Create your own positive reality

 Life is full of distractions always telling us "later... later..."

Focus on now. The beauty of every moment. Remember that getting lost too far in the past of into the future is detrimental to your current state of mind & actually has the power to change you. Don't let the mistakes of your past or the many possibilities of the future prevent and actively sabotage the you, that you want to become. 

Creating a more positive you is easy, whatever new you, maybe the new isnt so positive. Whatever. Changing who you are easy. You see who you want to be, what you want, it's the projections of others that prevent you from achieving this. The other people you surround yourself with - are they cheering you on or are they hoping you trip up? Everyone loves an underdog story until you surpass them. 

So if others keep telling you otherwise and preventing you from truly becoming who you want to be, how do you stop it? Immersion. 

You know what you need to do, then the voices of doubt kick in.

Fall back on your belief. Hold onto that version of you that you want and don't ever let any setbacks become excuses. Fine, let them, but only temporarily. Setbacks are setups for comebacks.

The power of 3

if you can do something 3 times, you have created a habit. 3 days turns into 3 weeks turns into 3 months turns into 3 years. That's the power of raising something to the third power. Don't let bad news & bad habits be the only things that come in 3's. 

Start by finding 3 positive changes you want to have in your life. Find 3 things: images, quotes, or other reminders. Place them somewhere you can see them regularly.

Next, when the tough gets going - find 3 negatives you keep returning to in your head. Find them. name them. Turn them into a positive. 

When you dive into your new self, your new passion, your new hobby - pay attention to everyone but listen to no one.

And ask a lot of questions. Sometimes what stands between you and a better outcome is a few better questions. 

People will tell you all kinds of different ways they "got there" but the truth is, NONE of them will work for you unless you COPY them. Otherwise, you have to figure it out for yourself because you have to SEE yourself doing the work.

Take the time and patience to grow into something special & you will truly love the new change in you. And you will have it done it all for yourself, by yourself.

Look for the opportunity in chaos

In the journey of life, we all encounter crossroads where the path ahead seems shrouded in darkness. These moments, often marked by overwhelming stress and uncertainty, are the crucibles that forge our future selves. The essence of growth lies in how we navigate these turbulent waters. It's not just about enduring the storm, but learning how to dance in the rain.

Consider the story of Emily, a young entrepreneur who started her own business with dreams as high as the sky. Her initial months were a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Just when she thought she had it all figured out, a major client backed out. The crushing weight of potential failure loomed over her. She felt like her reality was crumbling. But in that moment of despair, Emily leaned on the principles of Stoicism. She realized that while she couldn't control the client's decision, she could control her reaction to it. Instead of viewing it as a failure, she saw it as an opportunity for growth. She revisited her business strategy, diversified her client base, and emerged stronger. What seemed like a breakdown was actually a breakthrough.

Another example is found in the life of Alex, a seasoned investor. He had always prided himself on his analytical skills and market foresight. However, during a particularly volatile period in the financial market, his predictions went awry, leading to significant losses. The experience was jarring. Alex could have succumbed to despair, but he chose to view this setback as a learning experience. He delved deeper into understanding market psychology and emerged with a more robust investment strategy. This shift in perspective from failure to learning was his breakthrough.

In both stories, Emily and Alex faced moments where their realities seemed to break down. But by embracing the Stoic view that we control our perception of events, they transformed these moments into opportunities for significant breakthroughs.

The next time you find yourself on the brink of a meltdown, or when it feels like your world is falling apart, remember these stories. Look for the hidden opportunity in the chaos. Embrace the notion that failure is not a setback, but a stepping stone to growth. Your breakthrough is waiting on the other side of the breakdown.

I think we all can relate to this, especially when times get tough in our lives. Everyone has these difficult moments of growth. What separates a successful future iteration of yourself is how you handle these stressful events. Stoicism would posit that you are in control of how you perceive these stress inducing events. Are they positive or negative? Failure is just growth. Failing leads to breakthroughs.

Next time you feel like a meltdown or your reality is breaking down around you, find the breakthrough