A Boomer's Footprint

Tag: success

  • Leaving a legacy

    As you read this blog, post, begin to think about what is your legacy.

    We all are creating a legacy.  It will be reflected by the words spoken at our memorial service.

    – What will people say about us?
    – What will they remember years later?
    – What have we contributes, shared, taught to others?
    – How have we made a mark?

    Of course, in 100 years, little is left for many of us, beyond the family history and traditions passed down through the generations. But we are all leaving a footprint on the planet.

    Regardless of your accomplishments so far, it is never too late to create a  meaningful legacy.

    As you discover more about what a successful life means to you, you can connect your dreams, plans and actions to your legacy.

    Begin by writing down the three words which best describe your now. They can be verbs, nouns or adjectives. Try to be consistent with the part of speech you choose.

    Mine are I serve, I teach, I play.

    Refer back to your definition of successful life. Are your three words reflect in your successful life statement? If not, this is your starting point for change. Think about the one area of your life you want to work on first in the new year.

    In two weeks, we will commit to one resolution for 2013.

  • 6 Simple Steps to Make a Change

    “The only constant in life is change.”
    -Albert Einstein

    As you read this blog post, think about these simple steps to make a change.

    We are creatures of habit.  If we do not know what will happen in any given situation, we can go into a negative, fearful place.

    When we commit to change we are moving outside of our norm, our comfort level, our routine.

    The good news is change allows us to embrace about new possibilities, new blessings, open new doors, and to stay current with changes which are happening around us anyway.

    When we take time to review our life, there can end up with a long list of changes to make.  Pick one and get started. Six simple steps to make change happen are:

    -1- Stay focused – maintain a single minded focus until we reach our goal.  Choose only one item to work on at a time. Be very
    specific about what you want to change.  Write down your goal, post it where you can refer to it every day.

    -2- Be clear about your motivation – Make a list of the benefits you will receive when you complete your goal.  Write them down, posted it where to can read it every day.

    -3- Get started – Choosing one goal map out an action plan. Break this goal into smaller step.  Schedule some time each day, even 10 minutes, to work on your task.

    -4- Track you progress – This is a great use for your journal. Keep track of your actions.  Note what is working, and what is not. Both sides provide valuable insight for you.  You can create a checklist or calendar schedule with the daily tasks. Post your notes where you can see them every day.

    -5- Do not quit – It is common to run into a setback.  Do not let these obstacles derail you from reaching your goal. Think about what your goal – why did you get side tracked. Write about it in your journal for further study if necessary, and pick up where you left off from your plan.

    -6- Celebrate your victory – Plan your reward for success. Why not, you worked for it.

    Good Luck!

    In two week, we will empower ourselves to have, be and do all that we  deserve in life.

  • What it takes to change.

    As you read this blog post, think about what is standing in your way for change.

    Before we learn some simple steps to make changes in your life, let’s look at some common excuses, which stop us dead in our tracks.

    Change is hard because:

    – we are stuck in our ways
    – we fear the unknown
    – we are afraid to fail
    – we don’t believe we can succeed
    – we are unsupported in our journey
    – we have no self control
    – we are intimidated in trying something new
    – we are comfortable with what we know
    – we are stubborn
    – we are like the old
    – we are too old to change

    These statements may not sound like the blog post title “What it takes to change”, but these are shared excuses.  These beliefs do not mean what we can not succeed in making any small or large change we desire. They mean it is time to take a new approach, to step out of our habits and routines and to take a risk.

    We can successfully face these obstacles head on and persevere with making a change, if we are willing to embrace new ways
    of thinking and living.

    Next week, we will learn steps to make a lasting change.

  • Defining success

    As you read this blog post, think about your definition of a successful life?

    When we hear the word success, most often, we think of financial achievement.  But there are many more factors that create a successful life.

    We cheer for others but what about us?


    We each can define what is success means for us.

    Some of these statements may be true for you.  As you read through them, jot down two lists – what is currently true for you and what you want to be true for you.  Include other statements, which may apply for you.  And please take a few moments to add them in the comment box so I can share them with others.

    – I live fully each and every day
    – I discover my passions in life
    – I protect our planet
    – I take responsibility for all of my actions
    – I do what I love
    – I live joyfully
    – I have financial stability
    – I enjoy a full social life with great relationships
    – I create a meaningful life legacy
    – I follow my own spiritual path
    – I give back
    – I am creative
    – I have an attitude of abundance
    – I make the best use of my talents and skills
    – I use time wisely to achieve my best results
    – I experience excellent mental, emotional and physical health
    – I seek wisdom
    – I learn from my failures
    – I commit to my success
    – I WOW myself all the time

    Success is reached by making intentional, committed choices and by taking action to achieve our goals and dreams.

    Making new choices, may require change. So jump off of your treadmill and take a small step towards reaching a new success.

    Next week, we will look focus on that scary word –  “Change”.

  • Life on a Treadmill

    As you read this blog post, think – Are you happy and satisfied with your life right now?

    Life is a journey.

    This year, this week, this day, this moment – we are living our lives.

    The past is over. We can never it get back. We have good or bad memories.  We can have a do-over experiences. In fact, if we didn’t learn a life lesson the first time around, we may repeat it until we do.   But when we try again to get a different outcome, we may need to take different actions.

    The future is a promise of what lies ahead.  We can dream and plan for the future but there is no guarantee that it will come. Circumstances change, events happen that can change the course of our lives in an instant.

    So what we have is the NOW. The question is how is our “NOW” working for us.

    Am I happy or miserable, fulfilled or wanting, successful or struggling, passionate or complacent? Am I making the choices to create a life I want or letting life make them for me?

    For many of us, life happens on a treadmill.

    I don’t mean that dusty piece of gym equipment taking up too much space in your home, acting like a coat rack, bookshelves or junk pile, that continual reminder of wasted money and an unfulfilled desire, goal and commitment to be fit.

    I mean on the treadmill of the routines we created in our lives. Routines that may or may not be working to get desired results we want. We take the  same steps day after day, going round and round and round, taking one step at a time, moving fast or slow, changing the pace and the duration but essentially going along the same path without any significant variation.

    But to what end.  If we stay on your treadmill throughout this year and the next five, where will we be, what will be different?

    Taking small steps off the treadmill does encourage change, growth, choice and opportunities.

    Is NOW the time to get off of your treadmill and make the conscious decision to live the life you dream of?

    Next week, we will create statements that define what your successful life look like.