A Boomer's Footprint

Tag: obstacles

  • More on fears

    climb-mountain

    A rocky path for sure but don’t let fear get in your way.

    Are you as surprised as me to realize that you have fears that you didn’t have earlier in life?

    One of my realities is that my body simply doesn’t do what it used to.  Even with my current workout program focusing on my strength and stamina, I am not back to the old days.  Of course, I’m don’t accept I may never get there!

    Besides our bodies wearing down, fears can develop around other issues.  Some are:

    Running out of money

    Increased cost of living

    Losing a job

    Death of a spouse, other family member or close friend

    Isolation or loneliness

    Fear of an injury or new health problem

    Falling for a scam

    Believing it’s too late to achieve a dream

    It’s important to remember that while fears are so real to us, they mainly exist in our heads.

    The way to overcome them is to simply take action. Recognize what our fear is and tackle it head on.

    This is a common theme throughout my posts. As we continue to age, our doubts, fears and obstacles can grow. No is not the time to let them rule our lives.

     

  • Procrastination

    stock-photo-retro-effect-and-toned-image-of-a-woman-hand-writing-on-a-notebook-handwritten-quote-399696850

    This is a tough obstacle to overcome!

    Procrastination is “the act of replacing more urgent actions with tasks less urgent, or doing something from which one derives enjoyment, thus putting off impending tasks to later time”. (wikipedia) So while we can’t argue with the desire to seek enjoyment, leaving tasks undone does not make them go away and can actually add more pressure or anxiety into the mix.

    This is something I know about first hand.  My schedule is to post every Thursday.  I can usually find an excuse why I can’t or won’t. When I procrastinate on this task, I feel I’m not keeping my word, letting down my readers and I lessen the importance on my commitment to you. My usual hang up is finding an appropriate photo for the message. As you can see this week I didn’t even crop the pic like I often try to do. At my procrastination moments I say, Dorothy, get writing. And I DO. Hence today’s post.

    There may be small upside to procrastinating. Sometimes while pondering a problem or task, we come up with a solution or more effective way to accomplish it.  But overall, the negatives far out weigh this possibility.

    Why do we procrastinate:

    We don’t love doing the activity

    FEAR – we want to avoid the unfamiliar

    We are not competent to do the task

    We underestimate the time frame the task requires

    We believe we must be in right mood to do the task

    We are unorganized

    We believe we need the task to be perfect

    We don’t see the reward by completing the task

    Here’s a quick tool to overcome procrastination: Start by doing something that gives you a sense of accomplishment.  Choose a small step that can happen in 10-15 minutes. And get it done.

    When you complete your goal, pay attention to how you feel.  Is there an improvement in your mood?

    Reward yourself for achieving a success. Make a list of the daily  accomplishments in a journal. It helps us focus on how many things we DO.  Read through it daily, smile as you recall success.

  • Become fearless

    fears-

     

     

    Check out this image.  I didn’t know there were so many things I could fear.

     

     

     

    Our fears do not develop overnight.  We’ve had a lifetime of experiences and actions which may have created them.

    The good news is that overcoming a fear is a skill which can be learned at any time. The challenge is to decide if NOW is the time you are ready to face one of them.

    Here are five beginner steps to use. I say beginner steps because change is a process.  These five steps are a quick and easy method. A technique you could use for a “smaller fear” to have an experience and then a positive outcome. You may need additional information or to seek specific help to guide you.

    -1- Become aware – Recognize the control that your fears are creating in your life.

    -2- Identify exactly WHAT you are afraid of. Using your journal – use the two column method for this exercise. Column one – what is the best outcome and the benefits I can have if I try this activity?  Column two – what is the worst that can happen if I give it a go? Choose one fear per page.

    -3- Understand that fears are just fears.  They are created by our imagination.  Perhaps because of an actual prior experience which didn’t go well.

    -4- Take action – Decide that you are ready to overcome one fear.  Take action and do this scary thing.

    (If you watch any of the TV weight loss reality shows, the trainers demonstrate how HARD and yet possible it is to dig deep, be honest with ourselves, accept responsibility for our actions and use our strength and new found courage to overcome our biggest obstacles. With fall coming I’m sure one of these programs will be on.  You could watch one and follow along for inspiration.)

    -5- Review – How good or bad did you do?  Return to your journal and compare your outcome with your two columns of the best and worst outcomes. Then add this additional information.  What did I learn?  What can I do to improve? What should I change in the future?

