Often times the new story to a new life is right in front of you, but for whatever reason we can’t see it, can’t feel it, and certainly can’t imagine making a change. Changing the course of your future always brings new opportunities that in the beginning could never be imagined. A new career, new friends, more money, more love, it is all there for those who want a different story. Of course, this all sounds great, but the reality is we never realize we want or even need a new life story until we have usually hit “rock bottom.”

Most people use the phrase “rock bottom” with addictions or alcoholism, however it just as easily can happen with a financial failure, career or business failure, or even an injury, trauma, divorce, or death. After struggling with anxiety and depression, hitting rock bottom means you have gotten to the point that you are finally sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. Here is a quote from an Italian poet Dante Alighieri: “The path to paradise begins in hell.”

I too had to hit rock bottom to find my true calling and begin my journey to provide financial literacy to all Canadians. It was something I never considered doing but am now so glad I have. It was a path I could never have imagined and only by being in my proverbial “hell” did I see an opportunity for greatness. Too often we tend to revel in our sad and pitiful life stories, getting an emotional charge out of how unfair life is to us, and how great we are for keeping up the struggle – against all odds. We whine and complain to people about being a survivor and love it when we get comforted….. “You poor thing, how do you ever manage?”

Now I am not saying we shouldn’t have our pity-parties. Often times this is exactly what we need – I just don’t want you to keep the party going forever.

Remember, the greatest gift we have is the one we often forget: we have a choice. You can always choose a different direction in life.

What story do you want to focus on? What choices will you make that will change your experiences and bring you closer to the life you want to live?

Negative feelings create negative attitudes, and they attract negative people. But, when you decide to make a change, being positive creates feelings of happiness and this will attract other happy people as well as successful people with opportunities and connections for you, with the probability of advancements to make your own success story. Start creating positive affirmations that you can say out loud to yourself on a daily basis and keep saying them over and over, every day. Write down your goals and read them to yourself daily (honestly, this works!).

Providing yourself with positive self-talk guaranteed will make you richer and more successful. It needs to be a daily habit, like brushing your teeth. If you don’t do this five-minute chore every day, you won’t have any teeth and if you don’t build up your confidence through positive intentions you won’t have a future.

Try it – This is the first step to changing your story.

Good Luck & Best Wishes,

ATML - Christine Ibbotson