How to stay inspired in tough times
We are certainly living in times of uncertainty. Many people are doing it tough financially and terms like “short term recession” are now giving way to ones like economic depression, massive unemployment and major financial panic.
It can be tough to stay motivated when it feels like your world is crashing down around you. Many people are living from week to week and struggling to make ends meet. Last night at work I spoke to a guy who was looking down – when I asked him why, he replied “I think the world news is just getting to me”.
The question is, how do you stay inspired when times are tough? What’s the best way to keep your attitude and expectations high when all around you people are doing it tough?
I’ve read two articles this week which have had particular impact on me, the first is an inspiring post by Gayla McCord from the site momgadget titled When you don’t know what to do, say a prayer and buy the book. In the article she details how her world came crashing down financially and emotionally after the devastating effects of a flood. She was able to turn things around, however – she writes:
My answer had come – I would survive – I would recover and my life and that of my family would change in such an amazing way.
In a single year, I will have sold a website, recovered the worst Midwest flood in 30 years, launched two new businesses… and paid off all my debt.
I love reading articles like this. Every day people making extraordinary decisions that completely change their lives.
The second amazing post I read was by Lance from the Jungle of Life. He posted a video yesterday in an article titled Believe in Yourself. The video is about a man named Nick Vujicic and really has to be seen to be believed. If you are someone who has ever had thoughts like “life isn’t fair” or “other people get all the breaks”, let me encourage you to check it out – it’s a powerful video.
Stay Inspired
How do you stay inspired during troubled times?
I find that reading or hearing about people who have overcome massive adversity and challenges is a real inspiration to me, and helps put my own life into perspective a bit more.
What works for you – how do you stay inspired?
Finally! A magic solution for most problems Are you ready for big changes in your life? Go on, motivate me! Get excited about life! Blatantly Honest Responses to ‘Giving Up on Life’
November 12th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I would go to youtube to search for inspirational videos to inspire me. Stories helps too.
Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger
Vincent’s last blog post..11 Keys To Double Your Productivity
November 12th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
What makes a difference to me is my ability and the ability of others to impact other’s lives in a positive way. I think the whole “financial crisis” is a good turn in that it brings people together and forces people to help one another when they otherwise live their lives in a secluded independent way. Perhaps having a little more balance in life like the rest of the world has when it comes to little finances will be a good think…
Mike King’s last blog post..Maximum Productivity: Attitude
November 12th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
I hate TV and the news on the radio. That depresses me.
Mainly because of media fluff.I am aware of the crisis but don’t need it drummed in to my head.Just deal with it.
People form a unity in these times.
Challenges always strengthen one character.From this crisis we will be stronger to handle what ever the next one is.
Having to cut back on extravagance will allow getting back to the basics.This is always a good thing.
Bunny got Blog’s last blog post..Helping Others To Help Yourself
November 13th, 2008 at 1:27 am
Ross – Thanks for both of those links – I would have not seen them otherwise. At first, I was writing a comment saying that I really didn’t know how to be inspired when things were difficult. I received some bad news recently and have lacked motivation since – that may be due dealing with grief though.
I do, however, feel at least more hopeful since watching the video on Lance’s site so, again, thank you.
Kim Woodbridge’s last blog post..Stuff This In Your RSS – 11/11/08 – The Simple Dollar
November 13th, 2008 at 2:19 am
@Vincent – There certainly is something to be said for inspirational stories, they have a way of putting our own lives in perspective sometimes…
@Mike – I really like how you’ve tied in the “working together” aspect. Sometimes it’s in times of real pain or heartache that people show their true spirit and band together and help each other.
@Bunny – The news can be particularly depressing lately! Challenges have certainly helped to strengthen my character in the past, they seem to bring out the best in people.. Often you see communities working together in times of trouble when usually they would never associate with each other!
@Kim – No worries! I’m glad you took the time to have a look. Like I said – Nick’s video really has to be seen to be believed.. I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had a tough time recently, I truly hope that things work out for you – you have a lot to offer the world.
November 13th, 2008 at 5:23 am
Hi Ross. How to stay motivated…
I like to view these tough economic times as times of opportunities. I know it can be tough, but it truly is a time of opportunity. Change is a time of great opportunity. The book Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, gives tons of examples of people who made it big during the Great Depression. It’s all a mindset….just like the guy at work had let the news get to him. I like to remind myself that it’s up to me whether I choose to play a part in the defeated mindset or opportunity mindset.
Jennifer’s last blog post..Come and Share in My Misery
November 13th, 2008 at 5:54 am
I’m more inspired within than without. I kind of tuned out all news years ago and I only selectively look at stuff with good energy. Of course I also hang with fellows who have a strong belief in personal responsibility. That makes it so much easier to stay up.
