Since I've had to inspire myself to keep going in the midst of many sucky situations lately, I thought I'd share some of the strategies I've used to get through my recent sucky situations. There have been many, and I'll tell you about them later, but for now, if your life is feeling The Suck right now, this post shares specific things you can do to make things suck less.
As an entrepreneur, you have your hands full. It's easy to allow one challenging business experience in a day to quickly dissolve into The Suck. Once that happens, gobs of time (or days or months or even years!) of productivity can be lost, thus resulting in more Suck. In an effort to help you avoid that, here are 10 ways to inspire yourself to keep going in the midst of The Suck.
(I have used every single one of these strategies multiple times in the past 30 days.) Let's go!
Strategy No. 1: Don't stop
Stop everything, and tell yourself you won't stop. “I will not stop.” That's it. Seriously. There is something about simply declaring your intention to keep going strong that makes the statement an actual event in your life.
You'll find yourself getting up off the sofa or chair or whatever, and putting one foot in front of the other. Before you know it, you'll be doing something you didn't think you had the strength to do. This happens because you declare to yourself that you're not drown in The Suck.
Strategy No. 2. Good stuff in, good stuff out
The saying, “Garbage in, garbage out” is true, so eliminate all negative news and media. Everyone defines “negative” differently. Whatever it is for YOU, eliminate it from your life (maybe permanently). For me, this is more than just politics, crime, world tragedies. It's also my beloved crime TV shows, which I love love love. They are like potato chips; I can't watch just one. I have discovered that I feel less motivated to push through when I watch those types of shows.
The more I feel The Suck, the more I know I need to put even more good stuff in. That means turning off the negativity, so I can eek more good stuff out!
Strategy No. 3. Tell yourself you are doing it
“I can do this.”
That's it, just say that to yourself.
When I said this recently in the presence of a friend, she immediately replied, “Wait a minute, Donna Maria, you ARE DOING this.”
That changed my whole perspective. I became a more active and current participant in the midst of The Suck. I went from planning to be awesome in the future to being awesome in that moment. It changed my mindset immediately, and I was able to pull myself out of The Suck and press forward. (Thanks Patricia!)
Strategy No.4. Lean on previous empowering experiences
Simply remembering some of the awesome things you have done in the past, including difficult challenges you have overcome, will empower and inspire you to push ahead.
You have done incredible things in your life, even during times when you didn't think you could. Remember those moments now, and build on them. You've triumphed before, and you can triumph again!
Strategy No. 5. Be realistic
Don't expect The Suck to turn completely around on a dime just because your mind says it should. If you set the bar too high, and don't reach it, you'll probably feel even worse.
Challenge yourself to keep going, but don't set a miraculous goal that sets you up for failure. Don't coddle yourself or allow yourself to check out, but do be gentle and realistic about the progress you can make in the midst of The Suck.
The high bars will still be there when you have navigated a bit out of The Suck.
Declare your intention to keep going strong, and it will become an actual event in your life.Click To TweetDonna Maria, Indie Business Network
Strategy No. 6. Don't take it personally
Life is not out to get you individually. You don't “deserve” The Suck. It just happens.
Don't look for some ethereal explanation for why you are experiencing The Suck. It's not personal to you, so don't beat yourself up about it. The Suck is part of the human condition. Recognizing that it's not happening because you are a bad person, or that you've committed some irreversible sin, helps you avoid pointless guilt so you can move forward in your life.
Strategy No. 7. Love on yourself
Sometimes, you; experience The Suck because you are not caring properly for yourself. Are you getting adequate rest? Are you getting enough sleep? Do you take time to exercise, enjoy body massage, or go for a walk in the forest?
Giving yourself the gift of love can make a huge difference as you move through The Suck.
Strategy No. 8. Use technology to reach out to trusted friends
Create a text group with at least 2 like-minded, trusted entrepreneurial friends and share your quick experiences with them so they can give you the quick fist pumps you need to tackle The Suck.
I have done this for years in a few intimate groups, and let me tell you — the empowerment is off the chain. We share victories, but we also share sad occurrences, disappointing experiences, heartache, and frustration. It is empowering to know that other successful women go through the same things we go through, yet they still make magic happen.
Sometimes, you don't have time to talk in the midst of the The Suck, yet you still crave affirmation and uplift from people who know you well and want the best for you. Texting is a great way to get this affirmation because it is super quick without losing the power of the connection and affirmation. Try it!
Strategy No. 9. Know that is it temporary
Remind yourself that The Suck will go away. “It came to pass.” Nothing is any more permanent than you make it. Decide it will only last so long, and it will only last so long.
Strategy No. 10. Plan to make tomorrow a better day
If you've decided that today is just going to suck (that is a decision), then at least get out your planner and plan to make tomorrow not suck. Schedule a workout, lunch with a friend, consuming an empowering chapter in a book, listening to a favorite positive podcast or audio book … pick something to do that will make tomorrow a better day, and then plan when you will do it.
Question
No matter who you are or what your station in life, even during good times, some things can still suck. If you find yourself in the middle of The Suck, try some of these strategies, and let me know how they work! Feel free to share any of your own “anti-sick” strategies in the comments below, and don't forget to share this empowering information with a friend on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
