Change For Your Own Good
Do you have dreams? How do you plan to achieve them? One thing is for sure. You can’t just sit there and dream without taking action. It might sound counterintuitive but taking action is the best thing you can do when you are afraid. You will definitely stay in the same place if you don’t go after what you want.
As American author and public speaker Regina Brett said, “No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, show up, and never give up.” I think that is the best way to think about creating and living a life you love. You need to be motivated, take good care of yourself, and be ready to keep going, even when it gets hard.
The best way to make a change in your life is to name it and then create a goal to put it into motion. When you take personal responsibility for your welfare and happiness, you are personally invested which means you will follow through to achieve your goal. When you aren’t happy with an aspect (maybe more than one) of your life, it is up to you to do something about it.
You might think it is easier to just sit around and complain or blame it on something that happened to you when you were six, I mean that’s what I did for a long time. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and I got a concussion. I blamed a lot of my lack of motivation on that one instance because it scared me. I don’t know about you but it seems to me that a lot of people would rather complain about the lack of jobs, or the lack of opportunities for success than roll up their sleeves and do the work. So what’s bothering you now? What would you change if you could? Your job/ career? Your health? Or is it something about where you live?
Let’s go deep and see if we can figure out what your options are to improve your career, health, and your home. These are all inescapable elements of your life. What can you do to make your life better?
Job satisfaction. You either hate your job or you have golden handcuffs and you don’t think you can afford to make a change because you can’t match the pay and the benefits. The way I see it you have three options. One is to see what you can do to make your quality of life in your job better. Can you take a class or speak to your boss to see if you can change your responsibilities? If none of that seems like the answer, then it’s time to make some phone calls, send out some emails and start to find a job or career that suits you and makes you feel fulfilled. Or you might need some time to create your new reality. Develop your skills to become marketable in your dream job field.
Your health. This is a big one. It is also something that you can control. I have found the best way to make a change is to develop a strong “Why.” If you want to improve your health, you need to be very clear about why improving it will make a difference in your life. Will increasing your activity make you less stiff when you stand up? Will strength training create some definition in your arms and strengthen your bones so you can stand up straight? Will strong muscles and bones make you feel better about yourself and confident? When you feel good in your body, it shows. You are confident and you find the strength to speak up for yourself.
Home sweet home. Is that what you say every time you walk in the door? If not, what can you do about it? Maybe you just need a fresh coat of paint and some cute curtains. Or you can put a few flowers out by the door. You can watch them grow, enjoy their beauty, and attract a butterfly or two. You can even improve your health and your home if you grow a few herbs or vegetables. You don’t need a big garden. You can have a container garden. That way it is manageable. If you don’t like where you live, what will it take for you to find a house or an environment that will make you happy?
This is your life. This is it. So make the most of every day and every aspect of your life. I’ll bet you work hard every day. You deserve to love your work, feel great, and be happy when you arrive home.
Remember, your future is in your hands. You cannot wait for someone else to take care of you. It’s not going to happen. Stop complaining – Start taking care of yourself today. Give yourself self-care. It is your right, not a privilege.
