I don’t have to tell you there will be good times and bad times – throughout our individual careers, specific industry and larger economy. There will always be times of high stress. Rising interest rates, low inventory and shrinking margins are occupational hazards of the mortgage industry.

Here’s another thing we know, though: owning a home is an integral part of a well-diversified investment portfolio for millions of Americans. All investments have their highs and lows, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, retirement accounts, cryptocurrency and, of course, real estate.

Here’s the thing. TOUGH TIMES DON’T LAST…BUT TOUGH PEOPLE DO. That’s why it’s more important than ever to maintain a positive attitude and self-discipline. But let’s face it, keeping a smile on our faces during challenging times can be, well, challenging. This is where that self-discipline comes in, as Bob Urichuck, who dubs himself a “catalyst for constant improvement and a cultivator of human potential,” can tell you.

Urichuck argues that a positive attitude, self-discipline and realistic goals all stem from one thing: belief in one’s self.

Maintaining a positive attitude requires you to first believe in you, the most important person in the world. If you believe in you, you will also believe you are here for a reason and that there will be incidents of all sorts in your life. You also know that these incidents, many of which are not under your control, happen for a reason. That reason could be as simple as building character, or getting you back on track to where you belong.

Maintaining a positive attitude in difficult times, whether it be the loss of a loved one, a friend, relative, money or a job is crucial for survival and the realization of your dreams and goals.

If sales are down, morale tends to be down, Urichuck notes, essentially saying that you are what you believe and your fate is what you manifest. So manifest a destiny you’d be happy to call your own. No, the external factors that add strife to your life won’t magically disappear. They never do. But when your internal dialogue is positive, your heart, mind and soul are at peace and able to handle whatever comes your way!