Top Ten Steps For Freeing Ourselves From The Downward Spirals Of Life

By

W. Bradford Swift

Some people call them vicious circles or cycles. I prefer to think of them

as downward spirals of life. Those periods that we can all become trapped in

like the whirlpool of water as it drains from the tub. If we’re not careful

and mindful these downward spirals can suck the life right out of us. Here

are a few simple and effective steps you can use to free yourself of such

life sucking periods.

1. NOTICE THE SPIRAL YOU’RE IN. As is so often true, awareness is the first

step to intervention. Much of the power of a downward spiral comes from our

continuing to be unaware of the direction of our life. Like a whirlpool, a

downward spiral’s power picks up strength and speed the longer we’re in it;

so it follows that the sooner we become aware we are trapped in a downward

spiral, the easier it will be to change the direction of our life. It’s often

helpful to remember a downward spiral reversed becomes a spiral of fulfillment.

2. ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE FULLY PRESENT TO YOUR LIFE. When you

first notice you’re in a downward spiral, the tendency is to quickly react in an

effort to free yourself. This initial reaction is often based in fear and may only

exacerbate the spiral. Instead, take time to notice what is happening from a

detached position. Witness your life by stepping outside of it for awhile.

One simple way to do this is to imagine you are in a movie theater reviewing

the "Story of My Life" movie. Watch and Observe.

3. CONSCIOUSLY RELEASE THE THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS.  As you

begin to "Dismantle" the downward spiral, be sure you release and let go of the

disempowering thoughts and emotions. You might envision a large bottomless

trash can in front of you into which you toss each thought and each emotion

attached to the thought or you can write it all down then burn the paper, thus

releasing their hold on you.

4. RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO INDULGE. Don’t get sucked into the drama

of the movie. There’s no point to watching the movie over and over. This will only

suck you further down the spiral. Observe and Move On.

5. COMMIT TO CHANGING DIRECTIONS. Make a conscious choice to change

the direction of your spiral. You may write down your choice as a declaration or

share it with a friend, loved one or your coach. Draw a line in the sand.

6. KNOW THE MAKE UP OF A DOWNWARD SPIRAL. Knowing the basic

elements that are the composition of a downward spiral will make it easier to

change its directions. Downward spirals are composed of "molecules of

meaning" which can be further broken down to fear, and lack based thoughts and

emotions.

This includes such things as doubt, worry, "shoulding" on yourself, jealousy,

anger, fear, frustration, etc. All of these come together to effect who you

think you are (i.e., loser, failure, unlovable, etc.) which then determines the

actions you take and what you say out loud to yourself. All of which then

determines what you have, as in the results with which you measure your

life.

7. USE THE LAW OF ATTRACTION TO CHANGE THE SPIRAL’S DIRECTION.

The Law of Attraction states that "like attracts like." So just like fear and lack

based thoughts will attract more similar thoughts, the same is true of love and

abundance based thoughts. By changing your thoughts and your emotions you

change the direction of the downward spiral.

8. PRACTICE PATIENCE AND PERSISTENCE. Remember you didn’t get into

the downward spiral overnight, so don’t expect reversing direction to take place

in an instance. Just as it takes time to stop a car and put it into reverse,

it will take time before you’ll see the evidence that your downward spiral

has become a spiral of fulfillment. In the mean time continue to affirm and

trust that it is so.

9. BEGIN TO GATHER EVIDENCE FOR THE TURNAROUND. As you continue

the turnaround process begin to look for physical evidence that the process is

working. Start with the mindset that the evidence is there already and your

job is to find it like a detector, rather than wondering whether there is any or not.

10. DEBRIEF, DECLARE THE ACCOMPLISHMENT, AND CELEBRATE. At

some point you will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the turnaround is

complete. Before moving on take a few minutes to acknowledge what you’ve

learned from the experience, declare to yourself the accomplishment and

celebrate it. You’ve made major progress along your purposeful path. "Celebrate,

Celebrate. Dance to the Music."