Tom / Delight Work’s last blog post..Experimenting For Fun and Profit
November 13th, 2008 at 7:45 am
It’s a perfect question you’re asking. I think my habit is to find something that is completely within my control, and bring my focus there. It can be something small, like what I’m going to eat for dinner, or something silly, like what colors I’m going to wear, but it can always grow from there.
Slowly, I branch back out and realize that 90 percent of my life is within my control. From that perspective, it’s easier to remember that my life is what I choose, and go back to the drawing table to choose what it is I want. From there, inspiration’s a lot closer to the surface.
And hey, there’s always something to be said for having a stiff drink and a good laugh.
Sara at On Simplicit’s last blog post..Handling Feedback Elegantly and Easily
November 13th, 2008 at 8:25 am
@Jennifer – Hi, thanks for your comment. Seeing opportunity in troubled times shows a lot of insight, and can work so much more in your favour than reacting by emotions. I read “think and grow rich” some time ago but you’ve sparked my interest again! (Addit: I was really intrigued by your blog post title: “Come and Share in My Misery” – very intriguing stuff, it made me check it out!)
@Tom – A lot of inspiration does come from within, this is true. Making a decision to “not let life get you down” and staying positive is a big step to facing the challenges of life.
@Sara – Thanks for such a well thought-out and constructed comment! Bringing things back to “things you can control” certainly helps to keep life in perspective. Sometimes it can be easy to be swayed by the “bigger picture” rather than realizing the reality of our own day to day living. You’ve certainly outlined some great steps to stay inspired in the tough times. And yep – I’ll put my hand up to a stiff drink and a good laugh! Cheers.
November 13th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Ross,
First of all, thanks for the video of Nick Vujicic, it can’t be more inspiring than that. Well, another thanks goes to your post on my blog.
On inspiration topic, I’ll tell you from what I have seen in the financial crisis in my country, Thailand, back in 1997. Our economy was basically toppled, financial institutions went out of business on a daily basis. And we didn’t have the “bailout” plan, we watched it collapse.
How do we survive? I’d like to paraphrase from a book, Good to Great by Jim Collins when he talked about Stockdale Paradox.
When asked who could not make it out of the POW camp.
Admiral Stockdale said “the optimists”.
I saw friends lost their homes. Simply too many of them could not pay huge debt. Suicides were across the news headlines; bankruptcy was a word heard more often than success those days.
We had to admit that we are in deep trouble (you can use other vocabularies
). There are people who thought they were fine until the day they lost everything.
Viriya’s last blog post..Are You Ready To Steal?
November 14th, 2008 at 3:57 am
Great article Ross, and great reminders that, even in the midst of what might seem like devastating events – we have much for which to be thankful for! I “try” to avoid watching too much of news programs out there – as they seem to be typically filled with doom and gloom. And seeing too much of that start to affect me mentally. If I avoid it (at least to some degree) – it just seems like my whole outlook on life is a bit more upbeat.
I think Jennifer makes an excellent point, as well. There are opportunities available, we just have to be looking for them, and be willing to maybe take a risk…
Thanks for the link Ross – I appreciate it very much. You are helping to share a story of real hope for our world – and for that I am honored to be included.
Lance’s last blog post..Believe In Yourself
November 14th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
@Viriya – No probs for the video link, it’s really inspiring for sure… I’ve watched it a couple of times! You make an interesting point regarding admitting when we are in trouble. Perhaps this is an important factor?
@Lance – Welcome, to one of the world’s greatest blog commentors! Thanks for your thoughts – I don’t click on news articles that make me feel upset now, where I once read every article! I think you’re right that seeing a lot of doom and gloom can sometimes have an effect on our outlook of life. You’re very welcome for the link, my friend!
November 15th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Hi Rob-
I have been connected to yet another great blog from Tom Volkar’s Delightful Work. I stay inspired by reading self help books, listening to self delvelopment podcasts at night and keeping my head up high. Though I do feel financially crunched and somewhat stuck in a deadend job for now, I stay positive in that this is only a temporary part in my life. I look forward to reading more articles now that i have stumbled upon this blog.
Choose Big and Live Large!
November 15th, 2008 at 12:52 am
I’m sorry- I meant “Ross”-
November 15th, 2008 at 7:13 am
Hi Kristy, thanks for stopping by.. Staying positive in the tough times can definitely be a challenge at times, seeing it as a ‘temporary part of your life’ sounds like a good way to get through it all. Thanks for your comments.
November 17th, 2008 at 4:54 am
When I originally read this article I wanted to comment but had so many thoughts swirling around on the topic I have created a post with my thoughts at http://rideyourbike.us/labels/Inspirational_Challenges.html
As usual your article got me thinking. Thanks for making aware of Vic as well.
Mike
November 17th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Hi Mike, thanks for commenting and visiting. I’m always pleased to hear your feedback, checking your article out now..
December 18th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
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