What happens when you reach your goal? While many Transition Your Life readers may not see the end or their destination at hand, I think discussing how one faces or handles this is of some importance.
When you reach your goal, this is definitely when we need to first celebrate and savor in the moment of glory. This is something we should not miss.
Secondly, we need to appreciate what we or others did to help make the goal achievable. Very few journeys are journeys of one. Sometimes upon reflection we realize others helped shape us and made contributions in ways we could not imagine. This might be the high school teacher, the motivational speaker, the neighbor down the road who always gave you a smile.
Thirdly, once the momentum of arrival and completion has slowed, I believe we need to ask ourselves some questions relating to the accomplishment of the goal. Making an immediate evaluation of what we have done has some value, but when the goal or achievement is monumental, I think taking a few weeks to ponder this might be the best choice.
Reaching your goal is a achievement which takes lots of effort and stamina. Give yourself some congratulations and savor your success.
This is a best of post
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Over and Done
For some graduation means one's life ticket is punched and the next stop is already planned and prepared. Not all of us are so lucky. When the ride of one's life gets derailed or comes off the tracks it's really a cause for frustration.
Not all journeys are straight lines. Fortunately we can learn lots of great things while being on a circuitous route. Remember straight lines are just straight lines. While they are steady they are generally boring.
This is the time to take advantage of your disadvantaged state. First run over to your local library, yes, the local library, and get an up-to-date library card. Check out some actually books. Bored? Then it is time to read some current magazines or newspapers. You know, the print issues they still get delivered. Check out any events or near free course offerings in the community. Someone who is reading current events or attending them is likely not a boring person and will have something to say upon meeting new people.
Next, start sharpening your networking skills. Contact a few people to practice some informational interview meetings. Remember you are in-between and searching. You are not yet "officially" looking so you are just collecting information, not seeking definitive employment. Take the pressure off yourself for just the meeting.
Now is the best time to keep healthy. Exercise daily and maintain a healthy diet. Go for a walk and find things that make you laugh and maintain your sense of humor. You have more free time now than you will likely ever have again until you officially retire. Use your time wisely and enjoy it productively. Don't waste this time. It will be gone before you know it.
Not all journeys are straight lines. Fortunately we can learn lots of great things while being on a circuitous route. Remember straight lines are just straight lines. While they are steady they are generally boring.
This is the time to take advantage of your disadvantaged state. First run over to your local library, yes, the local library, and get an up-to-date library card. Check out some actually books. Bored? Then it is time to read some current magazines or newspapers. You know, the print issues they still get delivered. Check out any events or near free course offerings in the community. Someone who is reading current events or attending them is likely not a boring person and will have something to say upon meeting new people.
Next, start sharpening your networking skills. Contact a few people to practice some informational interview meetings. Remember you are in-between and searching. You are not yet "officially" looking so you are just collecting information, not seeking definitive employment. Take the pressure off yourself for just the meeting.
Now is the best time to keep healthy. Exercise daily and maintain a healthy diet. Go for a walk and find things that make you laugh and maintain your sense of humor. You have more free time now than you will likely ever have again until you officially retire. Use your time wisely and enjoy it productively. Don't waste this time. It will be gone before you know it.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Get Ready To Be Ready
The expression Ready, Set, Go is likely an adaptation of the prompt On Your Mark, Get Set, Go used by a variety of racing fields (swimming, running) to prepare their participants for action.
We can use the Ready, Set, Go to prepare our day or even our life for upcoming changes.
Being Ready
To be ready we can prepare our tools, equipment, and even our physical being for the upcoming action. We can improve our knowledge on the subject, increase our skills and education. We can prepare our body for the upcoming physical actions or anticipated requirements by eating nutritious and healthy foods.
Getting Set
While getting set means getting on the "mark" in the physical racing world, we can get our brain on the mark, by being in the right mindset. This includes being truly focused on what is before us. By avoiding distracting veins of thought we can be instead set on our upcoming event. We can also actively work to prevent beginning conversations in our minds that get our emotional being unsettled.
Going On
The Go part of is the first step on your new path. Take a deep breath and begin. Since you have already done the Ready and the Set it is likely that the Go part will be the easiest.
Getting ready and set are by far the most important parts of making a transition. Be prepared to spend some time and do some work to fulfill the preparation of "Ready" and "Set".
Have you used Ready, Set, Go in your life transitions?
This is a best of post - from 2010.
We can use the Ready, Set, Go to prepare our day or even our life for upcoming changes.
Being Ready
To be ready we can prepare our tools, equipment, and even our physical being for the upcoming action. We can improve our knowledge on the subject, increase our skills and education. We can prepare our body for the upcoming physical actions or anticipated requirements by eating nutritious and healthy foods.
Getting Set
While getting set means getting on the "mark" in the physical racing world, we can get our brain on the mark, by being in the right mindset. This includes being truly focused on what is before us. By avoiding distracting veins of thought we can be instead set on our upcoming event. We can also actively work to prevent beginning conversations in our minds that get our emotional being unsettled.
