Believing in Yourself After you've Lost Hope

When things stop going as planned or life happens, it's easy to feel like life is over as you know it. Although it may not feel like it, joy comes in the morning. Giving up should never be an option, use this as an opportunity to learn more about yourself.

Personally, after dealing with depression in college and eventually leaving I felt miserable. I worried about my future and struggled to motivate myself to wake up in the morning. That was until I decided I wanted to rededicate my life to something better and bigger than me. I chose to believe in myself and this is how you do the same.

1. Find a way to win a little everyday

There's nothing more rewarding than getting things done on your daily-to-do list. Or finishing a paper a day early and being able to make it better. By achieving simple tasks you'll enjoy the feeling of winning. Letting good things happen to you by preparing yourself, not just hoping something good will happen.

While doing this, start to think of things you can do the next day to better yourself. Break a bad habit you've had or forgive yourself for something you did in the past and just let go.

Also, if you are building something, like a brand or a business, do things that make small movement in your process. A business plan is about a thirty to fifty page document, try to work out a page a day.

2. Allow yourself to feel good about your wins

Often, when we're overcoming a period of constant negativity or "bad luck", we question why good things begin to happen to us. We tend to ask "Why am I getting all of this good luck" or "Why is this person willing to help me", instead of accepting the good fortune.

Integrate it into your heart and own it as what you do. Everyday ask yourself three questions: 'What worked today?' 'What did I do today?' and 'What goal did I reach today?'.

3. Get some feedback

One thing I learned while dealing with depression is with age comes wisdom. Is there someone you look up to or someone that inspired you to do the work you want to do? Talk to them about potentially becoming your mentor and learn from them. Not only will they be flattered, you may have also inspire them to do what they loved again. Ask them if the work you've done this far is the direction you should be going in. You do not necessarily have to take all of their advice but take them all into consideration.

As entrepreneurs I feel it is very important when we get bursts of inspiration. We should follow it and stop whatever we're doing and pay attention to just that. Sometimes the people around you can be at a point in their life when they're focused on different things, it's ok to love them from a distance. Focus solely on bettering your business and also surround yourself with more business minded people.

Are you constantly getting negative feedback? Then you need to begin to reevaluate yourself. I always believed criticism just means people want to see you succeed so they want you to be perfect. Use that information to improve yourself or a project you are working on.

4. Prime the emotions you want to experience in your life

While I was depressed sometimes I would cry and say "I can't wait until I'm happy," and, "I can't wait until this is over." Isn't that an interesting way of getting through depression? Wake up and loudly read affirmations, make positive to the things that are negatively affecting your life or project.

5. Love yourself

The most important part of believing in yourself is loving yourself. Realize you are great and remember someone is always there to save your life. It could be in the form of a counselor, a teacher, or an EMS lifesavers, someone wants to help you.

Finally in this whole process, make yourself laugh, honor all that is good about yourself, love the process, and love and treat others well, so you will leave a positive legacy.

Love Always,

Jamie Elise