Author Archive for Theresa Cloud Eagle

3 Steps to Help You Conquer Stress

by Theresa Cloud Eagle · Comments (0)
17 May

Stressed WomanStress is a word that is very prevalent in our vocabulary these days because most people are operating on overdrive. Through the years, I have found a profound hindrance in our society. This behavioral hindrance is that most people do not make nurturing or pampering themselves a necessary part of their lifestyle; particularly caregivers – mothers, dads, nurses, doctors, therapists, volunteers of all sorts and the list continues on. It is so very important that we take time out for ourselves — to relax, rejuvenate, and replenish our bodies, minds and emotions from the challenges and stresses in our lives. We wonder why we have stiff shoulders, headaches, pain in the lower back, pain in the neck, and literally, feeling as if our peace of mind and energy has run away for good. Worst of all, we don’t believe we can do anything about it. The good news is we can! We just have to help our minds and bodies remember what it is like to be peaceful, healthy and whole, without pain or discomfort, and with an abundance of energy.

First Step — Acknowledge we are in need of restoration. We must be mentally prepared to accept the fact that something is out of balance and in-harmony is ruling our lives. No one else can truly relieve the stress we continually endure, but us. By accepting the personal responsibility we have to ourselves, we can begin the journey. Most of us know what we must do, but don’t take the time to even help ourselves. Acknowledgement and acceptance that a condition exists is the first step toward renewal and rejuvenation.

Second Step — Design goals and measures to correct the initial error we made of neglecting our bodies. The initial error of self-neglect allows stress to build in our bodies. Once the unhealthy kind of stress is present, and goes unrecognized and uncorrected our energy vanishes and our health deteriorates. A written solid plan of action allows clarity to be established in our minds. When we have something written down it typically motivates us into action.

Third Step — Put those goal and measures into action. Determining to make a change by putting one foot in front of the other, moving us in to position is proactive. Moving on our plan keeps us on track. Having someone to keep us accountable helps us to succeed in achieving our goals. We are then able to see the light at the end of the tunnel which is our improved health and increased energy.

We all want to have a positive impact. But how can we be effective when there is weakness and sickness in our bodies? When we are in need of restoration or healing of some sort, how can we successfully help anyone else?

The important thing is to do one thing at a time. You didn’t get this way overnight and it will not be resolved overnight. One thing I know for sure is that the Creator desires us to live in good health, totally restored in body, mind, emotions, and spirit. I encourage you to get started today by establishing your plan of action to a healthier life of caregiving.

Excerpt taken from “Nurture Your Soul: The Importance of Self-Care for Caregivers” by Theresa Cloud Eagle Nelson.

Comments (0)
Categories : Caregivers, Family Caregivers, Healthcare Professionals, Healthy Living, Ideals & Goals, In-Home Assistance, Respite, Self-Care, Stress Relief
Tags : , , , , , , ,

Is Your Awareness of Food Consumption up to Par?

by Theresa Cloud Eagle · Comments (0)
23 Apr

Lunch SaladA large amount of the foods consumed by humans are from:

  • Processed sources (high salt content, void of live nutrients)
  • Sweets and refined sugary sources
  • White flour products such as breads, pastas, and rice
  • Beverages filled with carbonated acids, caffeine, and alcohol
  • and Fats that are saturated, meaning they increase  your LDL’s

As far as food is concerned, it is best to eat as much “live” food as possible. These natural food sources ensure that your body gets what it needs to rebuild healthy cells, sustaining itself. Drinking and eating healthier gives you a greater advantage for achieving what you have come into this life to accomplish. Natural foods full of fiber such as fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, legumes, and nuts, keeps a body nutritionally powered. Whole grains are not only a source of fiber but supply energy, too. Foods that give you vitamins, minerals, and fiber are easily assimilated into your system because they are recognized by your body structure. If eating raw fruits and vegetables does not excite you, whenever possible juice them, drinking the liquid to get the appropriate amounts per day. There are many good juicers on the market today. Yes, you can get protein from meat, poultry, and fish, but only in quantities that are best for the health of your body. Listen to and watch what your body’s response is to the food you are consuming.

