Tag: Family

Merry #Christmas And A Happier New Year

Leave a comment

At the end of 2020 I got my wires crossed when answering a friend’s text. She had asked how I was feeling, and she felt my answer didn’t say enough (I wondered if, maybe she was going through something herself).

Anyway, I let her know I was doing okay and would catch up with her after Christmas. I reckoned there would be a break in the lockdown in 2021 and we could meet for a drink or something.  

That didn’t happen.

I don’t know whether my friend was feeling unwell in December 2020 when she texted, but she died with Covid mid-January 2021.

I felt numb when I got the news. Then I cried, because her death was so unfair, given her age.

This Christmas I’m thinking about her family and everyone else who has lost someone in 2021 (due to Covid or not).

I hope they are doing okay this Christmas.

I hope they will find the right words to celebrate their loved one’s life, even though they are absent from the table.

I hope they / we all have a happier new year.

( Photo by Any Lane from Pexels )

Helping Ourselves On #WorldMentalHealthDay

Leave a comment

Solving Problems Is Easier When We Act Together. (Picture credit Photo by August de Richelieu from Pexels )

Today, of all days, it is worth saying that life without good mental health is hard.

From my experience, in the developed world, it can still feel dark, stressful, and overwhelming to struggle on alone.

In developed and developing nations stigma about mental health conditions can affect outcomes. In some countries and cultures mental health taboos can leave those issues to silently fester in the dark. People affected can hide their illness. It can feel their secret shame to bear alone.

Left untreated their illness can become more significant than it needed to be. That is bad news for their loved ones, their colleagues and everyone else affected.

So, to change those outcomes, wherever we live, tackling mental health issues needs to involve:

  • Recognising something is making our life more complicated than it needs be
  • Reaching out to professionals who are able to help
  • Staying in touch with good listeners amongst our family network and friendship circle
  • Being kind to ourselves

What has worked for you, or people you know?

Always worth remembering, wherever in the World we find ourselves, and whatever else is important in our lives, struggling alone is not a solution.

We are stronger together.

What Do You Want From #2021 (And Who Stands In Your Way) ?

Leave a comment

(Feel free to like and share if you enjoy this post)

This is the time of year when we make changes. Getting healthier; making savings grow; changing our job: these all feature on people’s To Do lists.   

Maybe you made a 2021 Resolution yourself (if so, how is it going)?

The hardest part of making change happen is taking a first step, having stood still for a while (weeks / months / even years).

The biggest obstacle to getting started can be other people, especially when they are important or influential figures in our lives. There are ways around people who want to block our growth.

Take a look at my video on the subject via Youtube if you need to think about working around the people getting in your way. What strategies do you use to keep moving forward? Don’t forget to comment, like, share and subscribe if you enjoy what you see.

All the best – Roger

3 Types Of Thoughtful #Present For 2019 And Beyond

Leave a comment
Happy family group putdoors
Creating happy memories – Photo by Agung Pandit Wiguna from Pexels
 
 
 
This year’s Christmas adverts are promoting the usual kind of gifts we should be giving: yes, I’m talking about coffee makers, perfume and jewellery.
 
 
 
 
But what about gifts that will create happy memories a long time from now?
 
 
 
 
For those of us wanting to show we care, without being too commercial here are three gift ideas which will leave a great impression as they come from the heart:
 
 
 
 
Time – I think volunteering a few minutes to help a friend out or benefit a good cause is pretty cool. This kind of thoughtfulness will be remembered  long time into the future.
 
 
 
 
Connection – I’ve appreciated it when someone knows me well enough to recommend I check out a particular TED Talk or YouTube video. The advantage of this gift is you can pay it forward and help someone else out too.
 
 
 
 
Recognition – I’m finding a simple ‘good morning’, or ‘thank you’ goes a long way to put a smile on other people’s faces. Recognition means I see you and I see the value you add to my life.
 
 
 
 
So what’s your take on the most meaningful presents we can give? Put another way, what is the gift you received a long time ago that still makes you feel good inside?
 
 
 
 
Feel free to tweet your thoughts @RogerD_said

How Does Focusing On #Love Help You Tackle Your #Goals ?

Leave a comment

 

A Heart Labelled Lovee

How Much Do You Love What You Do? Image From Pexels.Com

What would it feel like if you loved how you spent your day?

Imagine if you spent every waking moment using your natural skills to create exciting results. How happy would you and your clients be at the end of the week?

Also, think about the joy you would have if your non-work time was spent with people who were supportive, optimistic and focused on the goal of exchanging their experience with others to improve products and processes.

Like doesn’t have to be a grind.

But Life Is Hard Work!

For some people, especially those taking action to achieve their goals, life is enjoyable. They are not stuck accepting an situation they don’t love. They are thinking and acting differently and achieving different and better results.

Why?

Because they want to love what they do.

So I Can Just Decide To Love What I Do?

Yes. Maybe your occupation isn’t where you find satisfaction. Love might be linked to your family life, or volunteering. Having something uplifting makes life much more enjoyable.

These and similar themes are central to Napoleon Hill’s ‘Think And Grow Rich’, life and leadership guide which was published 80 years ago this year.

To paraphrase from Hill’s 1937 publication:

We have become what we are because of our dominating thoughts and desires.

So if we keep thinking of ourselves as stuck in a rut, isolated and powerless we reduce our chances of moving forward, connecting to a support system and loving our situation.

What’s Your Next Step?

So, I’m putting this post out to encourage people feeling stuck in a rut. Invest some time in writing down what your ideal situation will be in 12 month’s time. Commit to taking action each week to move toward your goal. Share your success story with one other person so they get motivated to change too.

Are you ready to pay attention to your needs? What initial step will you take toward your goal this month? How will that step help you start loving what you do? Leave a reply and have your say.

If you are in need of some support you can always download a free copy of my ABC guide via the Members Access page. Don’t forget to Like, Share and Comment on the post through social media so you start connecting to other goal-driven people too.

Finally, however you spend it, have a brilliant February.

Roger

Goals 2014: Your Key To The Three Main Benefits Of Being Coached

Leave a comment

Here, in case you missed it, is another chance to hear more about the three key benefits of being coached.

Feel free to share the information with family, colleagues and friends.  Get in touch when you are ready to arrange your own coaching programme and to start living your best life.

It’s All About The Goals

Leave a comment

Michael Owen

Michael Owen (Photo credit: emphasis)

There was an interesting Guardian article at the end of March about Michael Owen’s source of motivation to become the best footballer he could be.  There’s a lot to agree with in the piece and some points on which I take a different view.  On the plus side in the article he says:

 

“Reaching the top of your profession on your own is nigh on impossible. Doing it with the support of others gives you a small chance.  Having the support of all your family, while being guided by a father like mine made it hard to fail”.

 

From a young age Michael Owen put a lot of effort into pleasing his father.  Luckily the desire to please his parent chimed with his own growing desire to excel at his chosen sport.

 

On the other side, I think there is more to be said about the balancing elements of motivating a young person to achieve good results and their own desire to succeed , in sport or elsewhere.

 

What little I know about developmental psychology comes into play here.  Parents may say ‘you need to be better at this subject’ and the child may believe ‘I want to be better’.  If so, great results are possible.   If the pressure is all external – the parent bearing down on the child – there is a risk that the child will try hard and be unhappy doing so.

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2013/mar/30/michael-owen-motivation-please-dad

Related articles