It's All In The Attitude

When I get depressed, I go for it.  Never one to do things half-heartedly, I eat Betty Crocker Chocolate Chunk Brownie dough right out of the bowl!

 

I’ve found that a really good depression requires not getting dressed.  I have a bathrobe that even nuns would pity.  People who’ve taken vows of poverty would turn up their noses at this heavy, black, polyester, neck-to-toes robe.  One plus is that it’s warm and snuggly in the winter.  (You’d bake to death in it in August.  It’s strictly a seasonal outfit.)  When I’m depressed, I stay in it all day.  My friends seem amazed that I can get so low and then bounce back.  My secret is the chocolate and the robe.  There are three other big secrets though that I’ll share with you.

 

1. Get out of the house. 

You can be a slug for one day, but the second day you’ve got to get dressed and get going – anywhere.  I work out of my house and I forbid myself to stay home alone two days in a row.  That means I have to go to the library, go to the mall, make an appointment with a client or potential client – anything that will get me up and dressed and out of the house.  Ideally, do tasks that will move you closer to meeting your goals.

 

2. Work out.

Hit the gym!  At least put on some good walking shoes and hoof it.  Exercise releases chemicals in your brain (endorphins) which are like morphine – except they’re legal!  So sweat!  Not only will you feel better, you’ll look better, think better and sleep better after working out.

 

3. Monitor your self talk.

Talk to yourself like you would a friend.  Be positive!  Encourage yourself.  Instead of thinking, “What if they don’t buy from me?” think to yourself, “What if they do buy from me?”  Instead of “What if they say no?” think “What if they say yes?” or instead of “What if it fails?” think “What if it works?” and so on.

 

The great news is that you can make these changes at any time!  No matter what old habits you’ve adopted, you can get out of the house, take a brisk walk and change how you talk to yourself right now.  Before you know it, you’ll start feeling chipper and thinking positively again.  (Plus, and this may be the best news, you’ll start burning off some of that brownie dough.)  Now that’s something to smile about!

 

—Vicki Hitzges

Vicki is a globe-trotting motivational speaker based in Dallas.  Mentored by Zig Ziglar, she’s spoken across the United States, Thailand, Panama and New Zealand.  Her new book “Attitude is Everything – 10 Rules to Staying Positive” sold out overnight and is now in it’s second printing.