The Story so far……

About 6 months ago, you welcomed me in to your blogging lives.

For this, I am very grateful. There are many fine people in the blogosphere contributing many terrific messages.

I thought that I would honour this “anniversary” with a recap of my story so far…….I hope you don’t mind a little self indulgence.

This is my 127th post. I started publishing posts July 2009. I did two that year. I recommenced July 2010. My blog didn’t raise a comment until approx my 60th post in February this year.

I started receiving consistent comments from April, usually 1-3 per post. However you guys really started to kick in from May. Since then I have received 246 comments over 28  posts. The previous 90 posts returned just 42 comments…..First moral of the story, hang in there(don’t give up), keep punching.

Sometimes I feel that my posts haven’t hit the mark, some have been rubbish (upon reflection). Though in the past couple of months, I feel that I have improved.

It’s been a big learning curve. I’m not sure where I sit on the curve at present.  I am enjoying my blogging more now, however I know I have a fair way to go in the learning side of things.

But that’s the FUN of it all…..Second moral of the story , Fun is always there if you look hard enough.

The comments I have received so far have been encouraging. I’m even getting the odd share via Tweets, likes etc, however, in the big scheme of things, my blog is still a little fish…..that’s fine by me.

Will it become a bigger fish? Hmmm…My Imagination keeps me going, I do imagine having a bigger audience. That’s a goal I will pursue with vigour.

Sometimes I don’t know where my blogging headlines or content come from(specifics wise that is). However I do know that when I set my imagination free, the words seem to flow.

Third moral of the story….. don’t be afraid to venture outside your ‘zone’, you may just like it. Imagine things differently, imagine a better scenario.

I have been on planet Earth a while now. And I intend staying for a lot longer. During my journey, I have had high & low spots. Times of great certainty(felt like it anyway) and times of uncertainty.

I found when entering my fifties that I had to re create, rejuvenate myself…..a time of Renewal.

Fourth moral of the story….. there is always an opportunity to step up, play a bigger game, if you like. You can always “renew” yourself and create the person that you want to be. I like to include  ‘renewal’ aspects in some of my blog posts. I feel that I have ‘stepped up’ as my blogging confidence has grown.

I think we go through various stages of renewal during our Life. At least, we have the opportunity to do so. We just need to be aware when things may be stagnating and the time for “renewal” has come.

Thank you for joining me in my journey. You all have journeys of your own. May they be pleasurable ones. I look forward to your continued blogging friendship and hope that I meet many more in my travels through the blogosphere.

be good to yourselves

David

p.s  Feel free to view & “like” my Facebook page over there, if you like

You can check out my Virtual Coach page here

I also hang out @ www.davidstevenslifecoach.com.au

15 options to break your Rut….with Style

Image by Thai Jasmine (Keep Smiling.g..g.g ) via Flickr

Ruts are nasty things. We have all been in them. They come in many forms.

Boredom, same old same old, procrastination, lack of promtional opportunities, Business gone flat, social life disappearing, relationships shaky or non existent, lack of goals, motivation or vision for the future.

Sometimes we need to just shake out the cobwebs and look at things with a different perspective, a fresh pair of eyes so to speak.

Otherwise our Ruts may consume us.

I’ve penned some thoughts, (which you may like?)…. humour me a little and have a read anyway. At the end of the day, if your life is starting to have that stale taste about it or has already become stale, commence thinking differently and take action in accordance with your new ‘style of thinking’.

You might like to try one or several of the below. Put them to the test. In no particular order…………………..

• Slow down, pause, reflect……..what’s going on?…What can I do about it?… Interrupt the ‘sameness’. You can start by creating a new pattern of behaviour

• Take a deep breath, exhale, what are your thoughts right now, are they serving you? Reflect on this…..time for new thoughts?

• What makes you smile? Think about it, add a huge dose of Imagination then…………Smile!

• Tell someone dear to you that you appreciate them OR be really bold & tell them that you Love them(assuming that your relationship is not stale or if it is, find someone else to Love)….that may be a big step, a huge step however it’s sure to be a Rut Buster

• Try doing something different from the usual……….anything, you might like it!

