5 Tips For Not Losing Your Mind In These Difficult Times

I don't need to remind you how difficult things are right now. If you're not losing sleep over the economic cataclysm it's probably because you've watched the History Channel's series on Armageddon one too many times and figure it doesn't matter anyway.

But if you're trying to keep it together, you can learn how to stay sane in insane times. The ability to focus is directly related to two factors you have control over -- interest level and stress. If you can find a way to increase your interest in what you need to do and decrease your stress, you can regain your focus.

Here are 5 tips to increase your interest and decrease your stress to help you stay focused:

1. You can reduce stress by taking 100% responsibility for your situation. As soon as you make a commitment to stop blaming others, -- bankers, politicians, etc. -- you free up enormous mental space that was preoccupied with figuring out who is to blame and ruminating about how upset you are. The freed up mental space can now be deployed toward taking care of the tasks that you might have been dreading.

2. You can also decrease stress by remembering the joyful. A quick way to do this is think of one of the most positive memories you can recall. Challenge yourself to immerse fully in this memory for even one minute. The mood boost may be just what it takes to overcome that feeling that it's no use anyway and spur you to take needed action. This will help show yourself that you can put your attention where you want to while gaining the benefits of positive emotions generated by the memory.

3. You can increase your interest in onerous tasks by finding a way to make them more fun. If For example, you have to call credit card companies, you can find a way to do it while doing something else that is interesting. Perhaps you can go to a park and make the calls while you are walking or looking at a natural setting.

4. Another way to make these tasks more interesting is to redefine them. Instead of dreading what lies ahead of you, you can pretend it is some form of an extreme sport that tests your will, grit and determination. Think of your stressors as like an economic Ninja Warrior Competition. Challenge yourself to make five calls in one hour while applauding your brute strength.

5. Reward yourself when you complete the tasks. For example, you could treat yourself to 20 minutes of Internet surfing for every five calls you make.

You may feel you are being defined by your struggles, whatever they are. But the reality is - you are defined by your response to your struggles. Will you be the Ninja Warrior who reveals her force, grace and flexibility as you navigate your hard times? Or will you be the person who spends her time complaining that life should be easier? You may not be able to stop the war in the Middle East, but you have total control over this choice.