Success, Elbow Grease And A Little Luck

Publishing Guidelines: You have permission to publish this
article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long
as the resource box is included with a live link to my site.
A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.
***********************************************************

Title: SUCCESS, ELBOW GREASE AND A LITTLE LUCK
Author: Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW
Email: mailto:editor@overcoming-depression.com
copyright: by Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW
Web Address: http://www.Overcoming-Depression.com
Word Count: 670
Category: Success

SUCCESS, ELBOW GREASE AND A LITTLE LUCK

I like to think that as a professional psychotherapist &
coach, the space in which I work in my office is a smaller
reflection of our much larger culture here in the USA.

Let me explain. Our culture is constantly on the move
towards faster, more convenient ways of doing things. I'm
caught up in this moving current as much as the next person.
For example, when I began writing and putting up websites,
the year was 1998. I had a pentium 120 with 24 megabyte of
ram and a 2400 bps modem. As I write this article I am
using a superfast AMD chip computer with 1 gig of ram and a
blazing fast cable modem connection to the internet. I
love it! The internet connection alone has saved me
hundreds of hours in my online work.

But notice the last word I used in the previous paragraph --
"work." I put in a minimum of 10 hours per week for my
online work alone. My wife edits my articles, so we'll see
how accurate I am when she reads my last statement. She
often says I spend much more time than that. ;-)

I enjoy both the new creations that make life easier, as
well as researching and writing how-to articles to help
people move towards success in their lives.

Last week, during one of my sessions, a client was
complaining that "nothing was working." She asked why
there weren't any guarantees and was extremely frustrated
that her doctor had not found the correct medication for
her illness.

The psychotherapy and medical field is not an exact science.
.. yet. So, I most definitely empathized with how she was
feeling. On the other hand, I asked her how many specific
depression recovery tools she had learned about while she
was in treatment. She couldn't recall exactly, so we
worked together and came up with at least 12 different,
proven skills she'd been taught to fight depression.

Any guesses as to how many of these skills she is using in
her daily life? Sadly enough, ZERO. She tried one
exercise I taught her in our first week together and had
never repeated it. I thanked her for her honesty and
gently explained that I was not attempting to shame her or
beat her up. Instead I talked with her about the vital
difference she could make in her own depression recovery,
if she would simply decide to make a whole-hearted
commmitment to doing everything in her power towards that
end. She re-committed herself. I'm excited to officially
"partner" with her in her recovery from depression.

Unfortunately, one trend I see emerging out of this larger
cultural movement to enhance life is a LACK OF ACTION.
More people today sit back and expect the "quick-fix" or
"magic bullet." And for those that sit and wait there are
at least as many who will prey on them. I receive no less
than 500 emails a week promising me the moon in a pill, or
great riches for no work and so on. You know, you receive
the same ones I do.

Let me tell you a few of the benefits that come when you
decide to roll up your sleeves and dig into ol' fashioned
hard work.

1. Self Mastery and Personal Competence

2. Empowerment or Personal Power

3. Heightened Level of Commitment

4. Deepening Values

5. Quality Use of Time

6. Greater Self-Respect

7. Increased Motivation

8. Personal Integrity or Honor

9. Pride In Personal Responsibility

10. Enhanced Self-Esteem

11. Stronger Sense of Purpose

12. Positive View of the Future

13. Personal Success

14. Personal Recovery from Life's Challenges

Do these qualities sound good to you? Are you willing to
work for them?

It's okay to pick the low-lying fruit and even courageous
to reach out for help when you need it. Stay open to life-
enhancing ways that can make life easier for you. The
question is, while you hope for a depression cure, a better
business opportunity, a lucky scratch-off ticket or an
improved partnership, are you also taking personal action
to achieve that success today?