A Boomer's Footprint

Category: Self

our Self – who we truly are, our spiritual side,
our essence.

Have you discovered your true purpose for your life?
What are you most passionate about? Are you learning
new things, growing, stretching your limits?

Are you proud of who you are? Are you making a difference?

  • Did I sufficiently freak you out with the 90 day Challenge idea?

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    Even I was overwhelmed when I read over my list of obstacles and I already put myself through a 90 day challenge this past spring. So I know what’s ahead.

    The truth is we could have a lot of areas to work on.  And it’s okay. We can tackle them one at a time.

    Today is our first check in – have you chosen your biggest obstacle to work on yet?

    It’s okay if you haven’t. You can mull it over a bit more or start with a smaller problem if the idea of Biggest challenge is too much right now.  The main goal of this “90 Day Challenge” is to choose one area in your life which is holding you back and to change it.

    As I write these posts, I will constantly be telling you to “get out your journal”.  If you done any personal develop work in the past, you know this is an integral part of achieving success.

    Did you know we have between 35 and 48 different thoughts in one minute? Talk about multi-tasking. It’s just not fair to ask our brains to REMEMBER the steps we need to take each and every day to complete our 90 Day Challenge.

    Let’s get going. Research show that regularly repeating an affirmation using language in the present tense, as if it is already true, makes the brain believe you are already where you want to be.

    Action Step:

     Get out your journal.  Writing this statement to the top of the page:

    In 90 days, I __________________________.

    For example:

    I weigh _____________lbs.

    My closet is clean.

    I now work at _________________.

    I have all the time I need to ______________________.

    I sleep __________- hours every night.

    I am drug free.

    I ran my first 5K.

    Next post on Saturday. I appreciate comments and questions. Don’t be shy. Let me know what’s on your mind.

    Good Luck.

  • Join Me for a 90 day Challenge

     

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    The sky suggest limitless of  possibilities. We can soar. What can you accomplish if you try? What change can you commit to that will Make a Significance Difference for you?

    Boomers: it’s time to “Make a Difference for Ourselves!”

    Now I know what you thinking. Many believe that as boomers were / are selfish, self-indulgent and self-centered.  But WE know that is not the whole story. WE just wanted to do things “My Way.”

    While we have succeeded in many areas in our lives, we all have something/s on our plate unfinished, unresolved. So I propose tackling one of these issues NOW.

    Imagine that in 90 days you can overcome the biggest challenge you’ve procrastinated about you for ages.

    Here’s how to get started

    Step 1 – Dig out your journal, dust it off and get going.

    If you don’t have a journal, use a yellow tablet, copy paper or any paper scrap available. (Kidding – spring for a nice book, one you are happy to write in every day.) We will use the journal to record our 2016 BIG goal and track our progress while reaching it.

    As you read the list, write down all of the statements in your journal which are true for you. Be honest. This info is for your eyes only. Don’t get overwhelmed if you are writing down a LOT of statements. We will tackle each challenges one at a time.

    One or more items on the following list may be your issue OR you already know “What It Is” because, you’ve been thinking about it for years.

    Here goes:

    I am (_____) pounds overweight

    Run a 5K, I can’t even run five blocks

    I need more sleep

    I take so many drugs

    I am in a rut eating unhealthy foods

    I just can’t remember things

    I have many negative thoughts

    I’m too tired

    I can’t get off the couch

    I am depressed

    I feel lazy, unmotivated

    I am uninspired

    I am discouraged

    I don’t have enough time

    I’m a sandwich between my parents and my children

    I’m too old to learn new tricks

     

    I am sick of my job

    I wish I had a job

    I dream of owning my own business

    Retire, retire with what money

    I have too much month at the end of my money

     

    My house is a mess

    I have too much stuff

    I can never find anything

    I am a shopaholic

    How did you do?

    1-10 items – excellent considering we have lived 60+ years.  That one issue every six years. I wonder which one was neglected before age 5!

    10 – 15 items – oops – somewhere you lost your way

    15 + items – you’ve got serious work to do. But don’t be discouraged, change is possible. I’m going to show you how.

    Step 2 – Choose your big challenge. 

    Now, pick just ONE item from your journal to work on.

    This summer 2016 – over the next 90 days, we are going all in to overcome this issue – no excuses – pick your BIGGEST CHALLENGE. The thing that’s been nagging you for the longest. The thing that you said to yourself for so long if only I ………….

    Step 3 – Sign up for my newsletter. Automatically receive my blog posts every few day where I share tips and techniques to help you succeed. I will also share my personal journey.

    Take two days to psyche yourself up. How to Create your plan arrives on Thursday. You can also follow me on twitter for daily tips.

    Good Luck.

     

     

     

     

  • Disrupting Aging

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    “Disrupt Aging”, a book written by Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP, will be available in April. This article was published in the February/March 2016 issue of AARP magazine, under the entertainment section. It is worth a read.

