Oh trust it gets worse and most readers can't stomach the gory details but I met Chris Gardner's Pursuit of Happiness story pound for pound.  I've been there and I know the funk of losing it.  I lost everything except my head and that was the most vital part not to lose.  Some people consult guns and bridges when life throws them such a curve ball but this wasn't just a curve ball.  This was running full speed in one direction winning the race when suddenly life sent a clothes line to clothesline me in the pitch darkness sending my legs parallel with the ground knocking all the wind out of me.  After I hit the proverbial ground, it was a torrential down pour of freezing rain in short sleeves with no coat.  I didn't die and whatever to that proverbial what doesn't kill you makes you stronger stuff.   That day and for nearly two years of suffering, I was the bug.  So how do you recover when these things happen?  

A quick 8 to set-cha straight 

1.       See yourself on the other side - I spent every day imagining myself talking to people who were going up the rough side of the mountain telling them a new day was coming and assuring them I'd been there before.  Put zero focus on the situation you're in. 

2.      Go to the Employment Office - I so didn't want to go to that office.  Ugh, I thought, that's not for me.  Trust me, it's for you and the longer you sit there and wait the longer you could go hungry. 

3.      Forget your credit score - Your credit is shot at this point.  Don't spend time worrying about how you're going to buy anything on credit with horrible scores.  Your credit score can regain enough points within a relatively short period of time to buy whatever it is you need.  800+ scores sound great but they mean the person who has them has tons of loans outstanding that they fortunately are able to pay on time.  You can do a lot with a 660.  850 scores say nothing about net worth which is what you want in the first place.

4.     Make a deal with your creditors - A repossessed vehicle has to be paid.  Once you regain some income, build up a few months' savings then call them.  Usually you can settle for pennies on the dollar of what you owe.  Repeat that times every bill that went to collections.  Take comfort in the temporary peace of not getting calls and letters in the mail and that you have a fresh start. 

5.     Plan for your ultimate dreams - Since you're sitting in unbelievable set back, this is the best time to plan for unbelievable dreams.  You have time and the Internet to get savvy on whatever it is you're chasing.  I was touring multi-million dollar homes and test driving hundred thousand dollar cars flat broke, long before they were a reality.  Sound like you know what you're talking about and people stop questioning you.  Ask a private jet salesman about monthly payments and you're toast. 

6.      Read success stories of others - It was amazing to me to see the number of successful people who lost everything and came back, some of them more than once.  Only a lucky few were born with resources.  Warren Buffet's dad owned an investment firm and was a congressman.  Donald Trump was born with hundreds of millions.  Mark Zuckerburg's dad was a prominent dentist.  Shouts out to billionaires for their successes but not everyone had wealth so early on.

8.      Is there anything you can do that can be sold? - See if there is any skill set you have that can be marketed.  Can you cut hair, decorate, organize, write, speak, etc?  It came to my attention that when I talk/write people listen/read.  I just try to write like I talk and life is easier that way.  You can write, "Ohhh snap for real?" and people understand it better than they do ubiquitous melancholy and insurmountable obstacles.

If you're thinking your fancy degree, great work ethic or capital connections will never allow this to happen to you, dream on.  Just thank your lucky stars life's non- discriminating hand hasn't wacked you upside the head. Hopefully you have a spouse/significant other/family who can help if times get hard. 

So that's it folks. When I fell on hard times I did the following: Realized, I shouldn't have taken any of it personally, looked at the pile of bills and bad circumstance, balled up my fist and with the thumb side hit my chest as hard as I could real quick two times, gave a rebel yell and screamed, "What son? Bring it!"  Then made a plan of attack on success, activated Gorilla Grind mode and when I hopped in that Lamborghini (or whatever it is that turns you on), enjoyed the moment and kept in mind life can send you tough seasons but they don't last forever.

**Catch me in next month's edition of Yachts International magazine.  When I said, "From the mobile home to where moguls roam", surely yall didn't think I was kidding...ultimate come back on three.  1-2-3...let's work!