Forrest discovered his passion to help others after he was in a major car accident and found himself trying to rebuild his life. He had to relearn EVERYTHING! He listened to doctor’s tell him they knew what he was going through because they had read about it in a text book but Forrest felt like they really didn’t get it. Forrest worked hard to rehabilitate his body, mind and spirit. His recovery was long and not without challenges.

One day he heard about Jack Canfield’s book “The Success Principles” and he put them to the test. They worked for him. He then decided it was important for him to help others through this process because he did understand what they were going through and might be able to connect with them to help them move forward in their journey.

Forrest is the author of the number one best seller Baseballs Don’t Bounce and 12 Hugs to Happiness. Forrest’s inspirational story of success is featured in the New York Times number one best seller The Success Principles by Jack Canfield, which to date has just sold over 1 million copies.

In this episode, Forrest and I discuss the following:

• Challenges of being raised in an abusive home and the fast journey to independence at an early age
• Building a great life to only have it shattered in the mist of a tragedy
• Challenges of learning everything all over again including how to speak, read, write and walk as an adult
• Difficulties of losing your independence, your sense of self and requiring 24/7 full time personal care
• Recognizing that anxiety is based out of fear and can be created by negative goal setting
• Challenges, effects and behaviours of depression
• Importance of learning to love and accept who you are not who you think you should be
• How comparison is the thief of joy and how social media steals joy by the images and stories we create about the lives of others
• Value of being a dandelion and what it offers to the world
• Relationship between anxiety, depression and suicide rate with the rise of social media usage
• Why we can’t feel joyful for others and how we constantly look at what is missing in our own lives
• Importance of practicing gratitude and knowing what you really want in life
• Importance of thinking about the people you love and the impact that taking your own life would have on them
• Importance of reaching out for help to overcome anxiety and depression
• Value of trading medication or pills for physical exercise
• Importance of goal setting, taking responsibility for your actions and being committed to your own self improvement
• Recognizing key moments that can be a catalyst for change or growth
• Identifying cues that help you recognize “excuse” or “crutch” like behaviours in order to reduce or eliminate them
• Realizing that you have control of your outcomes – Effect + Response = Outcome
• Finding solutions or opportunities that can help you achieve your goals despite any set backs or road blocks
• Lessons learned from publishing a book
• Value of hugs as a basic human need
• Importance of networking, reaching out and sharing your story
• Overcoming embarrassment, asking for help and allowing people to help you
• Value of practicing The Power of Three
• Setting your intention, saying it out loud and achieving it
• How procrastination can block your achievement
• How you deserve to be loved by yourself and by others
• Importance of reducing or eliminating negative self talk
• Value of taking time to make your own dreams come true

I loved this conversation with Forrest and learned so much from it. I hope you do too! Please share Forrest’s message with your friends and family. It just might help them when they need it the most.

If you would like to learn more about Forrest, you can visit the links below.

Website – https://www.forrestwillett.com/
Twitter – @forrestWillett
Facebook – @forrestWillettspeaks

YouTube Video – Better Than I Used To Be