2 Rituals People I Admire Share

Although the journey may be tough at times, it always feels better to be exhausted from tiny bits of progress, than it does to be tired of doing nothing at all. 

Every step counts.

Just because you’re struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing. Every success requires some type of worthy struggle to get there:

1. They gradually turn life’s obstacles around.
Many of the most iconic books, songs and inventions of all time were inspired by gut-wrenching pain and heartbreak. 

Therefore, the silver lining of these painful challenges is that they were the catalyst to the creation of epic masterpieces.

An emerging field of psychology called Post-Traumatic Growth has suggested that many people are able to use their hardships and traumas for substantial creative and intellectual development. 

Specifically, researchers have found that trauma can help people grow in the areas of interpersonal relationships, contentment, gratitude, personal strength, and resourcefulness.
When our view of the world as a safe place, or as a certain type of place, has been shattered, we are forced to reboot our perspective on things. 

We suddenly have the opportunity to look out to the periphery and see things with a new, fresh set of beginner’s eyes, which is very conducive to personal growth and long-term success and wellness.

2. They mindfully focus on the positive.
A recent scientific study showed that doctors who are put in a positive mood before making a diagnosis consistently experience significant boosts to their intellectual abilities than doctors in a neutral state, which allows them to make accurate diagnoses almost 20% faster. 

The same study then shifted to other vocations and found that optimistic salespeople outsell their pessimistic counterparts by over 50%. 

Students primed to feel happy before taking math tests substantially outperform their neutral peers. 

So it turns out that our minds are literally hardwired to perform at their best not when they are negative, or even neutral, but when they are positive.

Of course, that’s not to say that people never get upset, but your effectiveness in all walks of life will fare better if you’re able to mindfully accept and let go of negative emotions, rather than dwelling on them. 

Think a little less about managing your problems and a little more about managing your mindset. 

And of course, if you're struggling with any of this, know that you are not alone. 

Many of us are right there with you, working hard to feel better, think more clearly, and get our lives back on track.