Why We Often Need a “Rock Bottom” to Break Through (And How to Avoid It)

Have you ever noticed how often people experience a major setback before achieving a significant breakthrough? There’s a reason for this. Often, a significant disappointment removes the fear of failure. When that fear is gone, taking positive action becomes much easier. The logic is simple: after hitting a low point, any action taken is likely to lead to improvement.

However, relying on a major breakdown for a breakthrough is a flawed approach. Why wait for disaster? What prevents us from taking action before reaching rock bottom?

Common Obstacles:

• Accepting Mediocrity: Settling for less than you’re capable of.
• Fear of Judgment: Worrying about others’ opinions.
• Addiction to Negativity: Being trapped in worry, dwelling on the past, or creating drama.
• Overwhelm and Distraction: Allowing these to prevent taking the next right action.
• The “I Don’t Feel Like It” Trap: This is perhaps the biggest obstacle. It’s the feeling that stops us from consistent positive action and prevents us from achieving our goals. This feeling allows our emotions to override our commitments and our ability to act.

The Solution: Act Despite Your Feelings

The key is to act opposite your feelings. True breakthroughs happen when our commitments outweigh our feelings.

Consider the story of hockey legend Mario Lemieux. Despite battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma and chronic back pain throughout his career, he achieved remarkable success. He won multiple MVP awards and scoring titles, and his statistics remain among the best in NHL history. Lemieux undoubtedly faced times when he “didn’t feel like it,” but his commitment to his team, fans, and himself propelled him forward.

Lemieux’s example demonstrates a crucial principle: Breakthroughs begin when we take action despite our feelings.

Ultimately, the question is: who’s in charge—you or your feelings? Choose to take control and win the day!