#139: Drifting Through Life Versus Deciding to Win

FROM THIS SHOW:

Are you overwhelmed at the thought of setting out to achieve a big goal? Are you jaded that you’ve been forced to live the let-downs that come with having done so before?

If you have a diagnosis of a bipolar disorder, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ve had enormous dreams burst like a bubble of shame in your face.

So how do dust yourself off and try another way?

On today’s episode of The Bipolar Now Podcast, Mike shares from a topic that has significant hurdles to your overall happiness, but lets you in on a little secret.

It’s not the goal or even the process of going for it that matters.

It’s the joy you find in bettering your well being, moment by moment, one planned day at a time.

You don’t want to miss it!

YOUR FREE BONUS GUIDE

Be sure to grab today’s companion guide for this episode! Get it here.

Listen to the podcast:

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TAKEAWAYS

• Because the nature of bipolar disorder is to confuse and discourage, it’s very natural to live in the past, with all its hurts and regrets. So deciding to set a health goal is a decision to be “living forward” from now on—it is a serious choice to make.

• There are many counter-productive ideas floating around about what success and happiness are about, and that setting difficult goals is critical for self-growth. However, you will set yourself up for disappointment after disappointment if you make the pursuit of a goal the point of your life. It’s about noticing how the time feels when focused in balance with your needs for rest and turning life “off”.

• A goal does not result in an outcome unless it is Designed to do so. That makes it very important how you manage your mind when deciding on a goal and creating the path you will take to get there. When you have an active bipolar disorder, this requires extra care and help, so don’t go at this process alone—invite and involve your Team!

Lifer Discussion Guide

Use the questions in today’s Lifer Guide to assist you over any hurdles you may have to clear as you address your mental health. These are special conversations!

“Lifers” are people who have unwavering faithfulness. This assures you that they’ll stick by you through all the highs and lows that are normal for a life with mental health challenges. If you haven’t nominated a lifelong family member or friend as part of your non-medical support team, what are you waiting for? :-)

The Questions:

1) Did you dream more for your life when you were younger, or have you dreamt more about what you’d become more recently? / Why do you think that is?

2) How many of your life’s goals do you keep privately reserved? / Have you been “burned” by sharing a goal with a specific person or group of friends?

3) Do you find that the people you keep close to you believe in your dreams and want to see you pursuing them? Or do you think they don’t see the importance of this?

4) Do you have a dream that you’ve downplayed or kept a secret that you’d like to let me know about?

Join the Tribe!

Once you’ve had a chance to talk or journal about these things you might have a question from this episode. If so, make sure you head on over to The Bipolar Now Podcast Network on Facebook! There’s quite a few people over there who are also taking a new step in their mental health. And we’d love for you to share your story with us when you’re ready. So don’t miss out!