It’s hard to believe that I was at the lowest point of my life only ten years ago. It’s even more difficult to consider I was so deeply entrenched in the darkness that I had considered this negative state as irreversible. Somehow, I knew that after I attempted to take my life I needed to learn how to embrace a more positive mindset. I had no idea where to begin, and like most people I started by seeking advice.
Working with a psychologist sparked my curiosity about the mechanics of the conscious mind. Following her guidance, I started to make daily changes using simple intentional goals. I read about neuroplasticity, and when I began looking for mentors, their recommendations were implemented into my routines. Here’s what I learnt:
1. Exercise
As recommended by the most impactful people I have met, I started exercising 4 to 5 days a week and slowly, the mental clouds lifted. It was tough, and I hated it at first, but at 166kgs with little flexibility, my body had plenty of reasons to produce pain. I had to accept that health would take time, and each day I just kept putting one foot on front of the other towards the end goal.
2. Meditate
Meditation and visualisation were the next methods that I added. The best version of me lies in my unconscious mind, and every small change removes me from a life of pain. I recall hearing on a podcast that you are what you think. So, if your mindset is small, you will think small, leaving you less likely to take risks or experience happiness in life. By contrast, if your mindset is positive and you think big you do big things (think the image of the cat who sees a lion in its reflection). Each of these tools had a purpose to draw me into new thoughts and a different future.
3. Get a tribe
I knew that I could not do this on my own, and I needed a tribe to support me. People with positivity who are committed to successful lives. I knew that positive people attract positive people, and these people typically want to encourage each other to be their best version. Knowing that we are what we attract, being around people who think this way only lifted my overall perspective on what my life would be like, and I needed that desperately.
4. Mental health checkups
I came to realise that we work on our bodies daily and often forget to prioritise our minds. Good mental health needs attention every day. Too often, we don’t prioritise it until the effects become drastic, ending up on our own virtual cliff ready to give in.
5. Journalling
Another tool in the mindset chest is journalling. Doing this by writing your thoughts daily helps you to learn from your experiences. I look at life very differently now and I stop and enjoy all the good moments. I know that bad times will come again but I know to embrace those times as opportunities to learn and grow. Having a negative mindset you only see doom and gloom you can’t see these times in your life as opportunities to grow. Thinking positively ensures you don’t just survive but thrive.
From my own experience, I admit that I played the victim at times. I can see this now and how it made sense at the time. I finally recognised that I whilst had chosen to feel that way, I could also choose to feel differently. After making the decision to change my mindset I now feel that I’m able to achieve more then I ever thought was possible. Change is possible for anyone but before you can achieve you must believe.
Adam Blum is a motivational speaker, firefighter and author of the new book, Easy Target: Taming the Black Dog (Big Sky Publishing $29.99). He is also the creator and host of podcast True Blue Conversations, sharing the stories of people and events that have shaped Australian history and character. Adam hopes that the stories within Easy Target will help others build their own inner strength and self-worth. Find out more at www.adamblum.com.au
Anyone who may be feeling distressed can contact the following organisations for support –
Australia:
SANE Helpline 1800 18 72 63
Lifeline 131 114
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
New Zealand:
Lifeline 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
Depression Helpline 0800 111 757 or text 4202
Youthline 0800 376 633