• Indulge yourself a little, think about your greatest achievements to date, what was great about them, can they be repeated………….it’s never too late to achieve again(it will at least get your thoughts percolating)
  

• Be Grateful for what you already have(you do have things to be grateful for even if it doesn’t feel like it right now)……….Write them down. This process alone will brighten you up. You will be amazed at the ‘gratitudes’ you have…..and then, get on with it!

• Read an inspiring Book or watch an inspiring Film, video. Take the time out, get the juices flowing again.

• Take a walk, jog, bike ride…….exercise & exorcise the “staleness” from your system

• Dream a little …..or a lot……Visualise where you want to be next week, 1, 5,10 years from now

• Commence action relating to your visualisation and get excited about it and how it will change your Life

• Tell people about your (new) future and how enjoyable it is going to be for you(accountability)

• Wear a funny hat for a day,  smile a lot (you can’t be unhappy when you smile)

• Find the outrageous in you. Deep inside lurks a (good) demon, bursting to be set free, locate & ignite the spark!….. At least try something outrageous once(maybe a blog post?) if your good demon wants back in his/her cage.

• Seek the counsel of a close friend, helping professional, Life Coach. Simply talking about/through your issues will remove some of the ‘rut load’, you will start to feel lighter. Start removing the burden & move forward with your Life. Gain some traction.

Well, what do you think, worth the read? Let me know your thoughts.

be good to yourselves

David

p.s  Feel free to view & “like” my Facebook page over there, if you like

check out my new Virtual Coach page here

I also hang out @ www.davidstevenslifecoach.com.au

What is it that Shapes Us?

Now there’s an interesting question.

Is it just one thing or is it several?

Do we have any influence on this or how much influence do we have?

Do external factors determine who we become? OR is it an “inside game”?

Is it something we read? OR

Is it something we hear?

Were we born with it? OR

Did we learn it as we grew?

Have we forgotten what it is? OR

Did we know  what it was in the first place?

What is “it” that shapes us?

Our journey through Life allows us to stop, shop or browse for whatever is available whether it be for sale or it be free. You can get off the bus, gather fresh information and then continue your journey. Or you can simply cruise on through(thru) catching glimpses of the sights as you drive by and ignore all the signs along the way.{ Sorry about the analogy, couldn’t help myself }

Collecting information will mean that you either attach to it or discard it. If it has an impact on you then you are likely to attach to it. It forms another piece to your puzzle (about Life).

We collect information all the way through Life. It comes from different sources. Friends, family, acquaintances, gurus, books, media,internet, seminars, experiences. They all have some impact on shaping our Life.

The amount of “impact” and the time that this stays with us varies from person to person. Strong family values & upbringing will no doubt stay with you throughout your Life (as an example).

It also depends on the experience that you felt/associated with this “impact”.

How do we determine a good influence from a poor one?

An excellent question I think e.g,…….. Does it feel right?

Does it add value to you/your Life?

Does it come unencumbered or with conditions?…..

I welcome you to add your thoughts on this.

The eventual acceptance or otherwise of the influences in our lives often come via trial & error. We will make mistakes with this. Some mistakes will be long lasting for many. Others will see the error in their ways & abandon poor influences. This abandonment also forms  part of the “shaping experience”……..letting go of the poor stuff.

To exercise choice in the way that our lives are shaped, is  to be treasured. There will be a lot of exernal factors which try to influence & shape us. Choosing the good ones is the challenge.

Having our internal mechanisms audited & in good working order will guide us through this minefield of influences.

This means that you know who you are and what you want.

That’s what it all comes down to eventually. You, me, we arriving at a destination (there’s that journey analogy again) where we know what is  good for us & what is not, hanging on to the value & letting go of cheap alternatives……. Enjoy your journey.

What is currently/or has shaped you?

be good to yourselves

David

p.s Feel free to view & “like” my Facebook page over there, if you like

check out my new Virtual Coach page here

I also hang out @ www.davidstevenslifecoach.com.au

Is there a Lunatic inside your Head?

