General
How Can We Escape the Trap of Despair?
There are times in life when you feel overwhelmed by despair. But I don’t think there’s any reason to feel hopeless. I have a method: whenever something happens, I always ask myself, “What’s the worst-case scenario here? What’s the absolute worst that could happen?”
Let’s say you’re in business and you’re in a tough spot. What’s the worst-case scenario? I’m a guy who’s gone under many times. I’ve faced this problem countless times, but here I am. If going under were the end of the world, I wouldn’t be here.
I know I’ve made a lot of mistakes and gone through some tough times, but giving in to despair isn’t the answer. Sometimes people say, “I’m going to kill myself; I’m hopeless—what should I do?” Maybe in a few months, there will be a new life, a new challenge. At worst, this isn’t the end of the world.
A Wise Person Takes Precautions
Health issues can also be challenging. But I think 90 percent of illnesses are created by the mind. Physical problems are few and far between; most are conditions created by our minds. If we think positively and eat healthily, we won’t reach that point of despair.
A smart person solves problems, but a wiser person takes precautions before problems arise. When a problem arises, you solve it, but the key is to take precautions before it arises.
To avoid reaching a point of despair, you need to work hard and learn from your experiences. For example, you should prepare for a job interview well in advance, research the company, and stay positive. Because despair often stems from last-minute unpreparedness.
Budget management is also important. If you spend more than you earn, take on debt, and rely on credit cards, the problem will snowball, and you’ll end up facing foreclosure. Is there a solution? Yes. But first, you need to draw up a sensible plan and manage your expectations wisely.
Despair is a state of panic. People imagine the worst-case scenario and become afraid. But writing a mantra, cultivating mindfulness, and calming our thoughts at least allow us to assess the situation.
In my opinion, the smartest thing to do is to take precautions before you start feeling hopeless. But even if you do feel that way, you need to stay calm, think rationally, and look for ways to get yourself out of that situation. Because what’s happening isn’t the end of the world.
The Way Out
What’s the worst-case scenario? Death. But apart from death, nothing lasts forever. You might have a lot of debt, you might end up in jail, you might make mistakes—but you’ll learn your lesson and move on with your life.
Sometimes a breakup or a loss brings despair. But that breakup can open the door to better opportunities for you. The day will surely come when you’ll say, “I’m glad we went our separate ways.”
The important thing is to avoid getting into a difficult situation, to take precautions, and to use common sense and reason. Sometimes, without even realizing it, we make unnecessary expenditures and go into debt. Yet, we need to be cautious from the very beginning.
When you feel hopeless, write down a mantra, stay focused, and you’ll see the results within 2–3 weeks. If you work with discipline and the right methods, there’s always a way out.
Remember, despair is temporary, and you are strong! Believe in yourself and keep moving forward.