Architect of Your Own Fortune

 (PHOTO: Me on part of the Drakensburg Mountains in South Africa)

   

Everyone is the architect of their own fortune. 

This quote (adapted to fit today's language styles) has been credited to various people, but Appius Claudius Caecus (340 BC – 273 BC) said it first in a speech addressed to Cineas, declaring that Rome would never surrender.

 How does that apply to you, here in the 21st century? There is deep wisdom in the phrase. It implies that everyone has the power to direct their own lives; create the fortune that makes them happiest. 

 You hold the key to unlocking your ultimate life. 

           You also hold the key to beating depression, anxiety or whatever you may be fighting. It's not easy to have your ultimate life, or reach your full potential. It's difficult. Really difficult. Most things worth anything are very hard to get, or achieve. That is part of what makes them so alluring, and in the end, so rewarding. Would you feel as proud if you achieved something without even trying? No (well maybe you would, but I'm guessing no), you'd feel bored. Part of achieving your goals and reaching your pinnacle is the road along the way. The obstacles you overcome help you grow and gain strength (mentally, physically and spiritually). 

           Though the path you desire to carve through life may seem daunting, and reaching your goals impossible, it doesn't have to be so. Especially when you remember that you have the power in yourself, and you can control your choices. Control is generally an illusion. We can't control the weather, or nature. But we can control our reactions to events and our choices in life. 

            In following our paths we will come across obstacles, they are an inevitable part of life. We will fall down. Nothing is perfect. Life is not perfect. Life is not fair. There is only one way past these obstacles: "adapt and overcome"; to borrow a phrase used so often by Bear Grylls (survivalist, writer and producer). 

            Though his shows are generally over-the-top, somewhat set-up and usually involve an inordinate amount of creature-killing, his expression is exactly what so many of us need to hear. And it's not just applicable to surviving nights out in the flat tundra of the arctic. 

           To adapt and overcome applies to so many facets of life. Overcoming any obstacle or challenge naturally involves accepting the situation and gradually re-adjusting our route. We can choose to get stuck behind the obstacle and sit there, waiting. But the obstacle will go nowhere and neither will we. Only when we choose to be the Architect of Our Own Fortune and press forward, adapting to our situations and overcoming them gradually with the help of friends, family and other social networks will we move forward on our journeys to health, happiness and success.

Please take a few moments to listen to this very motivating song by a progressive metal band from Sweden:
Circus Maximus - Architect of Fortune

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Other topics you may be interested in: 

 What motivates you?

Engine for Change - Motivation for self-relection and self-improvement. 

Staying Motivated when Discouraged

"A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step"

 

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." 

Lao-tzu, The Way of Lao-tzu 

Chinese philosopher (604 BC - 531 BC)

          Today I was speaking with a friend about motivation, road-blocks and walls. We are both musicians, and aspire to create. There is nothing like the feeling of cohesive music that just flows from your mind into your instrument and out into beautiful music. There is nothing like writing the perfect poem or story, or achieving your goals. But there are so many potential obstacles that can arise along the way. The thoughts of encountering these obstacles, or actually encountering them, is enough to stop most people's motivation dead in its tracks.

The same is true for coping with depression or anxiety. There are many walls and obstacles that can crop up - some may be physical, some may be emotional/mental. Sometimes the simplest task is overwhelming and the urge to shrink from it is strong. Getting out of bed some days can be very hard for some people. Facing a personal fear can be daunting. Finding the will inside to keep pressing forward, through the emotional fog and walls can be exhausting. Finding the motivation can sometimes seem impossible.

As people, we don't often give ourselves credit where it's due; we are our own hardest critics, our worst judges. It has been said before and it's true. But this mindset doesn't help to keep you motivated, and it definitely doesn't keep you feeling mentally well. We rarely look behind us to see where we have come, the challenges we have conquered, the goals we have achieved. We are constantly looking forward, berating ourselves for not being there yet, not being better yet, not being good enough.

When taking on a big battle like fighting depression and anxiety, or setting long-term goals, or starting a new routine or habit, people don't often acknowledge the little steps they take along the way in order to make it to the end goal. It's an all-or-nothing, black-and-white perspective that will leave them feeling defeated.

I didn't do all the tasks I had set out today. I'm a failure. 

I didn't run the whole 5km. I didn't succeed.

I didn't.... 

This list can go on.

But, chances are, you did do some of the tasks on your list. And chances are you at least put on your shoes, maybe took a few steps, maybe you ran half your 5k. Chances are, you did do something to help you achieve your goal. These are little steps.

They are the most important steps you will take.

Little steps are what set you in motion for sustaining habits; they are the power behind the inertia of routine. They will get you to where you are going.

Be happy with the little steps, as they are the biggest part of your journey.




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Other topics you may be interested in:

Overwhelmed? Carve a Staircase Out of a Wall!

Engine for Change - Motivation for self-relection and self-improvement.

Motivating and encouraging statements - Help yourself stay above the water!

Staying Motivated When Discouraged

Empowering yourself quickly: while coping with anxiety, job-searching or other life challenges.

Well Conquerors, it's back to the grindstone for a lot of us: back to work, back to school, back to real life.
If you are fortunate enough to have a job to come back from the summer holidays from, count yourself lucky. But for those of you finding yourself confused with the next steps in your life, read on!

Don't wait around for opportunities to come to you, you have to go and find them.

This applies to so many different facets in life; particularly when trying to find a job or attend a school of your choice.

We have been raised in a society which fosters the development of entitlement. The educated and intelligent people pouring out of universities and colleges (and high school even) expect that there will be a job waiting for them.

It doesn't always work like that..

Now this isn't to crush dreams and hopes of ever finding something stable and satisfying, but it certainly should serve as a reminder of how to stay focused on things in your life that need immediate attention - especially when job searching. 

In this current economy, the market is less favourable than it was in previous years. Even for those with degrees and experience.

For the average person, losing a job and then embarking on the search for a new one is daunting enough.

For someone who deals with anxiety on a daily basis in a variety of environments, losing a job or searching for a job can be extremely stressful.

There are a few ways that you can take your challenging situation and turn it around to give yourself a bit more power. You can quickly get a sense of control over your situation by writing down three immediate, short-term goals.

Each day, you can write out three things you need to accomplish in order to move you forward in your situation (job-search, coping with anxiety, going to work, whatever your struggle).

An example could be (for job-searching):

1) Polish resume and start a LinkedIn* account

2) Apply to 5 jobs at least (do not be picky, just apply, apply, apply...).

3) Call friends and family and let them know you are available to work – NETWORK!

An example for coping with anxiety or depression:

1) Call up a friend and meet for coffee – take small challenges

2) Clean the dishes (or one dish; whatever you can manage)

3) Write in your journal

The most important rule for goal-setting when coping with anxiety or depression is to ensure your goals have a 95% chance of being reached. That is, if you write it, there is a 95% chance you will do it. If the chance you will succeed is less than that, reduce your expectations.

If you want to go for a walk, but there is not even a chance you’ll get out the door, that goal is too high for you. Drop your goals until they are within your 95% margin of possibility.

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*LinkedIn is useful for online and other applications – it serves as a quick way to reference you when you are job searching. If you include it in the conclusion of your cover letter, or in the contact area of your resume, chances are a potential employer will check it out.

Make sure to include your resume, any skills or talents, and a contact email (be wary about including phone numbers on your online-profiles for safety).