    Get going. Time is a wasting.

     

  • Overcoming obstacles

    YOU ARE your biggest obstacle!

    If you are having trouble with follow through and motivation, don’t worry it may not be your fault. Discover why……

    We have been battling or even ignoring obstacles over our lifetime already. We may not realize we are doing it or how debilitating this is.

    If your response in the past has been to quit when the going gets tough, now – this challenge – is a great opportunity to face at least one of your obstacles.

    There are so many obstacles:

    There are personal obstacles. Some of them are: psychological, behavioral or just our state of mind.

    There are social obstacles, including: people who can be uncooperative or even sabotage you, shame you, bully you (even adults do this), put you down, or impose their own insecurities onto you.

    There are environmental obstacles. Some are: unexpected occurrences, circumstances and instances over which we have no control.

    Not to mention: bad habits, time management, organization, preparedness, fears, excuses, procrastination, inexperience and negative thoughts and energy.

    To get started – recognize and admit what is standing in your way.

    This is a journal exercise. Make a list of EVERY obstacle you own up to. (This may take more than one sitting.)  Every time another occurs to you, add it to the list.  While the process may feel overwhelming and negative in its own right, admitting what is standing in your way is the first step to change. We may even see a pattern of thoughts and behaviors emerge. Then we will know where to begin.

    For the rest of this challenge, I will be writing about obstacles. Remember an extra benefit of achieving this “90 Day Challenge” is to create good habits, experience and self confidence that lasts a lifetime.

  • Join Me for a 90 day Challenge

     

    IMG_3531 (2)

     

     

    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.

     

     

     

     

  • Making a life change

    This week we choose the topic for our big change – a life changing decision.

    To decide whether to choose a passion or a problem, let’s review our two lists from previous weeks blogs.

    In week 3 back on January 17th, we wrote out a list of our lifelong dreams. In case you didn’t finish the task or lost your sheet here is the exercise again.

    Take sometime today to complete the exercise.

    Dream worksheet – Write down your life vision in as much detail as possible.

    If time or money were not an object, what does your life look like?
    What are you doing?
    How do you spend your time?
    What are your surroundings?
    Who are you serving?
    What footprint are you leaving behind?
    What is your legacy?
    Where do you live, when do you begin, with whom do you share it?

    Your dream should include sensations – sounds, smells, sight, touch, tastes, colors, especially dream about how you will feel in your chosen life!

    Define these different aspects in your life:
    Life’s purpose
    Passions
    Personal accomplishments
    Family
    Friend / relationships
    Community
    Fun, joy, hobbies
    Adventures, experiences
    Recreation
    Health / Fitness
    Service
    Career
    Abundance
    Financial plan
    Other

    During week 26 – June 27th, we were to make a list of all of the areas of life which need fixing or improving.

    Suggested topics are:
    Cleaning up messes
    Procrastinating
    Not delegating
    Non-working relationships
    Managing time
    Work environment
    Disorganization
    Our physical environment

    While it is your choice where to begin, research shows it is hard to commit to living our dream life to live with passion if there is a major area in our lives which is holding us back. So choose wisely and remember, you can change you mind if you realize you are not ready, willing or able to pursue you first choice for your big change.

  • Problem or Passion?

    Once we are ready to commit to making a big change in life we need to decide where we can make the most difference for ourselves.

    When analyzing a change we want in our lives they fall into two categories.

    We have to determine if we have:

    A problem to solve

    OR…

    A passion to fulfill

    It can be very difficult to commit to fulfilling a passion if we have a big problem or obstacle standing in the way.

    I categorize problems into three general areas. Each topic includes a few positive terms to measure our status against.

    Health – physically fit, stress and pain free, flexible, active, vibrant,  agile, energetic, eat a healthy diet, and mentally strong

    Wealth – live with an attitude of abundance, debt free, successful,  philanthropic, prosperous, financial achievements, innovative, creative,

    Self – happy, confident, resourceful, passionate, dedicated, conscientious,  loving, free, personally responsible for self, and working relationships

    We face obstacle daily.  We have usually just finished solving a small problem, in the middle of one, or a new one is around the corner.

    But if we are facing a major problem, the challenge for the next 15 weeks is to really solve it so we can live our dream life.

    Passions are something deep inside of us dying to be expressed, to get out.

