So, we came across this video that Ex-radio DJ and businessman Daniel Ong recently shared on Facebook, and came back feeling super inspired and motivated.
In the video, Daniel opens up about a really difficult period in his life, about how he lost hope, and found himself going down a spiral of negativity, after his divorce from his wife, former Miss Singapore Universe and actress, Jaime Teo. That’s when he discovered the golden 5-minute rule.
Do read about it, we promise it will change your outlook towards life!
Daniel Ong’s 5-minute rule
Daniel reveals in the video, “Sometime back, I had some failed business ventures, my wife left me, I had to divide up assets, sell everything, I was involved in multiple car accidents, I wasn’t sleeping well, my health was poor, I drank so much, I was overweight. There was one time I drank so much I almost died!”
“I was drinking a bottle of whisky almost every single day. One day I chugged a whole bottle of whisky at 7 pm, and I woke up the next day at 8 pm, 25 hours later, in a pool of vomit and a bruise across the whole side of my face. I saw myself in a bathroom mirror and I remember, that was the moment I decided I cannot allow myself to be part of the downward spiral of pain and negativity.”
“My negativity was affecting everything in my life. I had to snap out of it, for myself, for Renee, for family and friends. From then on, I actually live by this 5-minute rule.”
So what exactly is this 5-minute rule that helped Daniel get a grip back on his life? Here goes…
“Whenever something bad happens, give yourself 5 minutes to dwell on your misery and feel sorry for yourself, but when that 5 minutes is up, tell yourself, “Enough!” That is the cut off point, pick yourself up and start reflecting. Just think. Meditate on it.”
“What can you do to improve the situation? If there is none, then just accept it and move on. If you find it really hard to get out of that emo(-tional) stage just use a tool. Look at motivational quotes on Instagram, look at motivational videos, listen to an uplifting song, or even call an encouraging friend.”
“Recognise that you have the power over yourself. Positivity attracts positivity. Your thoughts become your reality…When you think negatively, you shut off the world and limit the options you see. When you are thinking positively, it broadens your sense of possibility…you go on to build more skill and increase the value in ur life.”
“So how do you think more positively? You just have to be more conscious of your thoughts and your feelings.”
“I’ve met tons of successful people and plenty of unsuccessful people. I have come to realise there’s only one difference between them, their positive mindset. If you keep telling yourself, theres no way i can do it, my situation doesn’t allow that to happen, guess what will happen?
“No one finishes well by accident. Success is within ur grasp…all you have to do is be willing and take the right steps.”
Wasn’t that some great and inspiring advice? Perhaps, it is this positive thinking that helped Daniel Ong overcome the hurdles in his path. He writes on Instagram, “Not only did I heal, I reflected, spent time thinking and learning about myself and my inner demons. What emerged was a stronger and better version of myself.”
Well, we are glad that Daniel finally cleared up the mess in his head, and found his own happy space.
PHOTO: INSTAGRAM / DANIEL ONG
And as he finds joy in being doting daddy to daughter Renee, Daniel also seems to have re-discovered love! He recently revealed on Instagram, “Today is a special day. It’s a day I tell the world, if you always believe, you never give up and you try your best everyday… love will find you.”
Thank you, Daniel Ong, for sharing your experience, and for showing us that if we focus on the bright side of life and expect positive results, we can overcome any obstacle and difficulty.
Meanwhile, here are some tips from us to achieve a positive mindset:
- Start your day on a positive note.
- Surround yourself with positive people.
- Stop wallowing in self pity. Change the tone of your thoughts from negative to positive.
- Focus on, and be grateful for the good things in your life, however small.
- Meditate, and be mindful.
- Laugh a lot. Remind yourself that this too shall pass.
- Turn your failures into lessons.
- Stop worrying about the future. Focus on the present instead.
Also READ: This letter by Wong Li-Lin to her son is an eye-opener!