Do More than Expected

Sometimes doing more is a great way to get ahead. Sometimes life throws you a curve and you end up doing more. Sometimes more is just fun.

Why do more?

• Because you can
• Because it is a challenge to yourself. 
• It may be an opportunity to excel 
• It may make it better. 

Take some time to think about how you can do more.

One Thousand Days at Sea is now at eleven hundred days at sea - more has been done.

Stay tuned for a post on When Doing Less is Best.

Feeling Rusty and Dented

Looking to feel shiny and new? Yet, instead, are you finding yourself feeling rusty and dented? Here are some past posts to start the shine and push out the dents.

Take little steps towards your future 

Look elsewhere

Seek to enjoy all things

Get your creativity cooking

Keep calm and carry on

Being positive in a negative world

Listen to grow

Get ready to be ready 

Finding Joy - Mental and Physical Realignment

I've been reading the book - How to Get A Life That Doesn't Suck by Michelle DeAngelis. It is a book full of strategies and self-help suggestions. Published in 2008, this book is reminds me of Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction - Laura Berman Fortgand and Life Makeover by Cheryl Richardson.

Cheryl Richardson's book gives you an exercise to do each week for a one year period. Laura Berman Fotgang gives you 90 days, whereas Michelle DeAngeleis offers to take you on a three part ride to obtain joy that you can work on over time.

What I really like about the DeAngelis book is the BE YOUR BEST charts on page 106 and 107. These charts look at body, mind and spirit. They provide great self-care strategies that one can pick up and run with. Also helpful is the "Get Back on Track" recommendations that are included throughout the book.

Michelle's book Get A Life That Doesn't Suck is well written, but what I found confusing was the mixed joy metaphor that went over to joy riding, test driving examples, and use of the back on track concept. In addition, when added to the cover lemon concept of getting a life that does't suck, I found myself getting very confused. Maybe a better title for this book would have been The Ride of Your Life - finding your joy and loving the ride.

DeAngelis suggests getting rid of the physical and mental clutter in your life, Cheryl Richardson also suggests reducing the physical clutter by creating space and cleaning your office space. Laura Berman Fortgang has many helpful exercises that look at mental clutter in part one of her book, although the word clutter is not actually used.

So, if you are looking to find some joy and wanting to realign your life consider reading any of these three books.  You may also want to consider using a transition or life coach to help you on your journey.

Giving a Remarkable Thank You!

Over the years, I have received some wonderful thank you notes. The nicest are words that serve as embers to bring light to dark days. Some are trinkets and tokens.

One of the tokens I received was a red lantern from a fellow patient and his partner. In my early twenties, I was hospitalized with an extremely complicated allergic reaction to an antibiotic medicine. The ward I was placed on was a non-surgical ward. Here I made the acquaintance of a fellow patient. We spent many hours in deep conversation about life and living. Neither of us was sure if we were going to "get" better. My fellow patient was released a few days before I was. Just before they left, these wonderful people told me "I had lit the way for his recovery" They gave me a lantern, of which at the time I said, "Oh, thanks". I am sure I had a strange look on my face, but they said, "Someday you will understand, thanks for lighting the way".

Another was a great "To Do" list thank you that was printed on a large "To Do" pad. The listed item said Things to do - Thank Terry. I really treasure this thank you note because it shows how someone used the time management concepts in action. It was truly touching to me, personally and professionally.

The purpose of my telling these two stories are not to promote me, but to let you begin to think about how you can make your thank you notes and tokens remarkable and memorable to your recipients.

So who can you thank?

• Thank the leaders and active volunteers of your associations and organizations who serve.
• Thank the server or cashier who smiles, does his or her job with care and enthusiasm.
• Thank you spouse or loved one who goes that extra special distance for you.
• Thank your long time friends for the joy they bring to your life.

Preventing Short-Timer's Syndrome

Are you suffering from Short-Timer's Syndrome? This often happens when we are close to reaching our goal.

Originally, the term Short-Timers was applied to a syndrome observed in military soldiers who were about two to three months out from their rotation or returning home. I believe short-timer syndrome can apply to civilian and military life.

Senior Slump or Lame Duck is another way of terming this specialized short term but difficult condition. This syndrome is seen and observed in work, education or at the end of an association or officer leadership position.

Since we are almost two months from May and June, the common months of graduation and association term ends, it is a good time to take a deeper look at it. Short-timers often get burned out and are frazzled. This is because they have so much to do or accomplish in their limited time. However, short-timers  need to think about their future as much as they need to enjoy the present. This is a true time of transition and transitions are never easy. Being a short-timer is hard.

Review the following and see how you approach the end of a work project, educational assignment or association position.


At Work: 

When the contract or project is almost at the end  - 

a) I get focused and so preoccupied with the future, I don't focus well on today's project with full intent. 


b) I try to be all things to all people, so I can leave a lasting "legacy". I avoid thinking about the "day after" I finish. I will think about that later.

In an Association:

When my term is almost over - 

a) I begin to get the attitude of "I'll let the next person deal with it".

b) I work overly hard and start burning the candle at both ends. So much to do, so little time. I don't think about the future.



At the End of an Education Program:

When I am nearing the completion of my degree or educational program -

a) I find myself worrying about the future and I am not concentrating enough on the assignments and work I have left to do.

b) I start focusing too much on the now, and avoid thinking or doing anything in planning for my upcoming future.



What Can You Do if You Are a Short-Timer?

1) First determine what kind of short-timer you are?

2) Take a moment and view your end by the other perspective.

3) Consider hiring a transition or life coach to help you avoid burning the candle at both ends. The coach can provide some light and clarity to help you see clearer beyond the current assignment, and help you make a bright future, while still helping you focus on the now.


For Short-Timer's
 
Want to stay in the present? Consider hiring a transition or life coach to help guide you through these times.


For Family, Friends or Colleagues of Short-Timers

Consider giving your "short-timer" the early gift of a transition or life coaching package. This will help your short-timer shine through the end of their work and help them plan for their future.
  

You might also enjoy these posts - Eking It Out in The End 
Senior Year and Change.

Changing Your Attitude

This is a post from last year  - but well worth repeating! 

Change and transition's are generally difficult. If you have been involuntarily made to change, a change of attitude may make a big difference.

Three ways to change or transition your attitude:

1. Try looking at things with a perspective outside of yourself.
    
2. Visualize a good outcome and rethink strategically how to get to that place.
    
3. Be grateful you have to experience this discomfort and appreciate the insightful lesson's you will learn.

Growth comes from change. Start with changing your attitude. You will enjoy the journey much more.

Try Reading Something Different

Readers all have their favorite genres or topics that they gravitate towards. I think it is a good idea to step outside your "reading" comfort zone from time to time and find somethng "else" to read.

Recently, I picked up Flotsametics and the Floating World which discusses the career of a oceanographer. The book Flotsametics gives insight into beachcoming, gyre patterns and a variety of other interesting topics around ocean drift patterns and floating objects. I also read The American Leonardo, the true story of the legal battles around a painting that may or may not be a Leonardo da Vinci. The book and tale reminds me of the fictional Dickensian novel, Bleak House and the endless legal case - going on and on, with no one being better off at the end.  Perhaps my favorite recent "outside my reading box" book was The Island of Lost Maps, a true story of cartographic crime. I found this an amazingly fascinating true tale.

By stepping out of our reading comfort zone, we may discover new things, explore new ideas, and look at the world with a different perspective.

What are you reading?