I’ve gone a little crazy for this post. It”s a somewhat different take on things, a different angle or perspective if you like……..

#What’s that you say?…..I thought I heard a voice. # Nah, can’t be?

You know, that nagging “voice” which is trying to interrupt your concentration. You are  focussing but there is something else lurking in your subconscious, trying to get to the surface………it appears some lunatic is attempting to sabotage your thoughts OR is that same “lunatic” just trying to get your attention?

Which “lunatic” is it…..Good Lunatic or Bad Lunatic?

The Good Lunatic may at first seem a little crazy, a little different, make a lot of noise but hey, isn’t that the world that we live in? full of noise, distraction. Maybe that’s why he/she is making so much noise……to get your attention in the first instance.

Unnecessary distraction & noise take us away from our Main Game. There are (numerous) times when I have  needed a “good lunatic” to get me back on track. A Voice prepared to give me a good “kicking” when required. A Voice to rise above the noise of everyday Life and at the same time, respect my need for quietness when the time to pause for some deep thought & introspection is required

However, there is also the “bad lunatic” voice, which can be much more subtle(at first). Quietly whispering in your ear. The soothing sounds of self destruction. He/she sneeks up on you, becomes your “friend”, gently offering support & encouragement……..only to eventually get you derailed!

Then the  “bad” becomes “real bad”. He/she ups the volume. The gentle soothing whispers become noisier, more persistent. You have difficulty hearing anything else, this “lunatic” is gaining control & is blocking out the voice of reason, commonsense, practicality and the quiet of deep personal thought.

# Which “lunatic” do you want or have inside your head?

(How do you choose, how do you know which “voice” is the one for you.)

Sadly, many are unaware of the voice within - the inner guiding light, intuition, cosmic power source, universal thought line or whatever tag you would like to apply. So for many, there is a lunatic running loose in the asylum. A distracting noise aimed at your self destruction.

The Key, I believe is knowing your inner voice, it’s vulnerabilities and it’s power(when it’s good & when it’s bad). Knowing your inner voice & it’s behaviour, will give you more self control and the ability to be your true self, rather than have a “lunatic” in charge of your life.

Be good to yourselves

David

p.s Feel free to “like” my Facebook page over there, if you like

I also hang out @ www.davidstevenslifecoach.com.au

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21 Self Discovery Questions to enrich your mid life Journey

Around the age of 40, your perspective on Life often changes (or not for some). For some (good) reason our Thoughts turn to the 2nd half of our lives and how we can continue/start to enjoy or improve our lot…..it did for me at least.  I’d like to throw a few questions at you for your consideration, fascination, procrastination, motivation or what other “ation” grabs your fancy.

Can these questions (I’m sure there are more) get your minds percolating with fresh effervescent ideas? or at least, to take a good look at where you’re currently at & where you would like to be?……I hope so.

• How do I really want to live the rest of my Life

• What impact on myself, my significant others do I want to make in the next 10 years

• What’s vitally important to me Now

• What, if any changes do I need to make

• What support will I need if I decide to make changes

• who will be affected(by my changes)

• Are my Belief systems valid, up to date or need renewal

• What are my top 3 personal Values that I want to live my Life by

• How can I improve my health & fitness

• how much of my potential am I prepared to tap in to

• am I happy

• Is my Love strong enough

• what Life Goals do I need to set

• do my skills need upgrading

• what new skills do I wish to learn

• what are my passions

• what am I prepared to do to achieve the Life of my dreams

• what am I prepared to forego to achieve………

• how can I share myself, my passions, my skills with others

• How do I see myself, my self perception

• what is my perception of the World….do I fit in or do I want to

* Well, have these helped or hindered? 

