This is a very common scenario: Things start going bad in an individual’s life and one of the first things that comes to their mind is that “things have to change.” Most times what these people are really saying is, “other things need to change.” When people find their lives in a rut, they feel they need to shake things up and bring excitement back into their lives. This is just what they feel they need to do to get their life back on track. Unfortunately many people aren’t shaking up what needs to be shaken up and that is themselves.
It’s Always Someone Else’s Fault
When life is not going as you have planned and you are living a life of boredom and frustration it is easy to point fingers at other people, places or things…isn’t it. You might feel a change in spouse, career or home is just what you need so you drop your boring life and everything that was attached to it and venture off for your new life with excitement and enthusiasm! Things are going to be so much different this time, so much better.
So there you are loving your new life in your new home, your new career and your new spouse! Life is great! Fast forward a year, maybe two and now you find yourself in the same rut as before. You’re not happy, you’re frustrated and depressed – life is just as it was before. What happened? Read the rest of this entry »
Here we go, another article on goal setting. You may have heard some of these tips before:
Be very clear on your goals.
Write them down.
Break those goals into smaller goals or action steps.
Take immediate action.
Now this is just a basic outline on setting and achieving goals which can definitely be broken down into greater detail. Many people know what needs to be done to successfully accomplish their goals and yet many people fall short on their goals.
Why?
They aren’t doing the basics.
Many people know what they should do and either aren’t doing it consistently or not at all.
This morning as I am getting myself ready to head out for my doctor’s appointment, a thought entered my mind about my past. I have been challenged with spinal issues for about two years now. About 18 months ago I had surgery on my neck and today I will find out whether my doctor will be recommending surgery for my back. I have been through about six months of physical therapy and I have also had a couple of epidural injections and the symptoms keep returning. So today my spine specialist will tell me whether he feels we have done all we could conservatively and now it is time for surgery.
There was a point in my life not too long ago when I would have been pacing the floor before an appointment such as this one. Read the rest of this entry »
There I was, in my favorite recliner, a beer in one hand, the remote in the other and I was watching a NASCAR race for over 4 hours! It was beautiful outside, the sun was shinning, the temperature was a perfect 85 degrees F. and there I was with my feet up in the air, in a dimly lit rec. room, watching cars go around in circles for 4 hours. The next week I was doing the same thing all over again. Who said practice doesn’t make perfect?
There is nothing wrong with watching a sporting event or a little mindless television on occasion. For me, back then, it was every occasion. If it wasn’t racing, then it was baseball or basketball or football and do I dare admit I even watched a little Jerry Springer?? No, I can’t admit that (not yet anyway). Balance is the key to any life and I tipped the scales of my life heavily to one side (I also began tipping the bathroom scales) right into the crapper. My life stunk and I couldn’t even smell it. So there I was feet up in the air in my recliner, watching cars go around an around while my life was going nowhere. Yes my feet were blocking my vision so every now and then I would muster up enough energy to move my feet so I could clearly see the television hanging on the wall.
Chances are, if you have listened to some motivational speakers, listened to their recordings or read their books you most likely have heard this phrase.
“Dream Big and You Can Do Anything!”
Is this true? Can you really do and have anything just by dreaming big? By now millions of people have either seen the movie or read the book, “The Secret” which makes it look that easy. Did you spend your money recklessly in the past and now you are buried under a mountain of debt? Don’t worry about it, just “dream big” of checks coming in the mail and people will start sending you money for no reason. They will be compelled by some force of nature, to write out a check in your name (this is cool because they don’t even know you) and send it to you. I am putting myself out on a limb by saying, “this is a bunch of crap!” The sad thing is, this movie is so popular because so many people want to believe they can get something for nothing. They love the thought of sitting on their ass in their recliner and all their dreams coming true. Wake up people, your dreams will not come true unless you put some action behind those dreams. If you want checks to arrive in your mailbox, what actions are you going to take to make money? Yes you actually have to do something. Read the rest of this entry »
One of the valuable life lessons I discovered through 28 years of marriage and 25 years of parenting is that life is constantly changing and the people in your life are constantly changing. Do you fight these changes or do you accept and nurture them? Fighting change is the same as fighting growth. In our 28 years together I can say that I have been married to at least six different versions of my wife and I’m sure she feels the same way about her life with me. I am very fortunate to be part of her evolution as a woman and individual. Read the rest of this entry »
We all encounter adversity in life and it is the way we respond to adversity that determines the quality of life we live. Will you choose to be a victim of your circumstance or will you be a victor and overcome the obstacles that life presents you?
Many people live lives that are very predictable,they practically do the same thing day-in and day-out and they can perform these tasks without even giving them much thought. It is almost as if their life is on auto-pilot or cruise control. They basically can go through their daily life with their eyes closed. Though this might seem to be convenient, it carries many dangers.
Don’t Get In a Rut
Is your life in a rut? Have you lost your passion for living? Do you know what your passions are any more? Read the rest of this entry »
I have heard many people say that if they only had an extra day in their week, they would find the motivation to make positive changes in their lives. They are so busy that they just don’t have any time for themselves. If they only had an extra day they would be able to make the changes necessary to transform their lives for the better.
I talk with many people that project a similar message which is:
”I am unhappy in my life right now, I need to change things.”
When I discuss with them the things they are unhappy with and then give them suggestions for action steps they can take to change things around for themselves so they can begin to transform their lives, many times what I hear in response are excuses for why they can’t. The majority of the excuses I hear revolve around time, money or family and the real reason for these excuses is fear.
Life is not meant to be a spectator sport. Your life was not created to be watched from the sidelines. It was created to be lived fully and with passion. Are you ready to jump in the game?
Things start going bad in an individual’s life and one of the first things that comes to their mind is that “things have to change.” Most times what these people are really saying is, “other things need to change.” When people find their lives in a rut, they feel they need to shake things up and bring excitement back into their lives. This is just what they feel they need to do to get their life back on track. Unfortunately many people aren’t shaking up what needs to be shaken up and that is themselves.
Life is not meant to be a spectator sport. Your life was not created to be watched from the sidelines. It was created to be lived fully and with passion. Are you ready to jump in the game?
