When we get discouraged, the easiest thing to do is stay discouraged.
To descend down the spiral of doubt and fear, throwing a pity party for one, amplifying and exacerbating our already negative appraisal of ourselves.
It’s not helpful and it’s not healthy. But then again, it’s really hard to resist the pull of negative momentum. Especially when we routinely don’t get the praise we feel deserve.
And so, the goal is not to run from these difficult emotions. Because if we feel discouraged and defeated and depressed, there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, it actually means we are human and alive and swinging. Not a bad thing.
But in the words of one of my favorite standup comedians, the thing about sitting in your own shit is, it’s warm, it’s familiar and it’s yours.
No wonder it’s so easy to stay discouraged.
In my experience, what we need during this situation is a catapult of confidence. A daily ritual of taking small, productive actions on our own behalf that create value in the world for at least one person besides ourselves.
From doing housework to having coffee with a friend in need to giving design feedback on a friend’s new website to singing holiday songs at the local senior community. Our efforts might not be rewarded with money or attention or whatever other external currency we think we need.
But at the very least, we can check another box on our victory log, knowing that we have done something to keep moving our story forward. That’s a catapult of confidence.
And when discouragement has become a resounding part of our daily life, it is one of the few surefire ways to stop us from sitting in our own shit too long.
LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What changes when you choose to be in service to something other than your ego?
* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
Author. Speaker. Strategist. Inventor. Filmmaker. Publisher. Songwriter.
It’s the world’s first, best and only product development and innovation gameshow!
Tune in and subscribe for a little execution in public.
Join our community of innovators, artists and entrepreneurs
Subscribe
Daily updates straight to your inbox.
Bio
