I’ve noticed that a bad day can be salvaged or redeemed by simply following through on key goals that I lay out each day as I follow the 365 Commitment process. Getting a few key priorities accomplished each day may not make that day great, but at least those actions add to to the bigger picture goal. Incremental effort each day toward what is most important has a way of adding up. I believe this is true. Daily effort adds up and will payoff in the long run, it not today.
Even if you are having a bad day and cannot imagine success, keep slogging along the path that is right for today, and before you know it you will achieve success beyond your imaginings. Trials and our endurance of them give life meaning. Recalling memories of past feats of endurance can give us courage when things are difficult in the present.
We are not meant to lay around in soft beds beds eating grapes, at least not for long. We are built to handle difficulties and we are stronger than we realize. It helps to remember the saying “this too shall pass” when we are in the midst of difficulty. You may not reach your goal today or tomorrow, but you will reach it if you keep moving towards it regardless of how you feel today. Don’t let negative thinking keep you from making forward progress.
Here are some strategies for dealing with negative thinking. If I find yourself thinking “I will never be happy again”, realize that this is “fortune telling,” a kind of fallacious thinking; talk back to such thoughts. Say, “I am sad now, but I will feel better soon.” If I find yourself thinking “I am a failure” realize that this is “labeling” and say “I have succeeded at many things.” If I find myself blaming others – saying “it’s your fault,” I need to look at my part in it. If I find my self saying “I should have done,” I will instead say “I will learn from my mistakes.”
Not everyday is going to he hunky dory on the 365 Commitment journey. Regardless, keep on keepin’ on and complete this key tasks regardless of how you feel, and push back against negative thoughts. Regardless of how I feel about today, as long as I have made progress toward what is most important, then it is a good day.
Ben Wagner (163)
Member The 365 Commitment