Eating the proper foods is necessary in lessening the stress you experience throughout the course of your life. There are foods that give the body the weapons to combat anything that creates opposition, adversity or negativity that may arise in your life. In addition, keeping your weight gain down to a minimum enables your organs to operate at their optimum level for longevity and lowering the toxicity build up in your body.

This attention to feeding your body for life is inclusive of being totally prepared for the work you are here to achieve for the benefit of others. You must be healthy, alert, and full of stamina to keep up with the duties, and activities that are meaningful to you and your purpose.

Here is an important point concerning eating habits that is not usually known. It is not good for the digesting of food if you eat when your emotions are not at ease. Eating when emotions are high whether from something exciting or sad, during or after a disagreement, whatever the case may be, is not a good thing.

You typically will over eat, which leads to guilt from what you ate, to indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea or any other gastro-intestinal problem. Your digestive system is sensitive and has a harder time breaking down the foods properly. This can then lead to elimination problems for the colon such as constipation. It is wise to wait until your emotions are settled before you eat anything. Your body will greatly appreciate your kindness toward it.

Excerpt taken from “Nurture Your Soul: The Importance of Self-Care for Caregivers” by Theresa Cloud Eagle Nelson.

Comments (0)
Categories : Caregivers, Food, Healthy Living, Nutrition, Self Help, Self-Care, Well-being
Tags : ,

Fitness is Self-Care in Motion

by Theresa Cloud Eagle · Comments (0)
15 Mar

Are you looking for better ways to stay fit or just want to get back into the game. Total fitness, is the way to go…! Many of us want a quick fix, but forget how long it took to get in the shape we are in. Bad habits breed bad results. Let’s pick up some new habits to replace the old. Erin will disclose some REAL SECRETS to help us get out of our ruts.

WErin_Morrow, WellnessInnovationshat are you doing tonight at 6:00 p.m. EST?  If you’re free (even if you’re not, you’ll want to clear your schedule!) because Erin Morrow, the Fitness Expert from Wellness Innovations will be in our TCE Studio where we’ll be dishing on the REAL secrets to health & wellness…safely and naturally.  The call is free, all you have to do is register!

Looking forward to talking with Erin tonight on the tele-workshop, so come join us!

 

Comments (0)
Categories : Healthy Living, Life Happens
Tags : , , , ,

Energy Depletion and Caregiving

by Theresa Cloud Eagle · Comments (0)
14 Mar

Family members who provide care to individuals with chronic or disabling conditions are at risk themselves. These caregivers are doing what they have always done. We just don’t pay much attention too or acknowledge the stress they are enduring taking care of everyone else.

We have not accepted the fact that the failing health of our caregivers is due to the stress their body is attempting to cope with and eliminate from its cells. That depletion of energy, and ultimately health, has taken on a disturbing statistic. The National Alzheimer’s Association discovered that 50% of the caregivers die before the people they are caring for. Why has it taken so long for us to realize that the outpouring of energy without the replenishing or influx of new energy is extremely important to our health and well-being?

This new information encourages the importance of living holistically, living for the complete care of ourselves – body, mind, emotions and spirit. It also tells us that it is no one else’s responsibility to look after our health, but ourselves. Those in need of care are doing all they can to maintain their own healing energy, which is unknowingly done by taking the healthy energy from those who are the caregivers.

We are energy beings who need energy to sustain ourselves. Those who are having health challenges, of any type – physical, mental or emotional – will take the healthier, dominant energy from those who are stronger. Energy pulls come from every direction as we go through life, whether we are in the hospital, restaurant, classroom, lecture hall, on the bus, plane, train, or in the car. Wherever people are energy is being exchanged. Only when you are aware enough to recognize the symptoms of energy depletion will you know to call your energy back to you or take time to replenish yourself. But to get to that point, takes time and know how, which begins with techniques that will teach you how to rejuvenate yourself.

