Dr. Barton Goldsmith: 10 reasons to keep trudging onward

1. Don’t give up. Once you quit, nothing is ever quite the same. Whether it’s a relationship, a job or your life, you are in charge of your choices. Giving up may enter your mind, but find some way to keep going, even if you have to do things a little differently.

2. Take it one day at a time. This world can be tough going. Former lovers sue each other, companies fire people to increase the bottom line, and there are evil people out there who get their kicks by hurting others. You can’t let all this get to you. Try talking first, because you don’t always need a lawyer, and get your personal support system involved.

3. Love and prosperity can come in a New York minute, so be ready. You really do never know what tomorrow will hold. I have seen things change drastically, and for the better, overnight. And even if change takes a little longer, it’s better than hiding from the world.

4. Stay positive. The world is not your enemy. Albert Einstein once said that the most important decision we ever make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe. This is true wisdom from a great man who knew more about the nature of things than almost anyone.

5. Keep moving forward. You may have been hurt badly, but you’re not broken. You may have lived through a life-altering trauma, but if you have a beating heart and air in your lungs, you can get back on your feet.

6. Go at your own pace. Remember, it’s not a race. If you do just one thing a day, you will make progress. If doing that one thing seems overwhelming, get started anyway. You can always give yourself the weekend off. Pretty soon, you will find that doing this work to get to the next level of your life is actually rewarding, and you’ll begin to feel better.

7. Even making a little progress can go a long way. The key is to stick with the task. It’s like writing a book. In the beginning, you have an idea, or maybe several, but by writing one page at a time, you will complete the task and feel pretty great about yourself. Progress is a great healer.

8. Recognize that what you are going through now is not permanent. Sadly, there may be things we can do nothing about, but we have more control over our own moods and actions than most people think. Whatever circumstance you are dealing with, your job is to nurture the strength within yourself. Doing this will bring you greater stability and success in all areas.

9. Think about what you’re thinking. If you are thinking you’ll fail, it could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Research says that up to 80% of our thoughts are negative. But when you learn to recognize your negative thoughts, you can begin to think more positively, which will make you feel better about yourself and your life. Imagine having 80% positive thoughts!

10. Learn to deal with disappointment. When Murphy’s Law is in full force, you may wonder why you are even trying. The truth is that successful people in all walks of life have to deal with disappointment sometimes. It’s part of the deal. The trick is not to let disappointments stop you.

Don’t let life throw you off-track. Take the time you need to refocus and gain some clarity. You will be better prepared for your next adventure.