FALLING UP – HOW TO CAPITALIZE ON THE LOWS IN YOUR LIFE?

Quoting Robert F. Kennedy “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”

Ever thought what is stopping you from achieving the greatness you were always meant to be? Well, decoding the above quote by Robert F. Kennedy, your fear of consequences might be what is causing you more than the consequences themselves.

Your brain, even if you are not acknowledging it on a daily basis, is constantly devising and rewriting maps to find a way to get what you want in life. These maps are vital when it comes to succeeding and thriving in the world of business. And even if we don’t acknowledge it, this equally affects our personal relationships. Taking a fall doesn’t have to always mean, crumbling the foundation of the castle you have built so far.

So, let me introduce you to the concept of FALLING UP!

“Falling up” is a strategy to get yourself “up” when life pulls you down. If you think the winds are not in your favour and everything is going southwards, Voila! You have just found yourself the window of opportunity to multiply and grow. When something happens that sets you back, you can walk down three mental paths–

1. Keep circling where you are.

This is what I call the null and void effect. The time you can be the lost sheep in the herd and move but, this path lead will take you nowhere.

2. Move towards further negative consequences.

Now, catch hold of your agony aunt, spend time self-loathing and cribbing because God doesn’t love you enough and the entire universe is conspiring to bring you down.

3. Move from a setback to a place where you are even stronger than before.

Personal favourite! Learn the lesson, take the experience and find a way forward. Even if it means taking one step at the time and making small improvements, I insist, do that.

The third option, easier said, then done…we know is not easy to follow, that too at times where plan A has failed and you are not too sure about where you are headed? But truth to be told, when we feel helpless it is human to stop believing that a path does exist. Our judgment gets foggy, but it is our ability to believe and work towards the third path that will determine if we are ready to rise above our failures. Wish to revise your situation? Before visiting any Wellness Centre, I insist you try the ABCDE Technique.

***Grab a Pen and a Paper***

Please write down your experience on the following:

• Adversity (the negative event or problem you are facing) –

Big or small, it can be anything that is bothering you at the moment. Like, “My boyfriend hasn’t called me in three weeks.”; “I am being rejected in all my job interviews.”; “I have lost my business and losing my family too.”

• Identify ( write the negative beliefs triggered by this problem) –

The problem is leaving a negative impact if you are thinking, “I don’t deserve such a loving wife.”, “Who will hire me?” or “I’m terrified that he thinks that I am too boring.”

• Record (write the things you are saying, feeling, how you are acting around people)-

Even a single change that you think is minor matters. Like, “I feel miserable and lonely” “I am not calling my boyfriend, I have never been good at relationships” or “I’ll skip the dinner party this weekend.

• Dispute (fight the negative belief, challenge it, think of other possible reasons for the problem) –

There has to be a second side of the coin. “Perhaps my friend has been extremely busy. I remember her mentioning a big contract at work,” or “Maybe he’s feeling down himself and wants me to call instead.”

• Consider (Choose the more optimistic explanations for your problem, that can energize you and lift your spirits)-

This is not turning blind eye to the problem. Accepting a rational explanation will help you ease your anxiousness giving you peace and clarity to function better. Like, “This means, I have an entire weekend to myself. Now I can eat whatever I feel like, read that book and  chill with my Netflix maybe.”

What does the result look like? Was I able to help you with your reasoning? If you wish to share your answers with a profession, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Maybe you do not need Depression & Anxiety Treatment but a perspective.

All I am trying to tell you is, you are the phoenix that can rise from ashes. But only, if you have the courage to shed the weight from your wings and aim for that single flight towards falling up.