Happy Thanksgiving!
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Melody Beattie
The School Family Feast!
Today I am grateful for the warmth and love of my family, Pumpkin Pie AND that I don’t own a bathroom scale!
Of course Dad came!!
And Mom!
Wishing you a Peaceful and Happy Thanksgiving Day!
The Transformation Continues…
It’s been a while! I never thought those four words could hold such meaning not to mention activity and I now realize why, in my research for information on what happens in between the goal of a ‘whole new start fresh life’ and what the’ I am now here not there’ caption really means!
We all go through transformations in our life; some planned, some not, some big, some minor but whatever change you are experiencing the end result is your life is altered…you are altered! We call it living and on the other side of these transformations we wind up knowing more about ourselves.
In my last e-zine article I wrote about overcoming the inertia that fear of change and the unknown can bring. Today I find myself trying to catch up with an old friend I haven’t seen in a while.(that’s you) The process has been hectic but once I started I found I really didn’t have a lot of time to sit around and think about all that I was doing. Just so you know that’s a good thing! If you try and think about the whole goal it really will overwhelm you so instead I used my own program, Get Your Year In Gear and lists have become my close companion. Now that a number of tasks have been completed and certain mini goals towards the major goal have been achieved I thought it might be fun to share some of the revelations I have discovered along the way.
YOU CAN’T DO EVERYTHING AT ONCE
Now this sounds obvious but I think most of us still somehow secretly believe that we can; I certainly did. A major transformation is like taking on another full time job with a huge number of ‘sub-categories’ and tasks that are added to what you normally accomplish. If you try to accomplish everything at one time you wind up exhausted, ineffective and feeling inadequate for not being able to perform the impossible. Some things are going to have to be put on the back burner so you can focus your attention and energy on what is most important to do first in order to achieve your goal.
DITCH THE GUILT
Come to terms with the fact that all the other things will be there and by addressing what is humanly possible first you will absolutely get results and find yourself feeling empowered, effective and confident.
LISTS, LISTS AND LISTS
Understand that your list will be ever changing and the first task you planned for the day will likely evolve into a whole new list of unexpected and unplanned for tasks. This will absolutely knock the other two tasks you planned for the day over to ‘tomorrow’ and you need to develop the attitude that this is progress not defeat. Expect the unexpected. We all know this. Whether it’s planning a party or purging your life down to a one bedroom residence there will be times when the unexpected will happen. When you are in the middle of a large process these paper monsters seem bigger… more looming. Learn to let go and discover your journal or whatever works for you and deposit these negative thoughts and feelings somewhere other than your brain. If you don’t they will become like little trolls marching around in your day causing unnecessary stress and deterring your progress. Focus on what you can humanly accomplish today and ditch the guilt.
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
Here is a handy list of things I have found useful in my process. My tool bag if you will:
- Golf cap…a couple of them actually. This will become a part of your daily costume
- Eyeliner and mascara are the only cosmetics you will need for a while.
- Sunglasses; big ones for when you are out on your ‘errands.’
- Really good hand lotion.
- As for your feet? Thank the heavens it’s winter and time for socks and closed toed shoes.
- A gift certificate for a good Mani/Pedi…someday. You might want to put this on the coffee pot. By the way, don’t use this too soon as it will only make you sad if you ruin it the very next day!
- Another golf cap.
- My particular transformation has involved a great deal of manual labor that I am unaccustomed to doing. I discovered ibuprofen works well for minor aches and pains and can be purchased at the dollar store. Of course, consult your physician before taking any medications!
- At least once a week take the time to blow your hair out and curl it even if you are going to cover it with a golf cap. It’s important to remember that you really do have hair that it is surviving all this.
- A good friend who will let you have your pity party and then kick you in the bootie and get you going again. Gently of course; telling you how wonderful you are and how proud they are of you for what you are doing and all that you have accomplished so far. This is essential!
The good news is as you begin to accomplish many of your tasks and goals you will be able to see your progress and your journey will become easier. For me…my house is repaired, painted, fresh, uncluttered, organized and LISTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, I almost forgot…plan a reward once a week. Whether it’s a nice candle lit bath or a real meal with parsley on the plate you need to remember to be kind to yourself, stay positive and it will happen. You can do anything if you really want it!
Deborah Hayes, CTA Life Coach
Empowering women to live a life of consequence, a life without regrets that is your own unique version of the life you love. About Deborah
deborah@womenintransitiononline.com
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