I was in a funk the other day.

It happens to most of us, I think.

Most of the time you just need to re-frame the situation.

When I get into a funk, I push myself to learn.

I’m a big fan of the Tim Ferris podcast, and even more of a fan when I found out that Tim is a 6 on the enneagram like me.

It basically means that people like us have tendencies to be up and down.

Anyway, he was interviewing Greg Mckeweon and I heard a quote that stopped me dead in my tracks.

Here it is…

“If you focus on what you have, you’ll gain what you lack…If you focus on what you lack you lose what you have.”

So, here’s how I pulled myself out…

I wrote in my journal, cursive of course thanks to my great friend Kyle Newell, all the things I have…

I wrote big things like 3 great kids, an awesome wife, and a successful business.

I wrote about relationships I have that I sometimes take for granted, such as life- long friendship, complete autonomy over my time, and front porch to read all the books I want.

I even wrote about very small things that I have like lots of flannel shirts, a cool fire pit, and a 2012 truck that I never want to get rid of.

I filled an entire page with all that I have.

It’s not about the material stuff you have, but what that stuff represents.

For instance, my fire pit represents several things…

• Time with friends
• Thinking about new ideas over a bourbon
• Alone time with Vanessa
• Roasting marshmallows with the kids
• Joking with Joe Hashey about how small my fire pit is compared to his NY State Barn Burner
• Listening to my kids play in the neighborhood

The firepit is of no value to me if the above does not occur, it’s just a piece of metal.

But it made my list because of the things that happen around it.

I’ve come to realize that life is really about love, connection with others, your impact on others, and how much you grow…No one will remember how successful your business was.

When I get into my funks…I tend to forget this.

But the one thing I wrote when I listed out all the stuff I have…was that I have the knowledge of what matters most…

…And when I get into my funks I can just revisit this and it usually pulls me right out.

As I’ve said many times, the #1 chokehold on business is the psychology of the owner.

The best business building advice I can give you is to have a grip on it…but also the tools to get it on track when you feel like the world is caving in on you.

This is the simplest tool I can give you.

Vince Gabriele

P.S.  Since I’m an expert at pulling myself out of a funk…I’ve done it for many gym owners too, click here if you need some help.