Comments (0)
Categories : Behaviors, Caregivers, Coaching, Healthy Living, Self Help, Self-Care, Toxic Habits

What is Your Total Fitness Level?

by Theresa Cloud Eagle · Comments (0)
14 Mar

We don’t often think of our total body as an important instrument. When we, as caregivers, change our perception of self-care, we will discover that our body not only functions as a physical, mental and emotional entity but it also houses our sacred life force – the spirit – our true essence. As a result, our taking care of the “Temple that houses the Holy Spirit” in daily life will take on a whole new meaning. And as this meaning clears in our understanding, we will realize that total health has three dimensions, which includes self-care for our physical, emotional, and mental selves. The spirit takes care of itself; the other three have to catch up, submitting to follow the “wise one’s” lead. The Creator made us to be healthy in all areas, but we have sadly dropped the ball.

  • Your body is an instrument that, when well-tuned, emanates greater harmony. Your spirit is like the music of a grand piano, and God is asking that you allow that piano to be played as it was designed in order for your creations and existence to be a harmonious melody.
  •  Your physical energy must be maintained to stay in balance. Your energy system is fragile therefore you are always in a delicate state of balance. Anything that causes your emotions to move from Love – your true state of being – to the place of ego can pull you out of harmony, and that is when imbalance or illness can begin to set in.
  • Your actions ought to line up to promote longevity and health. Are you consistently talking and walking with the Creator? Are you speaking using compassionate and prosperous language? Are you behaving as though you are love incarnate, and generally taking care of yourself as if you were proud of your existence and heritage – heirs of the Divine? Your life is special and something to be held as sacred.

A Caregiver’s state of health is very fragile. It is known, through extensive research, that caregivers, of family members with health challenges, are less likely to engage in preventative health practices. The consumption of unhealthy foods and drink is greater in those who give care. Caregivers of family members and healthcare patients do not exercise. Most disheartening is that caregivers do not pay attention to their medical needs because they are consumed with their caregiving tasks. In some cases, it is difficult to get to the doctor or hospital due to no one being available to watch the family member or lack of transportation.

This goes to show that when we are taking care of and worrying about others, we ignore our own well-being – most times out of neglect. But there are those situations when it is out of numbness to the stress the body is enduring. Then we move into fear of it being too late to make a change. It’s NEVER too late! We just have to adjust our priorities and choose differently. The Divine Creator God is graciously waiting for us to choose differently.

Comments (0)
Categories : Behaviors, Caregivers, Coaching, Healthy Living, Self-Care, Total Fitness, Well-being

Caregivers of Family Members with Health Challenges

by Theresa Cloud Eagle · Comments (0)
25 Feb

http://www.TheresaCloudEagle.comThere is a growing number of Americans who are taking care of older people and adults with disabilities in their families and communities. The estimated number of caregivers is currently at 44 million at the age of 18 and older filling this unpaid labor force. These people have little to no training for the roles they have accepted to fill, which makes them ill-prepared to provide care. A large number of these caregivers, unfortunately, are suffering from poor health themselves and have made the decision not to put their loved ones in a long-term facility.

These caregivers believe they will have assistance from siblings or other family members to share in the responsibility for this monumental task. In addition, they do not believe that they will be affected by taking on these additional responsibilities, which causes them to be consistently exposed to anothers suffering.

Many of these caregivers, it has been determined, are at risk emotionally, mentally and physically because of health problems arising from multifaceted caregiving situations and the strains of caring for frail or disabled relatives. But the fact is that medical advances, shorter hospital stays, improper planning for discharge of the individual, and the expansion of home care technology have increased the costs and the responsibility for caring on these families. The family is made to shoulder the financial burden due to lack of health insurance coverage.

In an article I read, which was featured in the 2010 Winter Issue of Pennsylvania Caregiver Magazine, it outlined the effects of stress on in-home caregiver’s. I believe it is appropriate that I share it with you here to emphasize the points I am making for the importance of taking care of yourself.

