How to Find Courage in Discouragement

Ever feel discouraged in your journey? If you’ve led anything for more than a few months or have been part of anything great; I’m sure you’ve felt discouragement. Here are some of the reasons you may feel discouraged sometimes:

• You get a lot of “NO’s”.
• Progress isn’t happening as fast as you’d like.
• Or maybe success is happening too fast and you’re afraid of failing.
• The voices of the critics are getting to you.
• Others SEEMED to be doing so much better than you.

Personally, I’ve had moments where I felt so discouraged in my businesses that I thought of quitting everything. Have you ever felt like that? Let’s face it, it’s easy to get discouraged in life. Especially when you feel like all you do  is play catch up rather than get ahead.

If I’m talking to you, let me reassure you that you are not alone. We’ve all been there at one time or another. However, it’s important to remember that it’s not the feeling of discouragement that determines your outcome, it’s the actions that you take or the lack thereof that determine your results.

The root word of discouragement is the word “courage”; so, it should only make sense that the feelings associated with discouragement often try to deal a blow to your inner source of courage. These emotions can cripple you to the point where you avoid taking even the smallest steps that may have huge potential rewards or event worst, lead you to quit on yourself.  

How can you handle discouragement so it doesn’t consume you and destroy your dreams? Here are 5 steps you can take the next time discouragement knocks at your door:

1. Realize that it’s mostly in your head.

It’s not our circumstances that discourage us, it’s our belief about those circumstances that cause these emotions. That’s why two different people can have the same challenge or struggle but have 2 different outcomes.

If you believe that a situation or a series of events mean you are a failure or your business is coming to an end, obviously you will be discouraged. However, if you believe that your current situation is not the end, but simply a learning opportunity to help you stretch and grow, you will feel differently.

It’s all about what you believe. You have the power to change your life.

2. Identify the limiting beliefs that’s causing your discouragement.

Here are some examples:

1. 1. I can’t find new or desirable patients.
   2. I don’t have enough money to afford quality staff.
   3. I’m going to run out of money.
   4. My services or products are not relevant anymore because of new technology.
   5. I can’t keep up with all the competition.
   6. I might as well find a job; business ownership is not working for me.
   7. No one is going to pay that amount for my services or products.

These are just a few of the limiting beliefs that might be behind your discouragement. Take some time to reflect and identify the beliefs that are driving your discouragement. The list of possibilities is almost endless, so be honest with yourself.

3. Talk to someone you trust, get it out of your head.

If you keep the discouragement inside of you, it can slowly eat away at you, make you tired, and even consume you. When you talk to someone, tell them that you are discouraged and explain why. Sometimes, it’s just good to get things like this off our chest.

4. Focus on the facts.

Ninety percent or more of our limiting beliefs are totally untrue! However, there is often an unrelenting fear or doubt that there might be some truth to them. While it may be true that at the moment you can’t find new patients or can’t grow your business, it doesn’t mean that you are forever doomed to that reality! There is always an opportunity for new learning! That’s a fact!

5. Take action in the direction of what you want.

In addition to focusing on the facts, find practical action steps that you can take daily to learn from and improve your situation. If you don’t take action, nothing will change in your circumstances. But you have the power to change your life and your action give you that power.

Take 100% responsibility for your situation, and then you will discover that your actions can make a difference.

Are you struggling in your practice? Do you feel stuck, overwhelmed, and discouraged right now?  If so, you’re not alone.

Become a CEO Diva and connect with other like-minded ODs who are also looking for joy, clarity and fulfillment in their lives. To learn more about how you can join my CEO Divas Circle, click HERE.