The Context
When we get discouraged, the easiest thing to do is stay discouraged. To descend down the spiral of doubt and fear, throwing a pity party for one, amplifying and exacerbating our already negative appraisal of ourselves. It’s not helpful and it’s not healthy. But then again, it’s really hard to resist the pull of negative momentum. Especially when we routinely don’t get the praise we feel deserve. And so, the goal is not to run from these difficult emotions. Because if we feel discouraged and defeated and depressed, there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, it actually means we are human and alive and swinging. Not a bad thing. But the thing about sitting in your own shit is, it’s warm, it’s familiar and it’s yours. No wonder it’s so easy to stay discouraged. What we need during this situation is a catapult of confidence.
The Tool
Selfless Service
SELFLESS SERVICE -- A ritual of taking small, productive actions on our own behalf that create value in the world for at least one person besides ourselves.
At the very least, we can check another box on our victory log, knowing that we have done something to keep moving our story forward. That’s a catapult of confidence. And when discouragement has become a resounding part of our daily life, it is one of the few surefire ways to stop us from sitting in our own shit too long.
The Rest
Our efforts are not be rewarded with money or attention or whatever other external currency we think we need. But it's still worth it.
What changes when you choose to be in service to something other than your ego?
The Benefits
Increases your confidence
Builds momentum when you’re down
Overcomes consistent periods of inaction
Gets you out of your ego and into reality