Rebuilding After Loss
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In life, no matter how hard you fall, you can always rebound. Here are some timeless principles for recovering after defeat and coming back better than ever:
- I Did It Before, I Can Do It Again
The phrase ‘I did it before, I can do it again’ is the ultimate affirmation when you’re in the midst of loss, whether it relates to health, finances or relationships.
- Homeostasis.
Homeostasis is our state of ‘normal’. This is what can make us want to go back to where we once were or make a sense of loss linger. When faced with homeostasis, remind yourself that, although you might not be in control of much in this world, you are in control of your own thoughts, actions and ability to change yourself.
- Learn From loss.
The irony about loss is that it often teaches us what’s really worthwhile. When you experience defeat, be a student and ask yourself what you can learn. What were your tendencies and habits? If you were in that situation again, what would you do differently? As Nelson Mandela once said, “I never lose. I either win or learn.”
- Reset and Recharge.
Oprah Winfrey once said, “If you neglect to recharge your battery, it dies. And if you run full-speed ahead without stopping for water, you’ll lose momentum to finish the race.” You must remember that loss is emotional. Give yourself time to be human, reset and recharge.
2. The Power of Reserves
In this country, hundreds of thousands of civilians hold full-time jobs but also have military training and can be called upon in times of crisis. You too can have a National Guard that you can call upon, with three types of reserves available to you.
- Emotional Reserves.
When you experience loss, you need to have the emotional power to persevere and start over. Og Mandino’s 10 Ancient Scrolls for Success are a phenomenal resource that can help. Say these affirmations every day and you will really tap into your emotional power.
- Financial Reserves.
Peaks and valleys will always be a constant in life, which is why you must work hard to put aside financial reserves to cover your personal, home and business expenses. This will take time, but, if you get into a habit and build on it, you will ultimately be in a much stronger position. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”
- The Foundation.
When you build on your reserves, you go from survival to stability to success to significance. Ask yourself: Is your financial house built on sand? Or is it built on rock?
3. Invest in Your Future
With all the uncertainties and challenges in our society today, it can be hard to know how or what to invest in. Remember, this too shall pass!
- Invest for the Long Term.
When it comes to investing, patience is key. You have to be willing to buy in unsettled and distracted times and then you have to be patient! Real estate, stocks and bonds all do well over time, but poorly when people try to time the market. As Warren Buffett said, “Only buy something that you’d be perfectly happy to hold if the entire market shut down for 10 years.”
- Invest With Confidence.
When it comes to investing, you must have faith – in yourself most of all. Investing in your future means investing in training, self-development and a coach. The best investment you can ever make is an investment in yourself.
- Know When To Hold ’Em; Know When To Fold ’Em.
You must regularly analyze and assess your investments. Would you make the same investment today? Has the market changed? Has the business changed? As Kenny Rogers once sang, “You have to know when to hold ’em; know when to fold ’em!”
No matter what you’ve lost, you can rebound. When you fall, get back up and try again because, as an old friend once counseled me, “It’s not how hard you fall. It’s how high you bounce!”
Listen to the latest episode of “It’s a Good Life” to learn more.
