Sheldon Mills: Stop Comparing Your Bloopers to Others Highlight Reel

Stories of Hope in Hard Times

Sheldon has battled depression, impulsivity and negative thoughts for many years, and in this episode he teaches tips and tactics to overcome these challenges and replace them with positivity.

Episode Discussion Points

• Some of the fun things he has built with his kids
• Mythbusting the perfect person/family
• “Everybody is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”
• Satan is attacking more frequently
• Comparing our blooper reel to everyone else’s highlight reel on social media isn’t accurate or helpful.
• It is okay to talk about and reach out when we need help. There are so many people out there who struggle with the same thing.
• We should be real on Social Media—don’t compare yourself to perfection.
• Dan Sullivan and Ben Hardy’s new book, The Gap and the Gain, has made him realize that he has been unhappy with his progress because he is always measuring where he wants to be instead of considering everything he had already accomplished.
• Quote from a talk he read recently called, Worthiness is Not Flawlessness, “Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf has said: “God does not need people who are flawless. He seeks those who will offer their ‘heart and a willing mind,’ and He will make them ‘perfect in Christ.”
• Then Brad Wilcox continues, “So many have been hurt by broken and strained relationships that it is difficult for them to believe in God’s compassion and long-suffering. They struggle to see God as He is—a loving Father who meets us in our need and knows how to “give good things to them that ask him.” His grace is not just a prize for the worthy. It is the “divine assistance” He gives that helps us become worthy. It is not just a reward for the righteous. It is the “endowment of strength” He gives that helps us become righteous. We are not just walking toward God and Christ. We are walking with Them.”
• Satan wants us to focus on our shortcoming and sins while Christ wants us to focus on HIm and how He can help us.
• The story of how worthless he felt once when struggling with a compulsive behavior and he wondered if he was lacking in faith or if he was too weak for God to help him overcome. And although he didn’t get an immediate answer, God helped him figure out the next step with the feeling of hope.
• How to discern between thoughts coming from God and those coming from a bad spirit—especially when you are reliving the same thought or conversation or worry over and over.
• How Sheldon breaks the negative thought cycle by listening to audiobooks, General Conference talks, and being persistent (because it usually takes a while to break the negative cycle).
• How if Sheldon can control his thoughts, and break the negative cycle, the positive feelings will follow.
• First step is to recognize the negative thought pattern and realize you need to change.
• Second, doing something to stop the negative cycle
• Then feeling better should naturally happen.
• Note: If you struggle with major mental health issues you may need to see a professional for help and medication.
• Then, don’t feel guilty for having negative thoughts—everyone has bad and hard times.
• How changing your perspective and looking at it differently—especially about those we interact with, can change everything. Sometimes we put thoughts and ideas other’s heads.
• To change our perspective we need to get closer to the one being who has the best and clearest perspective—and that is God. He knows the truth.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you are struggling. Sometimes you may need professional help, and other times you may just need to cry on the shoulder of a friend.
• Watch for earthly angels to come in answer to your prayer (and don’t tell them you are “just fine” if God is sending them to help you.)
• In James Allen’s book, As a Man Thinketh, he gives the analogy of our mind being like a garden.
• There are weeds in our garden, maybe rocks, and sometimes we need professional help to get rid of a particular weed.
• You also learn to plant and nurture good seeds.
• Sometimes the crap we go through actually helps us grow a better garden.
• Because Sheldon has struggled with so many challenges throughout his life he finally asked God why he was so weak. The answer didn’t come until recently when he has been able to help and counsel a lot of youth. And he finally realized that because he had struggled with so many things he was a very empathetic listener and was able to help people genuinely. He finally became grateful for all those challenges from his youth.
• “Practicing is part of the process.”
• Focus on where we are headed and God will help us get there.

Action Item: Sheldon’s Special Weapon—A Hope Playlist

• When Sheldon is feeling down, he has a series of different talks, motivational speakers, TED talks, music that he listens to which help him move toward positivity.
• Having a set playlist or resources that is ready to go helps him be able to use it at a moment’s notice.
• Assignment: Begin making your Hope Playlist

Contact Sheldon

• Website: ideagym.info
• Email: [e-mail]

Special Free Offer

If you’d like a FREE Kindle copy of Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan’s new book, The Gap and the Gain, go to Sheldon’s website and sign up for them to send you a free copy at https://www.ideagym.info/

Favorite Bible Verse

• John 8:32, “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free
• Truth is truth and truth resonates.

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Transcription

You can find the transcription of today's episode here: https://www.tamarakanderson.com/podcasts/sheldon-mills-stop-comparing-your-bloopers-to-others-highlight-reel