“As you live by your values, your sense of identity, integrity, control and inner-directedness will infuse you with both exhilaration and peace. You will define yourself from within, rather than by other people’s opinions or by comparison to others.” – Stephen Covey

Think of the last time that you accomplished a goal. How long did your happiness last for? How long did it take before you came down from the high, and began focusing on the next challenge? I’m going to guess that it wasn’t long.

“Your Attention Please: No one is coming to save you. This life of yours is 100% your responsibility.” - Anonymous

What can you do right now to change your life? This chapter will get you started.

It is time to take stock of what screen time is actually costing you, not just in terms of time, but also sanity.

Advertisements work. Social conditioning (judging yourself against your perceptions of others) impacts your mental health. The 24/7 news cycle is depressing.

Imagine if somebody came up behind you and dumped a bucket of iced water onto your head. No warning. One second you are warm and dry and the next you are freezing and wet.

What are the chances that you would still be thinking the same thoughts?

“Make not your thoughts your prisons.” – William Shakespeare

I have noticed a peculiar thing about my mental afflictions, they come with a warning system, kind of like a weatherman’s forecast.

My internal weatherman is not perfect, but he often provides me with some vital warning signs that can help me avoid an oncoming catastrophe. Sometimes the signs line up and I am in for a week of mental anguish, emotional turbulence, and significantly diminished functionality. Other times the storm innocently passes by and I am quickly back to my normal self.

“By recording your dreams and goals on paper, you set in motion the process of becoming the person you most want to be. Put your future in good hands – your own.” – Mark Victor Hanson

Goals act as motivating guide posts to keep you on the path of following your dreams. Write them up, put them on your wall, and look at them everyday.

“Hope for the best. Plan for the Worst.” – Lee Child

A crisis plan outlines what you would like to occur when you are going through a mental health emergency It acts as a trigger for action that when implemented, takes you through the steps necessary to get the help that you may need.

It is impossible breathe deeply with a slouched, tense, ‘anxious or depressed’ posture. This physiological change of posture will send a signal to your brain and your mood will begin to change.

So take 10 slow and deep breaths right now. Sounds cliche, but it works. Give it a try!

“Learning how to learn is life’s most important skill.” – Tony Buzan 

No matter what you want to accomplish in life, one thing is certain, it will require learning. Therefore the skill of learning is one of the most important things to develop. If you know how to learn, every possibility is open to you.

Your mind and body are completely interconnected.

It is difficult to remain in a sound mind when you are feeling lethargic, sick, bloated, tired, run-down, or in pain.

You literally are what you eat.

Take stock of your financial situation: review your current expenses, and divert spending towards what you value. Pay off any debts starting with the highest interest rate first. Buy the best quality tools that you can afford and share wherever possible.

It wasn’t until I tried writing that I saw major improvements as a direct result of treatment.

Unlike talking therapy, I found that I could express myself far more freely onto a blank page. When I sat down to write, I didn’t have to worry about what the page thought of me. It can’t judge. I could ramble, reiterate and back track without concern for transmitting understanding to someone else.

By squeezing and relaxing each muscle you will relieve any physical tension held in the body.

I have found a lot of success on Skillshare, and have guaranteed a small, yet stable source of online income. Not yet enough live off, but enough to know that I can buy food for my family if my regular job disappears.