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Some Thoughts on Quitting–During Financial "Meltdowns"

requently clients have a tendency to quit taking actions that create forward motion–when they get scared. One of the biggest fear factors is actual or feared financial meltdowns. It’s easy to buy into the terrifying noise coming from the TV in the corner. You could wake up on a beautiful day, feeling happy and relaxed and listen to news stories of doom and financial collapse–and quickly become paralyzed with fear.

Even when those news stories have no direct impact on you, it’s hard not to imagine, think about, and fear being affected by negative affects on the general economy. Your positive and cheerful mindset is completely overwhelmed by fear of potential financial devastation. One of the worst missteps is the decision to quit–quit taking the necessary steps to further the progress of your life.

If feeling like quitting is your current positioning, here are some ideas to think about.

1.) Being tempted to quit is a normal reaction to overwhelming financial fear. It is simply human to ask ourselves if giving up is the right action. You’ll be better off if you realize that the temptation is a normal human response–and decide not to give in to it. Giving in at this point is a sure prescription to go into a depressive downward spiral. Quitting taking action is not an answer, and certainly is not an effective answer.

2.) Realize that continuing to take action is the absolutely smartest thing you can do. Action is always the best preventative for depression. If you’ve completed a day of effective action, you will not go into depression. Inactivity is a mistake.

3.) Examine the financial conditions and assess whether or not there is anything you can do to change the circumstances. Most of the time, problems in the economy are totally out of our control. This is the greatest cause of our fear–we are at the effect of conditions created by others. You may want to consider that the fact that it is out of your control can be used to release at least some of the fear connected with it. In the same way that your fear about a train wreck will not impact that wreck…at least release yourself as much as possible from the paralyzing fear.

4.) Are there things that you need to do financially? Are there changes you need to make to your accounts and investments? Do you need to learn, research, analyze? Do you need advice? Focus at least some of your actions and energy on doing the financial things you need to do and can do to make a difference in your life.

5.) Be leery of being sucked into any generalized negative energy pattern of those about you. This is a huge challenge. “Buying into” that negativity will incapacitate you and keep you frozen in inactivity. Observe this energy, but choose not to absorb it. Look at this from a detached higher viewpoint. When you think back over your life and realize all the crises you’ve already survived, it will give you some perspective. This too shall pass.

6.) This is a great time to re-evaluate your strategy. Create a block of time to focus on and examine all your strategies and assess whether or not they need to be changed, tweaked or dropped altogether. Don’t get into a downward spiral of hopelessness. Just take a deep, introspective look at your all encompassing action plans. Some actions will be immediately apparently no longer useful. Some new ideas will arise and seem critical. Some tweaks and outright alterations will be obvious. Do this fearlessly. Be willing to let go of outdated or irrelevant strategies–even if you have great attachment to them.

If you find yourself sinking into the morass of financial fear, take the time to explore other possibilities. We don’t have to take ourselves out of the game because of financial fear. Keeping on moving forward, taking action–choosing not to quit–is a decision that ultimately will deliver us the results we want.

Yes, it can be quite challenging to keep in action–and not go into “freeze” mode–when it appears financial ruin threatens. Maintaining control over our reactions and actions is the key.

Suzi Elton is a success coach working with highly creative types to create income that matches their talent. She has coached hundreds of clients to approach their goals strategically through tiny steps to bring about quantum leaps. Get free Life Purpose exercises, at http://mylifepurposecoaching.com

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