It's Time for a Change

Today is going to be a let me be blunt and honest with you. Some of you need to make a change.  I hear it in your voice mails, emails, coaching sessions and direct messages. Have you been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately?  Perhaps a bit stressed out from work or the home life? Are you still afraid to travel? It’s time to take control of your life once again and make the necessary changes to bring back the excitement so you can reach your unique and full potential. 

What changes have you been wanting to make and have resisted because of the whole chaos and fear of the COVID situation?  My friends, the world is opening up.  Millions of people are being vaccinated and it’s time.

What do I mean by it’s time?  I mean it’s time to take back your Freedom to explore again.  It’s time to raise your confidence and get out of the house and visit people you have not seen in over a year.  Some of you have been diligent about staying away and I honor your decision to do so and now it’s time to make a change. It’s time to start living again.  It’s time to unlock your cage and explore.

I mean, come on. Haven’t you missed your family? ZOOM has been great, but it’s not the real deal.  As the great Aretha Franklin sang, “ there ain’t nothing like the real thing baby”. There is absolutely nothing like the Real Thing. You know that deep connection you get when you see someone you have not seen in a long time… and then you get to hug someone.  The feeling of love and joy you feel when you see your parents or your children or grandchildren or friends.  Your heart feels full.  You feel a sense of relief and then the tears may flow. This is what you need. 

I witnessed this first hand last week while traveling to see my family.  The excitement, elation, laughter and joy that I witnessed as families came together.  All of this was happening at the airport.  People were screaming and dancing in the streets.  It was a beautiful sight to witness and it touched my heart.

Isn’t it time for you to feel that too?  Don’t you want to experience that joy again?

We have all experienced enough negativity in the last year.  We have all had family members become ill and we even lost some loved ones.  It’s been a very difficult time and here is what I know.  You must take that first step and have the confidence to step out again.  You have to leave heavy things behind so you can carry better things forward. Get out and explore.  I am encouraging you to be brave.

Why are we so resistant to change?  Human psychologists state there are 4 barriers to change.

The first of course being Fear. We all have lived through this one, myself included.  It’s time to summon up the courage to break through our fears and step out again.  Fear or faith? You get to choose.  I encourage you to choose faith in yourself.  Feel the fear and do it anyway.

The second barrier to change is the “What if Game” we play.  What if I go out and get sick.  What if the others in the world are not practicing good hygiene.  What if someone in the family gets ill?  What if I start this new diet and it doesn’t work?  What if I am nice to my partner and he doesn’t reciprocate?  Let’s flip it around to the positive aspects of what if.  For example, what if I appreciate my partner and he is so sweet to me.  What if I eat healthy and my body and mind feel better.  What if I visit my family and we experience so much fun, love and joy?  Focus on the positive aspects of the what if game. 

The third barrier to change is the Label barrier.  I know many of you may have been laid off or been demoted or had to change jobs.  So, what if you don’t have the label of a fancy title any more.  Instead of getting stuck on the label of who you were, ask yourself these 3 questions. 

• What are my core competencies and how can my competencies and skills serve someone else?
• Where do I find value in life, and where do I want to spend time?
• How do I amplify my existing talents and be more useful to others?
• What classes, coaches, or workshops are available to me right now that will support my growth?

Then give yourself your own title.  I am the President and CEO of me, myself and I.  Then start acting like the title again.  It’s time for a change my friends. Hey, go get yourself some business cards made with a fancy title and carry them with you all the time.  Every time you see it, touch it, and feel it, your brain will automatically perk up, sending positive brain signals throughout your body.  It’s a quick and easy brain hack.  Time for a change my friends.

The fourth barrier to change is one of my favorites and it’s a lack of Focus. We all suffer from it at some point and we have to develop the routines to keep us on track. Focus is simply having a greater impact on fewer things in your life.

My friends, start to focus on fewer things and what you want to change in your life and ask yourself these questions.

• Where might I fail in order to maximize my chances of winning and how can I enhance my ability to win each day?
• What is imperative? What do I absolutely have to do to succeed today?
• What is the very first thing I need to do? When do I need to get it done? Focus on that first thing and don’t stop until it gets done. This is a tough one so you will need to practice a bit to make it a habit and then it becomes part of your daily routine.

Establish your ABC priorities first thing in the morning so you can focus on the needle movers for your personal and professional life.

The older I get, the wiser I get and here is what I have learned in my own personal journey.  The more open and resilient I am to change, the more I experience fun and joy in my life. I have met and continue to meet some incredible people on my journey. 

It’s time my friends to start living in a big way.

This week, really think about the small changes you want to make in your life.  Schedule your first family visit.  Schedule your first visit to the newly opened gym.  If your big way is simply to get out and have dinner or coffee with a friend, I applaud you for taking that first step.  Time for a change.  

You will be excited as you plan it and create a new change for yourself. 

That’s it my friends.  I hope you received some value in today’s episode and I would love it if you would share my blog and podcast with your friends and family.   We all need some encouraging every day. 

If you would like to schedule a free one on one free coaching assessment, simply go to my website www.CoachingwithMaria.com and schedule a confidential one on one appointment. How great would it be if you had a personal coach encouraging you every day?

Until next time, stay focused, stay positive and continue to find new ways of having fun and

NO MATTER WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO BE, DO or HAVE do it with passion.