Daily Ramblings – Motivation Monday – August!!

Tags

consistent, little, motivation, Read, Start, Steps, Write

Can you believe we are already in August? Wow, does time fly.

This is why it is so important to do little things each day to address your goals and aspirations. Do a little each day. You’ll be amazed how much traction you will make toward these goals by year’s end.

Read a little, write a little, exercise a little, meditate a little, pamper yourself a little, etc. These are my areas of concentration, so yours will be different. It’s little activities, consistently done over time that result in huge impacts later in life.

It also does not matter when you start. So what if you had an unproductive year. So what is you don’t have any idea what you want to do. So what, so what, so what.

Pick something new or something you’ve always wanted to do. Start small. Make it simple. Then do a little every day.

Happy August, folks!

Have a great Monday! Have a great week!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Motivation Monday – When you’re sick…

Tags

vitamins, self-care, Sleep, Sick, Sore Throat, Fever, under the weather, ear ache, head ache

I’ve been feeling a little out of it the last few days. I’ve had headaches, ear aches, sore throat, you name it. What do we do to stay motivated when we’re not feeling 100%? We motivate ourselves to do what we have to do, and then we dump the rest, so we can rest.

Sometimes, the only cure for sickness is sleep, vitamins, water, chicken soup, and sleep. Sleep is by far the best way to overcome sickness, because your body needs the sleep to mend itself and fight off whatever it has. Your body will also tell you when it’s losing and it’s time to see the doctor.

So, take care of yourself when you’re feeling worn out like I do. I’m drinking water, had my vitamins and breakfast, and yes, I am going to take a nap. It’s all you can do sometimes. Enjoy the nap. Embrace the nap. Another tidbit of home remedies is showers and baths. I love showers when I’m not feeling well. The body gets rid of a lot of waste and toxins through the skin, particularly when you’re not feeling well. Take that shower to get rid of all that. If needed, go right back to bed after you’re done.

I hope this helps you when you are sick. There was a saying we had in the Army, that was wise and funny. It goes likes this: “There’s a very little difference between hardcore and stupid.”–Unknown. What it means is that being tough and hard-charging is terrific, provided it is not idiotic. There are some who really took hardcore to heart and really overdid it. Being sick and trying to gut your way through it, is not only stupid, it is dangerous to yourself and your unit.

Take care of yourself. You’ll heal up quicker and get back to the things you need to get done.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Motivation Monday – I’m back!

Tags

Bodybuilding, Dad, family, God, Home, NIece, Wife

Well, folks, my nieces have headed back home to Virginia and Arizona respectively, and we are finally back on schedule. It was a great time! We played board games like Scrabble, SkipBo, and Boggle. Mom and the niece even gave Upwords a shot, although this game is deceivingly challenging, despite its ease of play.

The most important part of their trip was to visit Mom and Dad, particularly Dad, who has deteriorated quite a bit. The highlight was the two nieces watching a movie with Dad. Dad loves movies, but has given up watching them mostly, because he cannot understand them anymore. He enjoyed hanging out with the nieces though.

Some folks have a hard time with situations like this. Admittedly, I had a tough time of it, initially. Over time, however, I realized this is how it works. Our loved ones, our friends, everyone gets old. When we get old, there are certain things that happen, particularly with the brain. It just doesn’t work as well as it did when we were younger. I made my peace with Dad’s passing. I hope he stays with us longer, but when its time for Dad to leave–it’s time for Dad to leave.

For those of you who still have your parents around; enjoy them. I consider it a privilege to have gotten back home and enjoyed Dad before his decline. We got in a lot of tv time, movie time, and some good discussions. I will cherish them forever. Now, all Mom and I can do is keep him comfortable, and be ready when the day that Dad leaves.

If you haven’t noticed this before, watch your pets. They teach you a great deal. Both of the dogs we lost both slept most of the day, when they were getting ready to pass. You could see their paws moving as they slept, and hear a muffled bark. In my religious path, this is God’s way of preparing them for their next life. They get to see what they will be doing, where they will live, and the whole thing. I picture Goldie and Weezer, running in parks, totally healthy, with their new families. God is doing the same thing for Dad. He is preparing Dad for his next home.