 “Formal training is typically not an option for family members who often take care of relatives with dementia or any other type of illness. Stress is exhaustive for these family caregivers, which leads to a higher occurrence of breakdowns and depression. Dementia is just an example of the types of caregiving on the list of health imbalances and disease enveloping people who have taken on the responsibility of caring for a loved one. (Dementia is a serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal aging.)

 “Steven Zarit, professor and head of human development and family studies, Penn State University, and his colleagues from Benjamin Rose Institute studied the 15 most common stressors for caregivers, including – financial strain, patient behaviors, frequency of help from family and friends and caregiving time demands. Approximately 4 million people in the U.S. care for a family member with dementia. Typically care continues for five to seven years, but some take on this role for 15 to 20 years.

“The most common way to help caregivers is teaching them specific coping skills for stressors, but many existing interventions target only one set of stressors.

 “‘The majority of caregivers are living at home, with little or no help,’ says Zarit. ‘The family has to pay the physical, emotional and financial cost of the caring, which can be staggering. When the caregiver gets overwhelmed, it raises the probability of a breakdown in the care situation.’ In a few cases, there are reports of neglect or abuse.

 “‘Most interventions operate as a preventive measure – they reach people before the stress becomes overwhelming. Because stress profiles vary so widely, we just don’t know how much of a given stressor will hit a threshold and when we should make an intervention,’ says Zarit.”

As you are experiencing these stressful times, it is your responsibility to set the boundaries and take the actions necessary for you and your life style to rejuvenate yourself for health and well-being. What is good for one individual may not be good for another, but choose some way to rest.

Respite, a way of getting away from it all, is a necessary action for caregivers. Respite means – rest, relaxation, and simple down time. A couple of options to consider for respite and relieving stress for those who are caregivers of family members in-home are:

  • Family meetings – which enlist the support of extended family members,
  •  Adult Day Care services – two to three days per week if it is in your budget – which provides structured activities for your family member.
  • Go on a Silent Retreat
  • Check into a hotel or B&B for the night if finances permit

Do what you have to do to get back in balance, becoming realigned and reconnected to the Christ within you.

Comments (0)
Categories : Behaviors, Caregivers, Coaching, Healthy Living, Inspiration, Self-Care

Acknowledging Your Need for Care

by Theresa Cloud Eagle · Comments (0)
18 Jan

We as caregivers come to the “rescue” of anyone who we believe is in “need” of our care or attention. We not only help family members, neighbors, and friends, but we become employed to help care for those who have health challenges as nurses, doctors and other health professionals. The caregiver has an innate nurturing, and caring gene—often to our detriment. As caregivers we miss the mark big time as far as taking care of ourselves is concerned. We do not give care to the one who should mean the most to us — ourselves.

A very disturbing statistic came to my attention a few months ago. The National Alzheimer’s Association released that fifty percent of caregiver’s die before the one they are giving care to. That probably applies to those caregivers of special needs people, but it is not something that any of us can take lightly.

We all want to have a positive impact. But how can we be effective when there is weakness and sickness in our bodies, emotions and minds? When we are in need of peace from the stress in our lives, how can we successfully help anyone else? It is not divine to suffer, neglecting ourselves for the sake of others. That is not what the Divine is asking of us.

We must be mentally prepared to accept balance and harmony in our lives, for no one else can truly relieve the stress we continually endure. Most of us know what we must do, but don’t take the time to even help ourselves. Acknowledgement and acceptance that a condition exists is the first step toward renewal and rejuvenation. This is a call for you to “claim your peace, health, and well-being now!”

Comments (0)
Categories : Behaviors, Caregivers, Healthy Living, Self-Care
Tags : , ,

Come Back to the Middle

by Theresa Cloud Eagle · Comments (0)
09 Nov

As a fellow Baby Boomer, I want to talk to you about something that’s close to my awareness this issue. As we, the Baby Boomers, begin to delve deeper into the position of caregiver to our parents, caregiver to health challenged family members and for the most part getting our children and grandchildren headed in the right direction, we forget an important piece to making this equation really work for us. Our own self-care is the piece we inevitably push to the back of our minds.

