Stop Saying If Only and Start Living Now: Lessons from an NFL Pro
If only I had more money… If only I had chosen that job instead of this job … If only I hadn’t done that or said that. Each one of us has spent time in the land of if only. I lived there for years after my NFL career came to a halt long before I wanted it to. I told myself that if only I had made different decisions, and if only I hadn’t made certain mistakes, I would still be playing. I beat myself up for all those if only’s constantly.
I was so stuck in the world of what could have been that I locked myself out of the world of what is. But in time I realized that by choosing to dwell on all the if only’s, I couldn’t enjoy the present moment. And the present moment is where the miracles are, and the joys.
The more I could stay in the present, the better I felt, I realized. So I began to practice letting go of all those if only’s — and that’s when my whole world changed for the better.
Here are 4 proven ways to help you let go of your if only’s:
1. Let the past go and forgive yourself.
It’s easy to look back and say I shouldn’t have done that, or, I should have done this instead, or, how did I not know any better? My football career ended prematurely due to injuries caused by overtraining, which I blamed myself for. I was so hard on myself for training too much. But there is a Zen proverb: “Let go or be dragged.” For too long, I allowed myself to be dragged by my mind.
Regret is a waste of tim...
Source: PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Sean Conley Tags: featured motivation self-improvement courage inspiration Source Type: blogs
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