Q. I've suffered a few setbacks and disappointments in the last year and seem to be bogged down in them. A business that I began failed, and my long-term girlfriend left me for someone else.
I want to move past this but just don't seem able to bounce back. What can I do?
A. Let's pretend for a few moments that we are in a seminar, and let me ask for a show of hands:
How many of you have ever been rejected by anyone, for anything, at any time in your life?
How many of you have ever suffered a defeat over something large or small, for any reason, at any time in your life?
All of us have suffered rejection and defeat at some point in our lives: loss of jobs, broken relationships, deaths, disappointments, or just the ups and downs of everyday living.
Motivational speaker W. Mitchell has been quoted as saying,
"It's not what happens to us that matters; it's what we do about it that makes a difference."
With that thought in mind, I've noticed that when presented with rejection and/or defeat, most people have one of two reactions:
They either let it beat them, or they rise above it.
I call these two responses "dropping dead" and "bouncing back."
How to "drop dead"
Believe that this event defines you and your life now and forever. In other words, it's a final judgment of who you are.
Lose perspective. Focus only on what happened to you and nothing else.
Organize your thoughts, feelings, what you talk about - in other words, your whole life around what has happened. Talk about nothing else. Bore your friends.
Take a "dead roach approach": flat on your back with your legs in the air, no power.
Quit. Give up. Throw in the towel.
Believe in your heart that you have failed. Even worse, define yourself as a failure.
Focus on the past, something you can do nothing about.
Go it alone.
How to "bounce back"
Decide to. It was Abraham Lincoln who said, "People are about as happy as they decide to be." I think it's the same with bouncing back. I realize that sounds so simple, but that's really where it starts.
Implement the principle of NEXT!!! This one comes from the world of sales. The top salespeople in any field have trained themselves to handle rejection by saying "next" to themselves. In this context, "next" means to move on into the future and not get stuck in the past, not even the recent past.
Implement the principle of Open Doors. God never closes one door without opening several others. We have to look for them, however.
Focus on the present and future, two things you can do something about. The best way to predict the future is to create it as close as you can to the way you would like it to be.
Install a new belief that says I can only fail if I quit or if I don't learn something from the experience. In this way, you have to try really hard to fail, sort of like failing gym class.
Get the support you need.
Make these two crucial distinctions:
1. Make a place for what has happened in your life. It may stink, not be fair, and you may hate it. But it did happen and denying it will only come back to bite you later.
2. Put it in it's place, which is behind you, in the past. Think of the event like a chapter in a book that you do not have to read again and again.
Visit secretsofgreatrelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.
Ancona limousine airport .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareStress seems to have become a constant factor in today's... Read More
The Rule of BalanceThere is more to life than work.... Read More
Do you get frustrated with your spouse, your kids, your... Read More
A little stress is good for us until it becomes... Read More
I love a good story and I know I'm not... Read More
Several studies, including one of medical students around exam time,... Read More
Did you know that taking a short trip, such as... Read More
26 ways to minimize and manage the unhealthy effects of... Read More
It has long been suggested that "music soothes the savage... Read More
Comedian George Carlin once remarked, "Have your ever noticed? Anyone... Read More
10 Ways to Monitor Corporate Stress LevelsGood military leaders work... Read More
Statistics tell us that more people have migraine headaches on... Read More
"Slow down, you move too fast, you've got to make... Read More
Too much driving, too much shopping, too much rushing around,... Read More
Most of us are trying to balance work, home, and... Read More
The brain uses feel-good transmitters called endorphins when managing daily... Read More
Everyday can be full of stress but we all deserve... Read More
Do you attack problems and solve them or do you... Read More
This heading may seem like a contradiction in terms. How... Read More
What part of no don't you understand? - Bumper stickerThe... Read More
1. The Law of EveryoneIt is not neccessarily wrong to... Read More
How much attention is paid to one of the biggest... Read More
Do you have the desire for a stress free life?... Read More
Stress management is a hot topic; stress-related illness and suffering... Read More
One of the best ways to relieve yourself from the... Read More
Buffalo Grove cheapest limo ..?And holding it way down inside you like an old... Read More
In order to free ourselves from the pain of anger... Read More
1. The Law of EveryoneIt is not neccessarily wrong to... Read More
No need to go spend money at a spa! There... Read More
What would you say if I told you I know... Read More
After a stressful day as a computer programmer, Jim pulled... Read More
We all know what it's like coming home from a... Read More
Stress and anxiety can prematurely age our mind and body.... Read More
If you find symptoms of anxiety disorder in any of... Read More
As Montaigne said, "he who fears he will suffer, already... Read More
According to the Australian Council of Trade Unions' (A.C.T.U.) 1997... Read More
There are times in every person's life when things do... Read More
Is your stress level higher than it should be? Are... Read More
Shit happens. I know this to be a fact, because... Read More
1. 5-minute rule. How many times do we say, "This... Read More
"Slow down, you move too fast, you've got to make... Read More
"The great lesson from the true mystics, from the Zen... Read More
Loneliness and separation are the real illness of our times.... Read More
This anger management Practice draws on the dual wisdom of... Read More
"Do you want to be a lump of coal or... Read More
ExcusesWe all have them. It amazes me how creative I... Read More
Picture the following scene:It's Sunday evening, the weekend is winding... Read More
Tough leaders are usually seen as ogres. Their exacting demands... Read More
Stress relief and managementRecognizing stress symptoms can be a positive... Read More
Looking for all of the answers in how to manage... Read More
Stress Management |