If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll recall the basic plot. The main character, George Bailey, feels like a failure because he’s spent his life working at his father’s Building & Loan, and never getting to achieve his dreams of traveling the world and being involved in what he perceives as a more successful career.

One day, it all comes crashing down when his Uncle Henry misplaces $8,000, which sends the business’s finances into a downward spiral. The only way George sees out of the mess is to take his own life by jumping into the river. Clarence the Angel saves George and gives him the priceless gift of seeing what the world would be like without him. As a result, George comes to realize what a difference he’s truly made in countless people’s lives.

The final scene shows the townspeople coming to George’s rescue, donating more than enough to make up the $8,000 loss. On the pile of money, George finds a copy of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, miraculously placed there by Clarence. The inscription reads, “Dear George, Remember no man is a failure who has friends.”

What a powerful reminder during this season when so many people struggle with depression and sadness. Although Christmas is a time of joy and giving, the honest truth is that many people listening to this episode are struggling just to make it through this season.

Maybe this year, your expectations have been dashed or you’ve experienced failure of some kind. Maybe you’re struggling to get out of bed each morning, wondering why you should continue putting in the effort. Maybe you, like George Bailey, mistakenly think the world would be a better place without you.

I’m here to tell you that you can’t begin to imagine all the good you’ve done in the world.

Book sales, business, client contracts, social media metrics, podcast downloads, and income can all go up and down. But if you have friends, you’re indeed a rich man or woman. Don’t ever believe for one second that you’re a failure. We need your gifts, your talent, and your writing in the world.

So, if you’re going through a hard time, keep your chin up. Keep pressing on. Even on your worst day, remember that your friend Kent Sanders is here on the Daily Writer Podcast, cheering for your success and rooting you on!

Question: If you had the same chance George Bailey did, to see what the world would be like without you, would you take it?

The post No One is a Failure Who Has Friends appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

On this episode, we dive into a topic that may seem disconnected from writing. However, depression and other mental health issues affect writers just like they do everyone else.

In fact, writers and other creative types may be more at risk than the average person. Why? Because we already have lots of internal battles going on, and we tend to stay isolated.

I don’t have all the answers, but I do have a story. So on this episode, I share my decades-long journey through depression and how I learned to deal with it (most of the time).

Specifically, I share 5 lies I believed about depression and why each one is false:

Lie #1: I can manage my depression on my own.

Lie #2: Self-medicating my pain is an effective coping strategy.

Lie #3: I have no control over the forces that make my depression worse.

Lie #4: I don’t need professional help.

Lie #5: My struggle with depression means that I am deficient in some way.

Over the last few years I have learned to manage my depression pretty effectively. I still have occasional days when it gets the best of me, but it doesn’t have nearly the grip on my life it once did.

Life is hard enough as it is. When you add battling depression into the mix, it gets infinitely tougher. If you believe one or more of these five lies, it will pull you down even further. If you’re struggling with depression, I strongly encourage you to seek professional help. Make the choice today to get healthier not only for yourself, but for those you love.

If you are thinking of harming yourself, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.

Thanks for Listening!

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The post An Honest Conversation About Depression & Mental Health appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.