How do you stay motivated when faced with overwhelming loss? Whether it is a death, personal failure, business failure or other; motivation can seem unattainable – especially when all you want to do is curl up in the fetal position and cry.
This past year, I lost two of my dogs and the pain felt insurmountable. There was an emptiness, crushing sadness…but I own a business and giving into the hurt wasn’t an option. I picked myself up and reminded myself of the following:
- You have a purpose. Every day your employees, clients and vendors depend on you. Your business and role serve a very important purpose, remind yourself of this every day when you wake up. Take a deep breath and remember why you started your business.
- Be open about the loss. When I lost Murphy, I wrote a blog about it and shared the pain with those close to me. Interestingly enough when I lost Apollo, I kept it to myself and preferred to suffer alone and I’m still dealing with the repercussions of that approach.
- Be thankful for what you have. Reflect on the positive – your family, friends, business and for me, my other furkids. As human beings it is our natural reaction to give into the negative and get stuck there – remind yourself each day of the good things.
- Plan a trip. Pack everyone up and go someplace. A change of environment will do wonders for you.
- Be inspired by others. Pick up a book on some badass individual and gain perspective. I started reading What Happened by Hillary Clinton – talk about someone who had to overcome obstacle after obstacle.
There is no magic formula for overcoming loss and finding motivation in spite of it. Acknowledging it, allowing others to help and remembering the positive was key for me.
What are your thoughts?
Comments (3)
Greg Chandler
Kim, whether it’s the loss of a fellow human or one of our animal friends, the pain is real. I’m dealing with the loss of my daughter right now. I struggle to get out of bed some mornings but realize I have responsibilities – to the people I work for, to those I care about. The world doesn’t stop. My faith and the support I have from family and friends has kept me going. It doesn’t lessen the hurt but it makes it bearable. I’m reading the book “Playing Hurt,” written by the late ESPN sportscaster John Saunders, on his struggles with depression and dealing with an abusive past. I’m amazed by what he overcame to make it in TV sports. So appreciate your honesty and openness.
Kim
This is so true. I have been keeping you in my prayers, loss is such a horrific thing but I do believe our faith and support network makes a world of difference.
Greg Chandler
Thank you, Kim. 🙂