3 tips for a mental “spring forward”

To say it’s been a tough two years is an understatement. Pandemic, racial reckoning, war in Europe…it’s easy to see how so many of us feel stressed and overwhelmed. We need a little help to find hope about the path forward.

I get it.

But I also know firsthand that pain opens the path to purpose. As a coach, motivational speaker, and author, I’ve made it my life’s work. I share the story of my life and struggles: losing my parents to AIDS before I was 16 and making terrible choices to cope with my sorrow.

I learned how difficulty is difficult but can also provide the stepping stones to unlock a life of purpose and peace.

And now that we’re entering spring, the season of renewal, it’s a great time to “spring forward” to find hope and change up your mindset. Here are three tips you and your community can use today.

#1. Turn down the volume on negative chatter. Negative thoughts serve no one. But they’re constantly filling our brains, spilling out into our relationships, and hijacking our mindsets. You can take control though. Hear that negative chatter, but instead of acting on it or passing it on, take a deep breath and change the channel. You’re in charge.

#2. Spring clean your schedule. It’s simple: too much to do + too little time = recipe for stress. Are you putting time to recharge into your day and week? If not, it’s about time. What can you say no to or delegate so you have time to work out, sleep more, or take a break?

#3. Embrace adversity as the path to purpose. Life is full of ups and downs, and many of them are painful. But learning to embrace them can help you build resilience to cope better and to open the door to a purposeful life.

In purpose, passion & peace,

Yannik