Going On
The Go part of is the first step on your new path. Take a deep breath and begin. Since you have already done the Ready and the Set it is likely that the Go part will be the easiest.
Getting ready and set are by far the most important parts of making a transition. Be prepared to spend some time and do some work to fulfill the preparation of "Ready" and "Set".
Have you used Ready, Set, Go in your life transitions?
This is a best of post - from 2010.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Say No Now to Move Forward
Do you have looming deadlines? Now is the time to say No! You don't have to be mean, you just have to be firm. Say no to the unnecessary and the unneeded. You can also say no to the much later and not required now.
Focus on what is needed now. Don't look for new projects or let them find you. When you have looming deadlines it is just the nature of the beast that exciting shiny projects will come charging in. This is always the time they will come looking for you, they really will. Be prepared. Don't let them in you head. Don't put them on your desk or desk top to distract you from your deadline.
Are you about to finish up the school year? Are you almost three weeks away from deadline? This is truly the time to take the words above in the top two paragraphs to heart. Say No now to move forward.
Focus on what is needed now. Don't look for new projects or let them find you. When you have looming deadlines it is just the nature of the beast that exciting shiny projects will come charging in. This is always the time they will come looking for you, they really will. Be prepared. Don't let them in you head. Don't put them on your desk or desk top to distract you from your deadline.
Are you about to finish up the school year? Are you almost three weeks away from deadline? This is truly the time to take the words above in the top two paragraphs to heart. Say No now to move forward.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Sizing Things Up
There are times when you need to measure your progress on your journey. You can do this at a certain points of times during every transitions. Here are some suggested time and then some questions for you to ask yourself. The potential times to do this are:
Four months after a move
Two months after graduating college
Three months into a new job
Two months after retiring
One year after the loss of a loved one
Six months after getting married
What has been accomplished?
What is there left to do?
What has been learned?
How have you changed?
How are things different than you expected?
What do you know now that you did not know then about yourself? (Example: You are skilled in packing fragile items)
Reviewing and reflecting can help you get a fresh perspective and grasp of where you are and what you have accomplished. I encourage you to take some time to size things up. It can be revitalizing and give you some more energy to move forward.
Four months after a move
Two months after graduating college
Three months into a new job
Two months after retiring
One year after the loss of a loved one
Six months after getting married
What has been accomplished?
What is there left to do?
What has been learned?
How have you changed?
How are things different than you expected?
What do you know now that you did not know then about yourself? (Example: You are skilled in packing fragile items)
Reviewing and reflecting can help you get a fresh perspective and grasp of where you are and what you have accomplished. I encourage you to take some time to size things up. It can be revitalizing and give you some more energy to move forward.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Make Time For Fun
Let's talk about having fun. Fun is something we all need to take seriously. After all, all work and no play is what makes a day dull and us boring.
How can you have fun Today? How can you make fun everyday a priority? Having fun is different for each of us. For some it may be reading a book, watching a favorite TV show or movie, using Pinterest or Facebook, playing solitaire, going for a walk or spending time talking on the phone to a friend or family member.
It is especially important to set some time for fun when we are overloaded with a long "to do list" or complex project. Fun needs to be incorporated into our day when we are in the middle of a life transition or living through a stress filled period in our life such as when serving as a primary caregiver for an acutely ill person or child. It may seem like a misuse of our time but the "fun break" or "Fun out" will make us more productive and effective in the long run.
When we schedule in fun, we maintain a good balance in our life.
So what fun are you planning today?
This is a revised post from 2009
How can you have fun Today? How can you make fun everyday a priority? Having fun is different for each of us. For some it may be reading a book, watching a favorite TV show or movie, using Pinterest or Facebook, playing solitaire, going for a walk or spending time talking on the phone to a friend or family member.
It is especially important to set some time for fun when we are overloaded with a long "to do list" or complex project. Fun needs to be incorporated into our day when we are in the middle of a life transition or living through a stress filled period in our life such as when serving as a primary caregiver for an acutely ill person or child. It may seem like a misuse of our time but the "fun break" or "Fun out" will make us more productive and effective in the long run.
When we schedule in fun, we maintain a good balance in our life.
So what fun are you planning today?
This is a revised post from 2009
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Walking The Talk
I work with a wonderful coach weekly to keep myself on track. Over the years, I have come to know this weekly 45 minute session will get me into the present mindset and give myself a dedicated time to review my progress, plan my week with intention and stay the course.
Working with my coach is deeply personal. My time with my coach lets me come to the realization that I sometimes need to make changes that I have been procrastinating about. On occasion, my coach, gently helps me normalize a chaotic situation or gives me the ability to look at a situation in a new light. In other words, my work with my coach allows me to look at different perspectives of the issue.
A coach is a valuable addition to your life. I wanted to let you know I really walk the talk. I still offer coaching and transition coaching services, contact me if you have questions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)