I hope each of you are having a great summer. It is hot and muggy here, but still nice with blue skies. We had a little rain while the nieces were here, but they had a great time going out to eat with Mom, walking along the St. Clair river, which runs right next to our town, and even got to a Van Gogh exhibit in Detroit. Mom has been wanting to go, but didn’t have anyone to go with. Her friends were busy, and with our current situation, one of us has to be here at all times. So, one of the nieces did some research and got tickets for them to go. Mom had a great time.

My wife, just finished her third bodybuilding competition. She placed 2nd in one category and 5th in another. She was very proud of herself, and she busted her butt to get ready. We were all very proud of her. In the three years she has spent competing she has added 20 pounds of muscle! Anyway, I wanted to brag about her a bit, because the work she does in the gym and her diet are very impressive.

Well, that’s it for now. We’ll be back on schedule tomorrow.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Motivation Monday – Self Care

Tags

Exercise, good music, Hobbies, motivation, Self Care, spas, staycations

It’s time for some self-care. When you work hard, you have multiple priorities, and they are all tugging at you simultaneously, you need some respite. What do you do to destress?

Music has always been a great source of relaxation for me. The right music, calms me right down. Another source I used to distress is to get involved with a hobby. I like video games, so that’s my go to.

Did you realize that exercise can also be a huge stress reliever? Exercise stresses the body, but this stress releases what scientists call the “feel good” brain chemicals called endorphins. You can monitor this the next time you do some exercise. It occurs about 10-15 minutes into any workout. When it hits, you get a “second wind” that makes it feel like you could continue to workout for another hour. Anyway, exercise reduces stress by the release of these endorphins and how the body reacts to the stresses you put on it in the gym. It gets stronger. I’m not just talking muscles, but nervous system, circulatory system, skeletal system–the whole works.

What do you do to relieve stress? What hobbies do you have? What types of exercise do you enjoy?

When was the last time you got a massage, manicure, pedicure? My wife introduced me to manicures and pedicures, and they are terrific. Talk about spoiling yourself. Then there are the spas. When have you been to a spa for a weekend, getting pampered, eating terrific food, and just relaxing with herbal tea and a good book?

For those of you who have a hard time getting away, there’s always the “staycation” where you go to a local hotel and stay the night or for a weekend, letting someone else cook for you, watching some shows on the television, or getting out and taking part in some local events that normally escape your calendar.

We have many priorities and demands. Take some time to relax. You’ll be more efficient and ready to take on those challenges again when you get back from your excursion.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Motivation Monday – Some Goals Should Be Dropped

Tags

Achievement, Drive, Exercise, Goals, Hobbies, losing motivation, motivation, persistance, Resistance, someday-maybe list

I wanted to continue the conversation about your mid-year goal evaluation and assessment I discussed last week. One thing I forgot to mention is the importance of putting some goals aside. We start the year strong, really motivated to tackle all of our stuff, but suddenly, as life catches up, and our priorities change, some goals we set just aren’t right.

This is the time to do a little hedge trimming. What goal do you constantly struggle with? When I use the word struggle, I am talking about internal resistance. You want to do something, but you resist it by procrastinating, rushing through it, or just making a puny effort to get it done for the day. These are the goals you really want to take a look at. One goal, regardless of how you feel about it or resist it, should never be removed from your goal list–exercise. This is one exception to the rule of hedging your goals. The body has to move, work, and exercise. Our internal systems are stupid in a way, but also very efficient. This is the double-edged sword. If you do not work the body, it will react in kind, by reducing muscle, bone density, the whole gambit. When the body goes, so does the mind, and the mechanism you use to get anything done deteriorates.

The rest of your goals are open game. It makes no sense to pursue a goal, you ‘re not into anymore. Put in on a someday-maybe list. Then attack the rest of your goals with vigor. We all change. Our attitudes change, our tastes change, and yes, even our dreams change. Don’t punish yourself by pursuing a goal that you just aren’t into anymore. Get it off your goal list and attack the ones you are excited about.

Here’s an example: One of my goals this year was to draw. I started out on fire, watching YouTube videos, reading articles, and trying out my ideas on paper. Because I am a novice at this, I didn’t spend a bunch of money on expensive drawing paper or the pencils many artists use. I just grabbed the ole number 2 pencils and sketched inside one of my blank notebooks. Around April or so, I lost interest. I liked sketching, but just didn’t feel like doing it anymore. So, I put it on hold. It was my goal. Who cares? Why torture yourself?

