Depression & Anxiety don't necessarily have a negative impact on your job...

Mental health issues these days are becoming more and more relevant. There's always something in the news about a celebrity who suffers, and even more extreme...those who have taken their lives because it. However...it doesn't mean it's all doom and gloom.

Before anyone jumps on me at this point by pointing the finger and telling me I don't know what I'm talking about...you're wrong. Oh boy do I know all about it.

I've suffered for a long time. For long periods, I never understood what was wrong. Even when I acknowledged what was wrong with me...I couldn't place what caused me to feel the way I did. After a long time of reflection...I realised it was a number of things (some big...some small).

Firstly, I spent most of my late teens watching my big brother flushing his life down the pan. He was an alcoholic, a drug user, and as a result...he hurt everyone around him. People judge too quickly, but they don't know that this wasn't his fault...none of it was.

You see, my brother was adopted by my parents when I was a nipper. I got a new brother and sister (who were blood related) and my parents knew they'd both had a tough upbringing. We didn't know until they were well in to adulthood just how bad their childhood was. I won't go in to too much detail...but it consisted with years of abuse, surrounded by drug and alcohol fueled parents, prostitution...and neglect.

The memories took there toll...and many years later...he died through a tragic...yet stupid accident. His liver didn't pack in (as we all thought would happen), rather he kicked a glass box in temper and cut his foot. Rather than go to hospital, he went home, got in bed...and bled to death.

Fast forward a couple of years...and my Aunty (who was like a mum) got diagnosed with cancer. It spread fast, her degeneration was quicker...and my life yet again got turned upside down.

(IMPORTANT) I'm not telling you any of this to gain sympathy...I don't need that. I'm telling you this because if you've suffered with mental health...you'll understand how these things can take there toll. If you've never suffered with mental health issues...I hope this helps you understand how people can be broken.

Now I've painted the picture...I'll move on to the point I was trying to make by writing this article..."Depression & Anxiety don't necessarily have a negative impact on your job". I'll explain...

I have bad days...and by that I mean days when the motivation to get out of bed just doesn't exist...but I still do. Days when the easiest of tasks seem like mountains climb...but I still do. Days when i don't want to speak with people and ask how their day is going...but I still do. Days when nothing seems to go your way no matter what you try...but I still keep trying.

See, this is where the anxiety part kicks in and brings a bit of 'ying and yang' to the equation.

Whilst the bad days try to prevent me from doing anything, the anxiety makes me worry about everything, stress that I haven't done something I should have, makes me dial one more contact because I worry I haven't done enough, makes me speak to people with a smile on my face because I worry THEY'LL worry about me. Finally, it keeps me on edge. It's almost like a kick of adrenaline when you feel like giving up.

I suppose the message I'm trying get over is this: No one wants to suffer with depression and anxiety. If I had a choice, I'd kick it in the ar$e and never look it in the eyes again...but that's not going to happen. The most important thing with anyone who suffers, is to find YOUR way of coping. No shrink, friend, family member or loved one has the magic answer...but keep them close. Confide in them, be open with them...and NEVER be ashamed to talk about how you feel.

I've used how I feel to my advantage. When I glance over the screen which shows all the statistics...and need to try and make sure I've made the most appointments, generated the highest level of proposals, had the most deals closed and be the first one in...last one out. This isn't because I'm a sales hungry monster...it's because I have a fear of failing. A niggling churn in my stomach of the anxiety fueled adrenaline boost I need to help me achieve.

Use these negatives in your life to make you stronger. Find a way of turning them in to weapons to your advantage.

FINALLY...#itsoknottobeok. This doesn't make you weak, unless you let it. Just try your best, surround yourself with people who make you a better version of yourself and NEVER listen to those idiots who try to pull you down. Carpe Diem folks...carpe diem.