The role of children taking care of parents and spouses taking care of spouses during the transition into older age is all around me. The importance of self-care is so vital to our being that I am still sometimes awe struck at how many people bypass their own needs to care for someone else.

Those of us who have been living more holistically for a large part of our adult life are getting the point, but even we are being hit in the gut and feel the need to escape for self-preservation. On the other hand, I believe the majority of our Baby Boomer population is in denial as to their vulnerability. We are struggling trying to take care of our work load as employer/employee, our primary household duties, take care of the aging parent, wherever they may be, take care of grandchildren and sometimes children. We believe we can do it all without paying any attention to our body signals. The more we put on our “plate” the less we pay attention to what it going on with our bodies.

Your body cries out for you to appreciate and take care of it. You may notice you are getting more headaches. You may not sleep through the night as you once did. You may be gaining weight. Your stomach may have begun to give you problems, because your digestive system is out of sync. You may lack energy where previously you were full of vim and vigor. You are eating and living on the run.

To make matters even worse you are now fast approaching the holiday season. The holidays in many cases compound the challenges and roles you are trying to juggle. You may have lost a loved one during this time of the year. You may have lost a loved one this year. You know getting together with family can cause dysfunction to your otherwise peaceful existence. To top it off, it’s your turn to prepare the holiday dinners, as you juggle shopping for presents and planning parties. Why are your nerves in an uproar … again?

That being said, it is even more important to get in the game of self-care. I do want to emphasize that self-care always has the same level of importance no matter what the season.

One easy and highly effective body relaxer you can utilize on the spot is BREATH WORK. Doing breathing exercises allows the heart to slow down to a more normal rate. The heart is the connector to the Creator and true essence of who you are. As the heart slows down the emotions come under the control of that true essence.

To begin, inhale to the count of eight, hold for four counts then exhale to the count of eight. As you exhale see the tension of the moment become a little less important. And feel your body become more relaxed. The tension between your shoulders releasing is a good indicator of the body relaxing. Do this four times. DO NOT rush this moment.

Another important and highly effective method is VISUALIZATION. If your imagination is very active you may be able do this on the spot. It may however be necessary for you to slip away for ten to fifteen minutes into a quiet place. Don’t forget to lock the door!

Think of something that is beautiful, brings you peace and puts an immediate smile on your face. For example, if you have been to an island and remember the beach with the sun setting over the water, you know what I am talking about. Use this point of reference. If you remember hearing the water lap onto the shore with a gentle touch, which is also relaxing, you may want to use this visual.

If you like the mountains and you remember the quiet as the day turns into night when you took a moment on the balcony or you hear the crickets singing in the background lulling you into relaxation, then use this reference.

If you have a photograph that conjures up relaxation and beauty for you, use it in your mind’s eye for your place of escape.

I believe you are beginning to get the idea of what I am talking about.

After completing one of these, take a moment to feel the power of your true essence. Embrace and honor that truth knowing that you are in control of your being and nothing outside of yourself has any power over you or the divine in you. At the end of this exercise you will feel totally relaxed and reconnected with your inner strength.

The purpose of course is to regain control over your emotions taking back your power. Only you are responsible for what you feel. Refuse to let anyone or anything steal your peace and comfort.

As a side note, please do not entertain guilt. You may feel a little uncomfortable at first, but you know within your heart of hearts you love those in your inner circle. And you show them that love whenever you can, but you must show yourself love first. If they truly love you, they will understand. If they don’t, they will one day, is the attitude you hopefully will take. You are as important as anyone else and that guilt feeling will go away eventually.

Always remember, Self-Care is health and life℠. Have a wonderful Holiday Season!

Comments (0)
Categories : Life Happens

Three Toxic Habits to Subdue

by Theresa Cloud Eagle · Comments (0)
12 Oct

1. Procrastination is the consequence of not getting things done.

It’s Wednesday morning and this is the third week you have put off organizing your office files. I’ll work on them tomorrow you say, but as the old childhood saying goes, tomorrow never comes. This is just one of many excuses I could give you for putting something off.

