Hey Francis, we would like to have you come over and speak to us.
This is the usual line I get from people and clients who would invite me for keynote speeches or even whole day trainings. And guess what the most requested topic these days would be?
Hard Times. Difficult Times.
Now you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that we are headed for hard times or maybe for a lot of us are in it already.
I just got a call from an old time friend who used to be in the garments industry. The old familiar words were said once more: “Francis, I closed down my factory because we just were not making money anymore.”
And this causes depression to a lot of people I know.
Depression is a killer and if you don’t have a personal toolbox that contains depression busters then you may just add one more problem to the many you already have.
Here are some anti-depression tools you may find useful.
A toolbox of ways to overcome everyday emotional struggles and find peace.
Remember this: If you do not want to hit bottom-stop digging the hole.
Let’s look at some of the ways to beat depression.
1. REALIZE YOU ARE NO SUPERMAN. DUH!
There are things you can do and there are things you can’t do. Success has a way of making people think they’re invincible. And then comes the fuel price increase, the food shortage, global warming. If you can fix this then go ahead and do so if not then realize there are things you have to accept and feeling depressed and miserable over what you cannot control is not going to make your situation better. Ever tried prayer?
2. MIX WITH POSITIVE PEOPLE.
When you are feeling down make sure you find the right people you want to be with. Even the Bible says “Bad company ruins good morals.” There are doomsday prophets and naysayers out there whose job it is to make people share their own misery. These are the same people who brighten up the room by leaving it. Positive people offer encouragement and positive people are usually tough people who have outlasted tough times. Learn a thing or two from them. I am so fortunate I belong to a group of very dynamic business people who are not only successful and positive but they take time and seriously pray for one another especially those who are going through tough times.
3. SWEAT IT OUT.
Take out your running shoes or get into your basketball gear and channel your energy into worthwhile exercise. Every time I hit the treadmill I realize that I spend energy on being healthy and it gets my mind developing more creative ideas. Some may help me work on my existing situation while other ideas I store for future use. When you exercise your mind produces endorphins which is our body’s natural opiate that enables us to face pain and unpleasant circumstances. When your body is weak your problems become larger than life so make sure you make yourself healthy and you keep yourself healthy all the time.
4. READ AND LEARN
My books are some of my best friends and they keep me good company. Not only that. Podcasts and audio books keep me learning too. I don’t want to be passive when I see myself in the middle of a difficult situation but since I know I am no superman and is in no position to alter the situation, while waiting for new developments to happen I keep my mind occupied with reading and listening so I can learn and get more new ideas. And then the time is right, apply them and make use of good time.
Hey…I don’t care what the religious fanatics say but depression hits even the best of us. It is not something to be ashamed of. Even the great men of the Bible went through it.
The key here is to understand you do not have to stay depressed.