    I heard Jo Ann Jenkins speak at the Encore 2016 Conference.  She gave an inspiring speech about this notion of “disrupting aging.” I can’t wait to read more when the book is available.

    In short, Jo Ann and many others are challenging current attitudes and beliefs about aging. For those of us in our 50’s and 60’s, we know we do not fall into many old stereotypes.

    We care about health and fitness. We are still learning and experiencing life.

    We continue to make a contribution to society.

    We are the largest population of a generation to date. Our efforts account for over $7.1 trillion in US Annual economic activity.  This amount is expected to almost double by 2032.

    We can expect products and services that meet our needs. This provides a great opportunities for entrepreneurs, including ourselves.

    Changing the viewpoint of aging starts with us, in our behavior, actions, language. and our own self-image. We have knowledge and experiences that are “priceless”.

    How we we use our clout?

     

  • Boomer Longevity?

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    Boomers are predicted to live longer. If we are so lucky to be one of them, it becomes even more important to stay fit and young at heart.

    Life is not about the number of years we have left but about “What quality of life we will enjoy.”

    4 facts about boomers health – some good and some bad:

    -1- Boomers have the highest rate of obesity for their age, higher than any other generation.

    I am sure we are aware of the relationship of obesity and the potential to develop a serious disease – especially these big five – diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer and depression.

    (I recently learned of a test to determine if you too much belly fat – divide your waistline measurement by you hip measurement to determine a ratio.  For men, if your number is higher than 80 you are at risk for many health issues. For women, the ratio is a factor of 85.)

    -2- Boomers are more food conscious. How can we pretend that we don’t know recommended foods to eat and not to eat anymore. Between TV news, magazine and internet sources we are overwhelmed with many articles about this subject.

    In addition, how many magazines in print and online are devoted to getting fit and healthy?

    So with all of this information available, what is the missing piece to explain our over-weight America and our own personal challenges?

    -3- Boomers are not as healthy as previous generation. Sedentary life style, prepackaged foods, fast foods, over indulgence are just a few possible reasons. This can be an alarming statement based on information readily available to us.

    -4- Boomers are more active. With more time available, some boomers are committing to joining gyms, exercising and enjoying outdoor activities. So finally a good statistic.

    Wherever you are on the health and fitness scale, It is never too late to make improvements. Remember, good health is not about our looks but about how we feel inside and out.

    Working on our health and fitness is a critical investment we can make for ourselves when we consider the sky rocketing medical costs compared to scaled-down financial resources available as we retire.

    I will have much more to say on these four and many more issues about health in upcoming posts but for now………..

    Join me and commit to making one small change in your health routine.  I will be writing about my commitment on the “Ourcommonjourney” blog page.

  • Making a Difference for Ourselves

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    If you have ever flow in an airplane, you’ve hear this direction – “Secure your own oxygen mask before helping others.”

    This statement sums up my tag line – Making a Difference for Ourselves.

    As we make a difference for others and the planet, we must continue to work on our own personal growth and development as well.

    Life is a continual journey of options, opportunities, challenges and change.

    We can always discover ways to improve, to learn, to stay relevant. This is especially critical for baby boomers entering this 3rd act in life.

    We prided ourselves in the 1960’s as we worked on self-development. We wanted change and choices. Now here we are in our 60’s doing it again.

    Accepting and learning from change, staying focused and motivated is not easy.

    So with this blog – ABoomersFootPrint, I am combining articles, information and tips pertinent to Boomers with my coaching lessons and exercises. My goal is to teach, inspire and empower you to live your best life, to leave a meaningful legacy, to make a difference.

    My “Live Life Blog” began in late 2013 as DKellyCoach.  During this time, I composed 60 blog posts using a systematic approach to creating a successful life.  I transferred this posts over to Boomers Footprint and they are available for you.  I will continue to develop many of these topics over the coming years but for now you can re-read them by using the categories or tag links searching on specific topics of interest to you. I have been going back to earlier posts and adding helpful categories and tags.

    PS. Please leave comments, even spelling and grammatical corrections. I look forward to reading them. They encourage me to keep writing, keep me focused and give me a clue about your interests.

  • Defining your Personal Legacy

    Sunset ablaze 1It may seem as if the sun is setting on us, as boomers. But we still have many years to make our mark, to make a difference, to create a legacy we are proud of.

    A generation is only as strong as the individual contributions each member makes.

    While as a whole, the perception of the baby boomer’s contribution to society may have a bad rap, many of us know that we have made a positive impact with our lives.

    As we approach this “3rd act in life”, now is a great time to review our legacy so far. (This is a common practice in the Thai culture – to re-assess life at age 60.)

    Every step we take, adds to our legacy. This happens whether we realize it or not. Our daily choices create our life, our personality and our contribution to history.

