Hitting rock bottom

How to get back on track after hitting rock bottom?

(continued from last week)

4. Lift up others and help them get what they want in life.

When you’re helping others, it takes you out of your own selfish thoughts of “me, mine, why don’t I have enough and how can I get some more?” and puts you into a higher state of being.

In fact, the most powerful thing to come from the enormous mountain of mess you have endured is your ability to help others, through sharing your experience. Let it all be for a purpose. Guide others through their maze, and help to restore hope in someone else.

5. Use the power of words for good.

Words can make people fall in love, or put countries at war. Words can lift us up and words can kill. When making positive changes in your life, one of the most important things you can do is make sure you’re using words that serve your mission, instead of words that pull you, and others, down.

Put the power of positive affirmation to use.

Get excited and tell people about the new positive changes you’re making.

Use your words to inspire others, lift them up, and show them what’s possible.

Use your words to speak truth, love and life.

And try not to complain, about anything… instead, look for solutions.

6. Don’t be a one-man army.

Surround yourself with people who support and empower you and whom you support and empower as well. Put yourself around people who are doing the kinds of things you want to do, and people who are doing them better than you are, and are willing to show you how.

Find people who have walked the path you want to walk, and ask them to show you the way. Find people who are the best at the areas of your life that you want to improve and learn from them. Today, with the Internet and things like Skype, you can access all kinds of people, from every corner of the world, in ways that just 10 or 15 years ago wouldn’t have been possible; so, find a community of like-minded individuals where you can help lift each other up… Whether it’s as informal as a group of friends you hang out with, or a little more structured, like a club, church group … as long as it’s positive, empowering and you enjoy it.

If one doesn’t exist, start one. In person is great, but I know lots of people who are involved in extremely empowering private Facebook groups or Whatsapp groups.

Another important point: if there are people in your life who don’t support you, either get them out of your life, or spend a lot less time with them. The people with whom you surround yourself can make all the difference in your world.

The old adage that we’re the average of our five closest friends has proven to be true time and again, so check your network/friends.

7. Accountability

Give yourself some sort of accountability. Again it is important to have trusted friends or family who are interested in your growth and development; let them help to keep you on track, with honest feedback and at times a strong hand.

8. Read, watch and listen to stuff that empowers you and serves your journey.

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” George RR Martin

The world is filled with books, blogs, videos and courses on just about anything you want to improve, including yourself. There’s “how to” information on literally everything…

… Self-help books, spiritual texts, personal development blogs, business courses, autobiographies, you name it… it’s all been written by people who’ve walked before you. What’s great is you often have many options from many personalities and voices.

If one guy’s voice doesn’t resonate with you, someone else’s will. And if reading’s not your thing, listen to audio books or podcasts or watch videos. Reading and learning has been a paramount part of my own journey. I do it daily, usually for at least an hour, but I prefer two to two and a half hours.

I just want to also leave a couple of inspirational quotes that have worked for me in the past:

“When we hit our lowest point, we are open to the greatest change” – Korra.

“Your breakdown is your breakthrough” – Andrea Benito.

“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life” – JK Rowling.