Lately, it seems like I’ve been hearing from more people who are going through tough times.
Adversity is a part of life; we all know this. But it does feel like there is a lot more chaos and uncertainty in the world today. Chaos and uncertainty create anxiety, stress, and negativity, which only makes things worse.
I’ve been asked how I recommend dealing with those tough times when it feels like everything is going wrong.
Here is my answer. [continue reading…]
“Of all the hazards, fear is the worst.”
– Sam Snead, 7-Time Major Golf Champion
When I talk about fear, I’m not talking about your instincts, which alert you to danger, or the common sense you’ve acquired in life, which keeps you from doing harmful things.
The fear I’m talking about is the strong, unpleasant emotion that expects something bad to happen.
This type of fear is the root cause of every negative thought that eats away at your self-confidence and every worry that keeps you up at night. It is the voice that makes you doubt yourself.
Fear is what stands between you and a happy, successful life. It holds you back from your potential. It’s the source of all your worries.
You defeat the voice of fear by replacing it with the voice of faith. Faith is the opposite of fear. [continue reading…]
“You can’t get much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good.”
– Jerry West, 14-Time NBA All-Star and 2-Time NBA Executive of the Year
Even when you’re following your purpose, doing something you love, and trying to be as positive and enthusiastic as possible, you’re still going to have rough days.
Those days when you don’t feel well or you just can’t seem to get excited about what’s next or you feel like an ongoing problem is taking up all your attention and preventing you from being joyful.
How do you handle days like these?
One of the most effective ways to shift your mindset on such days is to remind yourself that every single problem you face is TEMPORARY.
The sooner you attack this day, the sooner you will be one day closer to solving that problem or overcoming that difficulty. [continue reading…]
“Winners, I am convinced, imagine their dreams first. They want it with all their heart and expect it to come true. There is, I believe, no other way to live.”
– Joe Montana, NCAA National Champion QB and 4-Time Super Bowl Champion QB
You should be taking time each day to imagine your biggest dreams coming true.
Visualize what it will look and feel like WHEN you accomplish the dream you’re chasing—the more detailed, the better.
Those same visualization techniques will improve your mental outlook and real-world results in any other line of work.
Taking the time to regularly visualize your dream coming true also reminds you why you’re making the sacrifices you’re making every day.
This mental image of achievement helps you stay on track when the going gets tough. It keeps the “big picture” at the forefront of your mind so you don’t get derailed by temporary problems. [continue reading…]
“Never let the odds keep you from pursuing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.”
– Satchel Paige, 8-Time All-Star and Baseball Hall of Famer
Doing something you’re passionate about—something you enjoy and something you know in your heart you are meant to do—will give you a powerful advantage in overcoming the adversity you face while trying to achieve your goals.
Too often, people choose not to pursue something they’re passionate about because they think it would be irresponsible to do so. They think it’s too risky to chase their dreams, or that the odds are stacked too heavily against them.
But the fact is, most things worthwhile are going to be difficult and risky.
Those who achieve big in any field are those who really enjoy what they’re doing. [continue reading…]
“Concentration is a fine antidote to anxiety.”
– Jack Nicklaus, 18-Time Major Golf Champion
Anxiety. Worry. Fear.
These are closely tied emotions that cause all kinds of problems for us. They damage our health, weaken our immune systems, and hamper our performance in sports, business, and any number of various mental and physical activities.
If we let these emotions get out of hand, they can lead to long-term physical, mental, and financial consequences.
It’s normal for these emotions to show up when we encounter stressful situations.
When we’re blindsided by trouble, facing a high-stakes moment, or simply disappointed because we failed at something, we all tend to feel anxious, worried, and fearful about the future.
The key is how we respond to these emotions when they inevitably arise. [continue reading…]