Many of us procrastinate at some time or another. For a small minority of the time, that’s okay. But when our behavior becomes excessive for putting things off, it becomes detrimental to our well-being. It becomes a way for the saboteur to constantly exist in our space as a way of life.

Procrastination can create a stagnate environment. Your potential for growth ceases to exist because nothing gets done. It makes me wonder what the true reason is behind this toxic habit. The beginning is to do some self-reflecting. Could it be you are afraid of the success that could blossom in your life? Or are you afraid that your freedom will be taken away by making progress giving you the feeling that your time is not your own?

The self-saboteur is our greatest enemy. The ego wants to always get its way. The ego will undermine all of the things we know as success. It feeds on all of the negative statements that we have ever heard – you will never amount to anything, I told you, you couldn’t do it, you don’t know what you are doing, you are too stupid to do anything right, why are you wasting your time on something that idea. What is your saboteur telling you?

Caving in to these emotions allows whoever said them to you to keep you in victim mode. When you overcome procrastination you are charting your destiny in life. You become everything good you know yourself to be. What will you chose?

The solution is to eliminate one thing at a time. Focus on the present task at hand. Focus on the NOW while you are working on that project. Chip away at it bit by bit until it’s done.

2. Incomplete projects are comprised of lacking or unfinished parts and items not considered perfect.

Wow, I can’t seem to get anything done, you say. I start one thing then another pops up for my attention.

Incomplete projects can line up to include quite a long list of items. You started piling up ill-fitting clothes to give to the charity group that has been calling you for a couple of months. There’s more I want to add like those old T-shirts that remind me of places I’ve been that were so dear to me, you might say.

I have so many photos that need to be put into those albums. I’ll do that one evening real soon, comes another response.

We can justify the action to anything that is a task we just don’t want to think about. What is that doing to your mental anxiety? Out of sight, out of mind – I don’t think so.

When we accumulate clutter in our homes and offices, we create clutter in our lives. Incomplete projects are a form of clutter. Many times we want something to be perfect, when getting that “thing” to a point of “pretty good” is the place to be. Then later you can return to the item to make it even better. I followed this point myself for an appearance I was making because I needed a major promotional piece. I was proud however for the initial task had been completed. And it gave me momentum to stay focused.

Incomplete projects work on your stress level because you know nothing is done. If when you look around, you see parts of projects something is going on that you need to address. If an adjustment is not made you may begin to feel inadequate. For an entrepreneur it may be time to build a team of people to help you. I was faced with that too and when I began the implementation of team building, I felt much better. I was getting somewhere, not just spinning my wheels.

You don’t have to get everyone or everything into place at the same time, but put an action plan together with a timeline. To begin, ask yourself this question, “Where is the immediate need and who has the skills that can take care of that need?” Maybe it’s someone to clean the house for you or it’s someone to make telephone calls to help build your business. Move forward where you can to get projects completed.

3. Indecisiveness is being not conclusive, is lack of decision making or is vacillating.

Who has been caught up in the swirl of indecisiveness? Its allure pulls us in before we know it.

The two previous points could make indecisiveness raise its head while you are trying to decide where to begin to end procrastination in your life or what project you want to complete first.

Being born under the astrological sign of Cancer, which is a water sign, I’ve learned to just do it. Where have we heard that before? Water tends to slosh around from instability, so to be decisive is truly a stabilizing force for me. It took me all of my early adult years to learn that one.

When you are not stable your emotions can run amuck, just confusing the issue, and that is what indecisiveness creates. You, and everyone around you, become frustrated from your lack of decision making.

When you lack decision, nothing gets done. The best attack, make a decision stick to it. If it turns out to be a decision that was not so good, you have learned what not to do again. If it was good, then you know something you didn’t know before. Being passive doesn’t allow for anything positive to happen because when you make no decision you have learned nothing.

Choices are made all of the time, good, bad or indifferent. The important thing is that you make the choice, don’t let someone or something else make it for you.

