When You’re in a Dip, Do These 7 Things

Since I coach people, I’m privy to their psychology. Often, my coaching clients come to me in a bad state of mind. They’re in what I call, “a dip.”

Let’s get this straight, the dip is a signal that your state of mind is off. You are out of sync. There is nothing wrong with you. There IS something wrong with the conditions you’ve created. Oh, and something else – I am not a psychiatrist. If your dip lasts longer than a few weeks, probably should get professional help.

But for most of us these few ideas can get us started.

Here are seven ideas I gave to a client who came to me about a month ago. He was a super high achiever, but he wasn’t in the right mental framework, and he felt it.

1. On Outcomes. Stop trying. Stop trying to make friends. Stop trying to get deals. Stop trying to get the outcomes that you believe you deserve. We call this “detachment.” The more emphasis you put on your outcomes, the less likely you are to run the process well. Let outcomes come to you. Go out and be interested in others. Be a good listener. Be curious (which I know you are), but let it happen if it’s supposed to happen.

2. Get Physical. Physicality is of utmost importance. You’re simply in a spiral that can be remedied by getting physical. Go walk. Go work out. Do push-ups until you’re beat. Do sit ups until you can’t do anymore. Something happened to me two years ago that had an emotional impact on me. The only way I knew how to get out of that mental state was lifting. Sweat. Work. Make it a part of your daily ritual. Take care of your physical self and your mental self will follow.

3. Have a Daily Ritual. Get up and make your list of your to-dos. Make a list of the people you are grateful for. Pray. Meditate. Envision the way you’d like things to be there. And then go about your business…not ‘trying’ to make those things come true. Just envision strongly and allow the Universe to put those things in front of you. Have goals. Have a goal of meeting one new person a day for the next week. Be giving. The first hour of the day will set the stage for the other 23 hours. So make it special.

4. One Day at a Time. Don’t, for one second, think about the long term future. One day at a time. That’s how life is lived. Don’t get too far ahead of yourself. One day, today. That’s all we have. When you start playing out the current state and begin fretting about ‘what if it doesn’t change?’ you are too far out. Bring yourself right back to the present.

5. Learn. Study the heck out of things. Learn your craft better than you ever thought possible. Shift your intentions from “What’s not going right?” to “How can I study something and learn how it can fit into my world? ” If you’ve been in business over 10 years, you’re coming upon that stale point. That place where you’ve done this same thing for so long it isn’t as interesting as it once was.

6. Get Clearer on Your Vision. Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his recent interview with Tim Ferriss (one you should listen to), says that what kept him going in his humble beginnings in Austria was his clear vision of being Mr. Universe. He says his confidence came from his clarity. Are you clear about your vision? Your life? Can you see it in a mental picture?

7. Pray. Ask God how you should handle this circumstance. Hit your knees each morning and ask Him for help. Don’t do it just one day. Do it every day and every night.