    We are all born with a true purpose  – a passion. The purpose which use our best skills, and talents.    The purpose which inspires us. A passion which touches our soul and fills our heart with joy.

    When discover our true purpose we are blessed.

    If we are ready to fulfill a passion, the challenge over the next 15 weeks is to identify the passion and create a plan to incorporate it into our lives.

    Take some time this week to sit quietly and think about where you are in life and what will take you closer to your dreams.

  • Planning a big life change

    In review, the blog posts so far have covered:

    20 weeks – discovering our biggest dreams which fulfill our passions, bring us joy and happiness and are fueled by the
    self beliefs and positive thinking that we can have a life we desire.

    15 weeks – overcoming various obstacles which stand in our way. Some topics included: negative self-talk, facing our fears, time management, non-working relationships, procrastination, and cleaning up various messes around us.

    While we may not be absolutely ready, willing and able, with the confidence and belief to make all of our dreams can come true, this next series of posts – from September 5th through December 31st is a challenge to choose one of the dreams on our list and make it happen.

    We will be making a plan to create a big change in life.

    But don’t panic – along the way we will strengthen our belief systems and work on overcoming obstacles still getting in the way.

    Often, I will suggest that you look at your calendar and realistically pick a goal or task which fits into your schedule, BUT for these next 15 weeks, I am challenging you to complete:

    one goal which will bring you the most joy, happiness, pride and satisfaction

    OR

    one goal which you may have been procrastinating about for awhile

    OR

    one goal which will fulfill a big life dream

    OR 

    one goal which will help you overcome a fear

    OR

    one goal which you decide is most important for you

    To get started each day take a few moments and day dream about what will make you happiest and jot down some notes in your journal.

  • External Obstacles

    These next few blog posts address external obstacles that directly impact our individual lives. The topics will include our environment, time management, and our relationships.

    External obstacles can get in the way of our achieving success in reaching our goals and dreams.

    It is easy to let external obstacles become:

    -1-  Crutches – we can lean on obstacles as a reason for a failure

    -2- Excuses – we can create so many excuses for WHY, WHY, WHY.

    why we didn’t finish a project
    why we are unhappy
    why we can’t we ever find things
    why we are not achieving success

    -3- Distractions – obstacles can keep us unfocused on our priorities, our goals, our mission.

    Sorry for the short post this week, but can not let any external obstacles get in my way right now.

    I am merging the contents from a second three bedroom home into my smaller already furnished apartment.

    This means I must look at, touch and decide on everything which is in this house.  Does it stay or does it go?
    In the end, this is becoming a very therapeutic process of letting go.

    No crutch – I am relying on myself to get the job done.

    No excuses – I can not procrastinate about the task.

    No distractions – I must stay focused on my deadline.

    Using technique over the coming weeks,  we  will address external obstacles which stand in the way of making our dreams come true.

  • Tackling obstacles

    When we begin the process of making life changes, the number of issues we may face could seem overwhelming.  It becomes hard
    to decide where to begin.

    If you made the list of items in your life which need improvement last week, then you know what I mean.

    My list included over 75 items. While this is a long list, I broke my list into small steps, which I could accomplish in an hour or two, a day at the most.

    If you listed big items on your list, rework it by breaking the tasks into smaller, manageable steps.

    Once you are happy with your list, review it and prioritize the tasks.

    There are two options here:

    (1) Pick the smallest obstacle to tackle first. The benefit for this choice is you can complete a task and check it off the list.  Right away then you achieve a success.

    (2) Pick the largest obstacle and begin there, persevering until you have completed it. The benefit for this choice is that you can make a substantial improvement in one area of your life.

    Here are some factors to consider when making your first priority:

    • Are you ready to overcome this obstacle?  If you are not emotionally and physically ready to accomplish a task, it will not happen.

    • How much time you have available today, this week? Be realistic about your schedule.  If you day or week is already committed, can you find any time to work on a problem?

    • Do you have the necessary tools to complete the task? If you are cleaning out the garage, do you need new shelves or boxes for better storage?

    • Do you know how to solve this problem or do you need to get help? We may not have all the skills to handle every task or problem we face, be prepared to ask for help.

    When working through issues, it is best address them one at a time.  Contrary to some popular thoughts, multi-tasking rarely works.

    The brain does not function at its best with many distractions, and by starting and stopping projects.  This is true on a personal
    level and while completing work projects.

    Next week we will look at how to overcome a health issue.