Even the strongest people in the world have bad days.  So when you get worn down, beat up, overwhelmed, or things just aren’t going your way, here are a few tried-and-tested strategies from our President and CEO, Jeff Van Fleet.

Every once in a while we all need a “pick-me-up”.  Sometimes we get worn down, we get beat up, we get overwhelmed, or things just don’t go our way.  It’s in these times that we are tested.

Most of you know that I try to keep a positive attitude about life—and, as a result, I tend to see the positive in most people and most situations.  But frankly, I wear down once in a while myself.  This is when I rely on a support system of people and tools that can help me through.

I try to surround myself with some key people who I like to call “uplifters” and they’re who I lean on.  Some of these folks are family, some are personal friends, and others are people I met online or at conferences who and I stay connected with through lunches, coffee, or social media.  They don’t commiserate with me because that just keeps me stuck where I am. They can see beyond where I am, and help me see beyond it too.  In doing so, they remind me that I’ve been through this before, that life ebbs and flows, and that this is only temporary.

Earlier on, I also mentioned that part of my support system also include some tools.  One of these is my “treasure chest” of uplifting thoughts, and I lean on these to help me get through.  Some of my favorites include:

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions.  Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” – Mark Twain

“I do not fix problems.  I fix my thinking.  Then the problems fix themselves.” – Louis Hay

“Forget past mistakes.  Forget failures.  Forget everything except what you’re going to do now – and do it.” – Nicole Reed

“Do what you can with what you have where you are.  And if a door opens, don’t be afraid to deviate from your plans.” – Theodore Roosevelt

One of the things that I treasure in life is being able to help someone else.  I love that I can make a difference in someone’s life – whether I am coaching someone through a personal challenge, stopping to push a stalled car, holding the door for someone, or speaking kindly to a waitress having a tough day.  It not only helps them, but it helps me too.

How about you?   Do you have a team of “uplifters” that you can rely on?  Do you help lift others up when they’re down?  What do you have in your “pick-me-up” toolbox?

If you are having a difficult time, I hope this article helps you through.  Frankly, it helped me simply by writing it.  Thank you for continuing to read my blog and providing me with this outlet to share my views on leadership.  As always, please feel free to reach out if I can ever help you.

Keep having fun,

Jeff Van Fleet

President & CEO,
Lighthouse Technologies, Inc.
Software Testing | Quality Assurance Consulting | Oracle EBS Consulting