    Let me know your thoughts.……

Be good to yourselves

David

P.S For more Self Discovery Questions…..View the 2012 version of this post right……. here

p.p.s  Feel free to view & “like” my Facebook page over there, if you like

check out my new Virtual Coach Page here

I also hang out @www.davidstevenslifecoach.com.au

My Linkedin Profile

Related Articles

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• Mid Life Adventure – A Roadmap for the 40+’s (personalpower4me.wordpress.com)
• A Question of Priorities (personalpower4me.wordpress.com)
• 9 Cool things to discover after you turn 40 (personalpower4me.wordpress.com)

Another Theory goes Bang….a case of a misspent Life

There are numerous theories  recorded throughout history. We learned about many of them during our schooling.

Then we have our own theories about this and that. Many of these relate to how we navigate our way through Life..….and then there are conspiracy theories, we’ll leave that one alone.

With our own lives, we gather information from varying sources e.g, our parents, our peers, self help books, media, friends and our daily observations. We then tend to “theorise” how things work you know…….. life in general, the Universe, right & wrong, how to become successful & wealthy etc,

A friend of mine, Trevor used to have a great theory. If he worked hard, got noticed by the Boss, worked overtime, didn’t take most of his holidays then he would be promoted.  His employers would look after him. “They like people who put in that extra effort” said Trevor.

He reasoned(theorised) that he would also get numerous pay rises due to his extra diligence, be able to look after his loving wife and children and retire with a nice sum of money………good theory.

For a few years, things were going quite well for Trevor at work, his “theory” was working…….at home it was becoming different. Family life suffered because of Trevor’s “extra diligence” at work, they rarely saw him,……..theory now looking a little shaky.

A few months later, ‘the deal breaker’, Trevor was retrenched…….theory now shot to pieces – BANG.

Trevor now theorises “that life sucks”.

From Trevor’s perspective, life is looking perilous on two fronts 1. lack of employment therefore lack of promotion therefore lack of pay (rise)…….retiring with a nice sum of money looks unlikely 2. Trevor needs to patch up his family life

What would you do in Trevor’s situation?…. Continue to lament that “life sucks”? OR create a new “theory”?……a paradigm shift if you will.

You see, Trevor relied largely on his main theory outlined in this post. So when it went ‘Bang’………..he was lost, Life sucked. I guess we can over theorise on Life. Keeping it simple has it’s benefits.

We get a few ‘bumps’ or ‘bangs’ in our Lives that  should cause us to think about our “theories” on Life………… What really matters. It’s an individual thing however it’s worth considering very carefully. You only have one shot at this Life so why not make it a great one.

Can you relate to Trevor’s story? Does life suck for you or have you turned it around?

Be good to yourselves

David

Navigating your way through Uncertainty

‘We live in troubled times’…….this phrase has no doubt been uttered through countless generations.

Newsflash - We always have!  Get over it!

We get bombarded with so much negative media. People seemingly prefer to take notice of impending doom rather than of good fortune- the focus is on the negative.

Perception is a great tool to filter the negativity. Our perception creates our reality.

The World may live in uncertain times however that does not mean that you have to. You need to create your own certainty. At least as far as you can go in making things “certain”. I mean, you will need to allow some latitude for “surprises” along the way.

Perception or how you see the world defines who you are. If you see boundless opportunities, they will be there. If you see yourself lacking or with no possible hope or direction in life, then that is what will happen.

You have only one shot at this life…..why not make it a good one! Forget the excuses, just get on with it.

So what does one do? Getting your perception right is one thing but you need to build a stronger foundation. I have found that creating a Map for your future via effective Goal setting and having a Personal Vision will go a long way to eliminating your uncertainty.

If you know where you are going, it is so much easier to get there. To start, try answering these questions;

• What is really important to you

• What do you want to achieve in life, work

• What makes your heart sing, gets your juices flowing

• What risks are you prepared to take

• Do you want to be a victim or be in control of your here & now

• What are you grateful for now that you want to continue

• What do you want to be grateful for

Use these questions  as a guide, you no doubt will be able to craft questions of your own. The idea is to get you thinking along the lines of your future, starting with the present. Create your best certainty now……what’s stopping you?

Be good to yourselves

David

p.s  Feel free to view & “like” my Facebook page over there, if you like

I also hang out @ www.davidstevenslifecoach.com.au

Check out My Virtual Coach pagehere