We’ve all gone to that place at one time or another. I’m talking about that doubtful, fearful, negative place where dreams get crushed and we temporarily give up on ourselves.

This is the dark place where we feel unworthy and inadequate.  Unfortunately, it’s also the place where many of us spend way too much time.

Just a tiny shift in thinking can bring us back to our upbeat, optimistic selves, and back in alignment with who we are really meant to be.  Just a small change in thought can bring us back to a healthy state of mind.

Each of us are equipped with a choice.  When we come to that fork in the road, we’re each given a chance to decide whether or NOT to go to that dreadful place.

Unfortunately, many people don’t even realize they have the choice – I’m here to tell you that you always have a choice.  You don’t have to go there!

Here are some small steps you can take so that you maintain a healthy state of mind:

• Lots of people are doing extraordinary things with their lives and there are examples of that in all our media. Limit the time and energy you spend focusing on the accomplishments and successes of others. Learn from those stories what worked and those that didn’t. Use success stories as motivation for yourself and then keep it moving.  Don’t dwell on the success of others, especially those who have no meaningful impact on your life.
• Don’t assume that other people have something big and exciting going on and that you don’t. Not only is this a huge waste of valuable time and energy, it causes you to play small like you don’t matter. Play big – you DO matter. You matter to me.
• Don’t toss your days and your life up in the air with a ‘let’s see what happens’ attitude. Create a plan so at least you have an idea of what’s supposed to happen. Things may not go exactly according to plan but at least you have some vision about what was supposed to happen.
• Keep your mind open and remain curious about what’s possible. Expand your vision of what you can achieve.
• Finally, make the effort to devote just five minutes a day towards creating what you want. This will heighten your focus and do wonderful things for your work ethic.

So don’t go there! You’ll thank yourself later.

The key to accomplishing something big is to do the little things well; day by day and step by step. Maintaining a healthy state of mind doesn’t happen in one day. But by doing the little things well, we grow exponentially.

So what steps could we add to this list that help you keep from “going there”?

“Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success.” ~Dr. Joyce Brothers