when some one listens to you or helps you, you feel loved.
Try something different;
Einstein said doing the same thing and expecting different results is the definition of insanity, you should pursue your dreams and plans, however you may need to change your strategy or your goal, a good challenge changes the physical structure of your brain and please remember Rome was not built in a day, start small to ensure bigger gains.
Make your goals realistic and tangible;
Write down your goals and share them with someone you trust. That creates an expectation and accountability. You also need to make sure that your goals are achievable and have a time frame and contain measurable end points. Writing down your goals helps you focus, allows your brain to be proactive, and it gives you the satisfaction of completion.
It’s all about the small details;
Don’t pull a Julius Cesar approach, don’t try to conquer the world all at once. When you seek instant gratification, you will only succeed in making your life painful and frustrating. As they say in AA take one day at a time and treat each moment as an opportunity to make a small positive investment in yourself, you will be surprised with the results. When your world is falling apart it can be simple to find small things that you can change. When everything is going well, it’s easy to get lulled into a false sense of security and you can become complacent. It is then easy to forget how capable and resourceful you are.
Speak assertive thoughts;
The most important creative force is positive affirmations, if you think you are terrible, you will feel terrible, if you think you are amazing you will behave and believe that you are amazing. Say out loud what you want to happen and where you want to be. Remind yourself of your goals and your ability to achieve them constantly.
Be proactive;
Don’t wait for things to happen, make them happen, you are the catalyst of your own destiny, a very common thing we experience is the helplessness and hopelessness associated with these times, once you start a goal your brain will push you to finish it. Have a to do list, there is power in writing things down. Crossing off items off that list will give you a clear sense of accomplishments.
Remember you are as important as you wish to be and as the Beetles would sing “we all get by with a little help from our friends”
If you have any questions please contact PNSOC… The preferred Orange County Psychiatry Clinic