The devil offered all the tools of his trade, the old fable goes, to anyone who would pay the price.  They were spread out on the table, each one labeled-hatred, malice, envy, despair, sickness-all the weapons that everyone knows so well.  But off on one side, apart from the rest, lay a harmless-looking, wedge-shaped instrument marked “discouragement.”  It was old and worn, but it as priced far above all the rest.

When asked the reson why, the devil explained, “Because I can use this one so much more easily than the others.  No one knows that it belongs to me, so with it I can open doors that are tightly bolted against the others.  Once I get inside, I can use any tool that suits me best.”

A very real problem within all of us that can cause an attitude crash in discouragement.  In fact, I’ve always gone out of my way to stay away from negative people.  I like to surround myself with positive, upbeat people who constantly encourage me.

the word encouragement means “to put courage into.” Conversely, discouragement takes courage out.  How can you reach for the stars, go bravely where no man has gone before, or climb the highest mountain if you lack courage?

Author Glenn Van Ekeren outlines the four pitfalls of discouragementL

1. Discouragement hurts our self-image.

2. Discouragement causes us to see ourselves as less than we reallya re.

3. Discouragement causes us to blame others for our predicament.

4. Discouragement causes us to blur the facts.

If you are looking for tips and advice to help you find a job or get a job check out my book “Use Your Haad To Get Your Foot In The Door“.  If you conscientiously apply all of the principles in my book for six months without getting a job, I will cheerfully refund the purchase price.

About the author Harvey Mackay

Seven-time, New York Times best-selling author of "Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive," with two books among the top 15 inspirational business books of all time, according to the New York Times. He is one of America’s most popular and entertaining business speakers, and currently serves as Chairman at the MackayMitchell Envelope Company, one of the nation’s major envelope manufacturers, producing 25 million envelopes a day.

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}
>