The goals I love are related to my passions–reading, writing, learning, exercise, and video gaming. I love working on my laptop with a nice cup of coffee or another of my favorite beverages (Monster, anyone?). As long as it is caffeinated, I’m there.

I have one blogger friend who is passionate about crafts. She makes quilts, handbags, you name it. Another blogger friend is a true-blue author. I have other blogger friends who love to travel, collect stamps or coins, or even make models. My true hobby and love is video games. I can’t get enough of Call of Duty, running around a digital map, and playing the role of action-hero, blowing away the enemy with a growing list of weapons, ranging from a simple baseball bat to a 20mm Sniper rifle. It is such great fun. I also enjoy the Far Cry series, which is bringing out Far Cry 6 this year. It’ll be great fun. I particularly like cooperative playing games, because this is the way my brother (who is in Arizona), nephew, and I stay in touch. He loves video games as well.

Well, that’s enough for this week. The key take-away is to stop torturing yourself over goals you’ve lost the fire in your belly for, OTHER THAN EXERCISE. Exercise is critical to your long-term health and well-being.

Have a great week, folks!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Motivation Monday – Maskless

Tags

Achievement, Assessment, Fun, Goals, Hobbies, Maskless, Monday, motivation, Planet Fitness, Relaxation

It is so weird going into stores without a mask on, but that’s the reality in Michigan now that we are getting vaccinated and cases of COVID are dropping. In other parts of the world like India, Japan, and Australia, things are going back to lockdowns yet again, as various strains of COVID reappear in previously safe areas. The CDC has opted to label these strains using Greek letters to avoid causing issues with the countries of origin. This makes a lot of sense to me, since no one has control how this virus mutates or where it will do so.

My local Planet Fitness is no longer requiring masks, so I’ll be heading there with more vigor. I don’t know if you’ve tried working out with a mask on, but boy, is that a butt-kicker.

Well, we are in the half-way mark of 2021. Now is the time to begin assessing where you are on your goals for the year. Are you on track? If so, awesome. If not, now’s the time to begin adjusting your efforts to make up lost ground. It’s also a good time to remove some goals you just can’t get yourself to do. It’s ok. Many goals suffer this plight. Some goals we set just aren’t right, or the timing is off. Whatever the reason, get rid of that ball and chain and stick with the goals you enjoy working on.

Enjoy your week, folks. Get your self-evaluations done this week. It’ll really make a huge difference at the end of the year.

One more thing I’d like to add is hobbies. Do you have one? Mine is video games. I love playing games and it is my way of blowing off steam and having fun. If you don’t have a hobby, take a look at some of the blogs out there. Many people are so excited and happy with their hobbies, they create blogs about them. Whether it is reading, writing, video games, exercise, coin/stamp collecting, drawing or playing an instrument, find one. I chose one that would serve me well as I get older. Hobbies are something to look forward to. Hobbies keep life fulfilling and fun. When I get my daily work done, I really enjoy playing my video games. This is what a hobby is all about–you have to look forward to it and get joy and satisfaction from it. Everyone has that one thing they can’t get enough of. Find that, and you’ll be entertained, satisfied, and will live in a balanced way. Remember the adage, All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy? It’s true. Work is not a hobby. Hobbies relax, refresh, and engage us in something we enjoy.

If you don’t know what it is you like to do, or never considered a hobby, here’s a great link with 100 ideas: https://www.mydomaine.com/hobby-ideas You should be able to find something on this list to try. That’s it for now, folks. Have a great week!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Motivation Monday – Memorial Day

Tags

Airman, Honor, Marine, Memorial Day, Remember, Sacrifice, Sailor, Soldier, Tribute

Today is Memorial Day. It is a day in the United States that we honor the fallen—those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. We also honor those families who lost someone serving the country.

So today, I thank all veterans and their families for their sacrifices to America—you will never be forgotten.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Motivation Monday – May in Michigan

Tags

Accomplishment, Goals, job, Mood, motivation, reduce, Resistance, Simplify, weather

May is a very strange month for weather. It will either be sunny, calm, and getting warmer, or it will rain, stay somewhat cold, and continue for the bulk of the month. If your mood is impacted by the weather, you are not alone. Many people suffer ill effects when there is less sunshine.