Begin detoxing your life for a healthier and happier existence. Send an email to schedule your FREE 30 minute Coaching Session for Self-Care or Effective Living.

Comments (0)
Categories : Coaching, Healthy Living, Inspiration, Life Happens, Self Help, Self-Care, Thoughts Create, Toxic Habits

12 Tips to Becoming Unstuck

by Theresa Cloud Eagle · Comments (0)
22 Jul

There is a story about the ruts wagons, carriages, and such made when our society had dirt roads. Every carriage using these roads had to continually use the ruts that were already made on the road. You couldn’t make new tracks on that road because of the depth and solidity of the dirt over years of use. They just could not be altered or dislocated. This same story can be applied to the habits, behaviors, and situations we are faced with in our life.

 

Have you ever been in a place of being stuck? At one point in my life, I traveled the same road, continuing to repeat the same patterns of behavior getting the same results even though I wanted new ones. I didn’t know how to change and implement new habits. I needed help. I didn’t have the tools until I learned what they were and how to use them.

 

Becoming an adult with understanding and knowing is a wonderful thing. The tools I am sharing are what have helped me move to a road of my own making. I don’t like spinning my wheels and following a path that is not productive. That doesn’t feel good to me and it certainly doesn’t take me where I want to go.

 

Here are some steps to help you create a new road with new tracks to make your journey easier. As you go through these steps journal the process for your review later. This will also act as a motivator to keep up the good work you are doing.

 

1.     Recognize and acknowledge that you are stuck repeatedly traveling the same road in the same ruts.

There is a saying that goes something like this. “If you keep on doing the same thing expecting different results nothing will ever change. You must decide to change your behavior and do something different to get different results.”

2.     Reflect and investigate your patterns to find the behavior that is keeping you from making a change.

3.     Once you discover the non-productive behavior or habit that you keep repeating, review the harm it is doing to your life path.

Make two columns in your journal and title them “positive” and “negative.” Make a list of the behaviors you use concerning the area you want to change. This exercise should show you how out of balance you are from repeating these actions. What we want to see is a high number of positive results.

4.     After this exercise, you will realize and can see what that behavior is doing to hinder your growth and success in life.

5.     Ask yourself, “Is this where I really want to be?” Then ask yourself, “Do I want to stay here for the rest of my life or even an extended period of my life?”

6.     If your response is “NO” with a determined attitude, then you are ready to move on to a new path to make new tracks.

Only you can decide and implement what you want your life to look like.

1.     Determine what you want to change in your life. What can you do to take the first step? You are only taking baby steps here. One small step at a time.

2.     Make sure this step is manageable and can be worked into your schedule. You will have to be willing to make adjustments.

3.     Set a date for this behavior change to begin and another date for the change to be completed. Dependent on what it is you are working on, the “thing” may not have a completion date.

4.     Make sticky notes with affirmations, inspired sayings and encouraging words. Place them in your space to help you stay focused and on track. That means you can see them wherever you are – in the car, around your desk, on the refrigerator, on the bathroom mirror, by your bed, and so on.

5.     I strongly suggest that you not share what you are doing with non-supporters. These people will only try to sabotage your progress. You are not strong enough to handle this yet.

6.     Lastly, you will want a strong supporter. One who can help you maintain accountability for the direction you have chosen. Not a yes person, but someone who will be authentic with you. You want to stick with this new path on your journey reaching a measurable level of accomplishment and success.

All of these steps take discipline. I have learned that anything worth having is worth working for. Being consistent in your actions to achieve the outcomes you desire is critical. Your success ripples out to others who observe your behaviors giving them a sense of hope. People observe, therefore, you are an example of one sort or another. Through your adjustments in behavior, you will begin to feel more alive with each accomplishment made toward your ultimate goal.

Send an email to schedule your FREE 30 minute Coaching Session for Self-Care or Effective Living.

Comments (0)
Categories : Behaviors, Coaching, Ideals & Goals, Inspiration, Life Happens, Ruts, Self-Care
Next Page »