    Of course, in 100 years, our legacies may not stand out beyond our family history and the traditions we pass down through the generations. But we all make a mark and  leave a footprint on the planet.

    Today’s post includes an exercise to assess where we are.  So try to complete it now.

    Pull out a sheet of paper or your journal and begin. First, answer these questions:

    What is my current legacy?

    What words will be spoken at my memorial service?

    How will my life be remembered?

    What have I contributed, shared, taught to others?

    How have I made a mark?

    Finally, write down the three to five words or phrases which currently best describe your life.

    (Mine are – I serve, I teach, I play.)

    Regardless of your accomplishments so far, it is never too late to create a  meaningful legacy. Revisit your answers in a week or so to see if they still hold true.

    Over the next several months, I’ll be talking a lot about this topic. So stay tuned.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Celebration

    Congratulations on a successful year of CHANGE.

    Even if you made just the tiniest adjustment, it is a step in the right direction – and this is a reason to celebrate.

    Last week the charge was to review the year and our progress. Hopefully, we learned something from the exercise.

    It could be a strength we rediscovered, a weakness we need to work on, an untapped skill, a forgotten dream or just a desire to continue to grow and develop.

    Personal development is the ultimate goal of my coaching tips and techniques. Because this both our task and challenge in life.

    How can we do better, how can we experience more of life, how can we persevere through tough times, how can we tap into our true personality and passions, how can we best use out unique talents and skills. We began the year identifying our biggest dreams.

    Of course, it may not have been easy to reach them in one year.

    We had to believe that we could succeed. We had to overcome limiting beliefs and obstacles. We were asked to consciously bring more joy and happiness into our lives. We had to set goals, adopt new habits, know when to delegate, overcome procrastination and ask for the support of our friends and community.

    This is asking a lot. So as a new year begins, it is time to recommit to our dreams.

    Are we continuing on pursuing our dream or still working on solving a problem in life. Either way stay with me as we move int0 2014.

  • 2013 progress review

    Two more weeks until we have completed a full year of setting goals, adopting new habits, creating more positive thinking, overcoming obstacles and especially making our dreams come true.

    This week, let’s review our progress.

    I know I did not succeed in achieving all of my goals, but there is one I am most proud of.

    My background is in finance and math. For me to commit to a writing program was a Hugh challenge.

    For months, I struggled with writing this blog every week. But I am proud to say, that of the 52 weeks, I wrote for 49 of them.
    That is a big WOW. I am happy. I feel like a more confident writer and gained so much personal knowledge as I read and studied about how to CHANGE. Because this is what it takes to achieve new goals and dreams.

    This week’s process works best with your journal. Go back through your notes. What did you try? What worked? What did not? What did you learn? What can you improve?

    What lessons will you keep working on? What goal did not give you the result you were looking for?

    Don’t worry if you do not give yourself high marks? Change is a life long journey. Even when we achieve our dreams, it is time to commit to new ones.

    Make this exercise count. It is the basis for future.

  • Temptations

    We are in the home stretch – ending another year – 2013.

    For many of us, these are difficult last few weeks in the year. The pressure of shopping, entertaining, house cleaning, traveling, visiting, not to mention the agony of getting every gift just right.

    Now is not the time to also give into temptations. The temptation of overindulging in food and drink, and the mistake of overspending our budget.

    Now is the time to step up and just say “NO” to excesses by sticking to achieving our goals, and staying committed to living our dreams.

    Let’s schedule extra time in our calendars to focus on our priorities – creating new habits, improving our physical and financial health, reorganizing our messes, repairing relationships – whatever our goals have been.

    Let’s keep progressing and end the year strong so we can begin anew in 2014 proud of our accomplishments and successes.

  • New habit review

    We began our new habit after the Oct 24th blog, over 40 days ago. How is the progress?

    If you stuck to your plan for at least half of those days you should congratulate your self. Now you may think, I am not giving you much credit but we must realize that change is hard. At least you should have learned whether this is a correct habit for you at this time of your life.

    So even if, for example, getting a new job was your goal but you just learned of a medical condition which requires a treatment plan, perhaps the stability of a routine, a sure paycheck and medical benefits became a more important priority for now.

    This tells us we are not always right the first time around when choosing a goal and also, things come up with may take precedence in life.

    But what can we learn from our 15 or so days of a practicing a new habit:

    -1- we discovered what time of day for our action works best in our schedules.

    -2- we discovered if we have the tools and skills needed to adopt a new habit.

    -3- we discovered if we earned any benefit from adopting this new habit.

    -4- we did take “some” action

    -5- we did not give up after missing some day of action

    -6- only we know if you gave accomplishing the goal our best effort and life got in the way.

    Going forward we must determine if we made the right choice for this new habit. If yes, continue with the plan with a few tweaks, if necessary. If no, choose a new goal and get started.

    You can review the Oct 24th blog post – 8 steps to create a new habit.