Regardless of your mood, you have a job to do. You have goals to achieve. You have the means and ability to do what is required. So get out there and get it done! You’ll feel great when you achieve what you set out to do, be it a day, a week, month, or year.

Feeling overwhelmed by it all? No problem. Break down some of the steps in your action plan to an even smaller degree. You’ll see that the smaller the task, the less resistance you’ll have in completing it. That’s the key. Reduce your resistance to something you have to do, so you can do it, without procrastination rearing its ugly head. Once you’ve gotten some momentum going with these smaller tasks, you will see how quickly these small tasks build to bigger accomplishments.

Have a great week, folks!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Motivation Monday – New Spreader

Tags

calendar, emergencies, flex-time, Flexibility, Planning, To-do Lists, unexpected priorities

Today’s task that overrode all others was putting together a spreader for the folks. Most of the spreaders at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and a specific store in our area called Menards’ only carry spreaders that need to be assembled, at least those spreaders that are reasonably priced. Anyway, when I have something to do for my folks, that becomes the priority of the day. My stuff can wait. I took a break from assembly to come in and enjoy some coffee, but will be heading out soon to finish up. Almost done!

The reason I brought this up is that despite our need to control every facet of our day, there are times when something needs to be done and you can’t push it off or reschedule it. Unpredictable things, emergency things. This is one of the key reasons to plan your day with some flexibility in mind. One of my Mom’s friends mis-stepped on the landing going into her house and broke her ankle.

Each of us has our priorities. We have home maintenance, personal hygiene, bookkeeping, errands, our jobs, etc. These things can be planned, but some room should be left in your calendar as “flex-time”, then if you have to step on something due to an emergency or some other unexpected priority, you have the ability to move your calendar around.

For me, since I am retired (thank God), I really only need to put important meetings on my calendar. The rest of my day I run with my time management app (Any.do). Then I have the flexibility built in. The key is to get all the things on my list done for the day, it doesn’t matter what order I do them in, or when I do them. It just matters that I finish all I have on my daily to-do list, most of which is recurring daily.

Well, that’s it for today. There are literally hundreds of ways to run your day. Each of us needs to find out what works best for us. These will change as we do, but you understand what I’m saying. Have a plan, but plan for the unexpected. The only way to do this is to leave some flexible time open on your calendar.

Well, folks, that’s it for today. Have a great week!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Motivation Monday – Checklists

Tags

Checklists, Eat the Frog, Games, motivation, Motivation Monday, Planning, Sam Levenson, tasks

Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.

Sam Levenson

Have you ever watched the clock? When I am doing this, I realize that I am experiencing resistance. I can’t wait for the thing I’m doing to end. If you catch this yourself, take a moment. Perhaps this task is something you really don’t want to do. If you are in a position to choose, I’d recommend putting that thing on hold for a while. There’s no sense in doing something you do not enjoy or are not motivated to continue.

If you are in a position where the task you are doing must be completed or is mandated by your employer, find some ways to make it tolerable. I used to make things into a game. Let’s say you have to make some uncomfortable calls. Eat the Frog and get it done. Eat the Frog is the phrase used to get the stuff done you really don’t want to do at the first of the day, so you can get on with your day and avoid procrastination. Let’s face it folks, regardless of what you decide to do with your day, there is always something about that task that isn’t so fun. Get that stuff done first!

I find for myself that having a list of things to do each day is the best way to avoid clock watching. Plan out your day, list out the tasks you need to do each day, and knock them out. One by one. Knock one down, then off to the next. If your day is sufficiently planned with all the activities you need to get done, you’ll be motivated to keep checking them off as you go and the faster your day will go (psychologically). The closer you get to the end of your list, the easier it becomes, and the entire process is really motivating, when you know that once you complete those tasks you are done for the day, to do whatever you want to do. Make sense? When I come to work in an “unplanned” state, nothing is written down and no checklist is in place, my day is absolute drudgery.

Planning, creating lists, and checking them off each day is a terrific way to get things done, avoid the clock watching addressed by Sam Levenson, and get your stuff done, so you can do what you want to.

Have a great week, folks!

Until next time…

Dave