From Sleeping on a Couch in Queens to Living on Park Avenue

Rock Bottom

A few years ago, I hit rock bottom.

Today, I’m pleased to say that I’ve turned my life around completely. I’m going to tell you how.

My story begins in Queens. I was laid off after company budget cuts. Things had been difficult enough for a time—I’d been demoted just six months before—but being fired made things unimaginably harder. Thankfully, I had a friend to fall back on, and I’ll be forever indebted to him, though it was admittedly embarrassing to live on his couch, because I felt like a freeloader. No one knows what it’s like to be in such a position until they’re in it themselves.

Anybody in a similar predicament has their own depressing story and usually wants to share it with others, but I wanted no sympathy. What mattered most was to force myself into a better situation; I knew, deep down, that there were so many opportunities within reach, and never stopped believing in my own ability.

A Great Business Opportunity Changed My Life

After a few months of unemployment, I was offered a wonderful opportunity through another friend of mine. He wanted me to be a manager at his company.

I knew how much promise the job had when that first paycheck came in. I immediately set a goal for myself: to buy an apartment on Park Avenue.

Not long after, I moved out of my friend’s place and into the home of my dreams. Words can’t describe my senses of wonder, gratitude, and accomplishment.

So how exactly did I get the pep I needed to better myself, and to welcome the opportunities that came?

Schedule Blocking

First and foremost, I began to use block scheduling, because I realized that some tasks require more attention than others.

Here’s how it works: in your planner, cut each day into segments, and dedicate certain periods to specific tasks and activities. For example, when I get home from work, I spend an hour showering, relaxing, and cooking dinner; I then spend another half-hour eating, and two hours after that either painting or watching TV. To some, this would sound boring, but early on, this scheduling prevented me from slacking off, and helped me find time that I didn’t think I had.

Meditation Keeps Me Calm

Thanks to the schedule blocking, I was able to incorporate meditation into my routine; as corny as it may sound, meditation truly helps! I like to play relaxing, traditional Chinese music when I meditate; it helps set the atmosphere.

Imagine your mind as a sword and meditation as a whetstone: if you want to be productive, you have to keep your edges sharp. Sitting down and breathing for twenty minutes a day helps you do just that, not to mention equalizes your mood.

Taking Better Care of My Appearance

Once the paychecks started rolling in, I knew that I needed to look as professional as I felt. I got a nice haircut, purchased an array of facial creams, and sought out new clothes and accessories (a beautiful new suit, loafers, and a high-end watch).

I also had the opportunity to look and feel younger with a facelift. Before my consultation, I thought that it was impossible to look younger, but I was wrong, and now, I look not only more refreshed, but more attractive. This has helped in my personal life—I’ve found the love of my life—and my business life. It does wonders to look good in front of prospective clients!

Saving and Investing

I’ve always had difficulty saving money; for years, it was as though I’d never heard of a bank. I also didn’t know that I could have been investing with the money I wasted.

Many people don’t know how investing works and think that they need to have tons of money to begin, but that is simply untrue. There are a host of companies that make investing a breeze; all you need is a few dollars.

Some apps, like Robinhood, even start you off with a free stock, so you can get started right away!

When the money starts flowing in, you might be tempted to spend without discretion—I certainly did. But with a friend’s guidance, I realized how easy it was to turn $5 into $100; all it took was a bit of luck, some patience, and a whole lot of perseverance.

Kenneth

Kenneth is a proud native of sydney, born and raised there. However, he pursued his education abroad and studied in Australia. Kenneth has worked as a journalist for almost a decade, making valuable contributions to prominent publications such as Yahoo News and The Verge. Currently, he serves as a journalist for The Hear Up, where he focuses on covering climate and science news. You can reach Kenneth at [email protected].