The year kicked off to a great start and then ‘Life Happened!’

Is that how it seems for you too? It’s July already and ‘The Plan’ seems to have flown out of the window. Sometimes as a coach, I’m called upon to put my own knowledge, advice and skills to full force – in my own life!

Today I thought I’d share some of the challenges the last 6 months have held for me personally – and look at the ‘advice’ I gave myself, in the hope it might help others with their transitions and challenges too.

The Challenges

 For me the ‘Life Happened’ bit over the last 6 months looks like this:

1. Buy/Sell

I sold a rural property with two houses, stock and several sheds to pack up – and disposed of the surplus as we downsized to shared accommodation. Went looking seriously for somewhere to live in a new region (beautiful Nelson); bought just before Christmas and organised renovations to accommodate the new living situation.

2. Occasions/Celebrations/Events

Christmas, birthday, wedding, overseas family visitors, holidays and overseas travel – all these rolled into 3 months!

3. Change

Change of location, renovation/building, new networks and few resources (as in support in our new location) – changing all the things we might take for granted.

4. In sickness and in health

Secondary tumours discovered in aged parent just a week from moving; treatment out-of-town required; no support network in new location yet established; significant virus lays her very low on return.

5. All systems go

Despite everything, life goes on: a business to run; people to see; income to maintain.

6. Challenges

Challenges from every direction that rattle every fibre of your body collide: the test of ‘walking one’s talk’ is put to the test!

The Solutions

So, what did I do to deal with these challenges? Here are 6 key solutions I found helpful:

1. Plan

Plan, sometimes just one step at a time – and prioritise! Most of us are familiar with the question ‘How do you eat an elephant?’ (one bite at a time) but we often fail to apply this lesson in our own lives. Break down your challenges into ‘bite sized’ plans to deal with them, and even the seemingly insurmountable can be overcome. You will have to prioritise the order you approach things, bearing in mind time, energy and other commitments, in order to be successful.

2. Rewards

Create breaks with rewards. Change your ‘state’ – for example, visit a friend, go for a walk on the beach, watch a movie that makes you laugh. Perhaps find some inspirational, easy-to-read books (you might try Louise Hay’s “I can do it” or Dr Chantel Hoftsee’s “Mindfulness on the run” etc) and magazines like Wild Tomato, Mindfood and those that represent your topics of interest and hobbies. Take an outing… Enjoy a journey… Go to your favourite café and have a treat!

3. Exercise

Start (or continue making time for) exercising. Take a walk in the sunshine, work up a sweat! Be physical – paint a fence, dig a garden, mow your lawns, grub out weeds, empty a drawer or cupboard or wardrobe and re-organise it. In short, engage in some mindless activities to give your busy mind some time-out. Seeing something tangible physically completed can also be very satisfying.

4. Eat well

Eat well – keep it simple so you do eat, and that you do eat right. Find a cookbook that inspires wellness (Sarah Wilson’s “I Quit Sugar” might help you create a healthy self-discipline), make pasta out of vegetables (try some of Pete Evans’ recipes for this) and check out Whole30.com for getting structure back into your life. Drink lots of water (even better if it’s ionized). Because, after all we are what we eat (and think.)

5. Go visiting

Make time for friends. Ask friends for help and make easy-to-do commitments. Be supportive to others – it’s a great distraction from one’s own dilemma’s. (Resource yourself.)

6. Be positive

Watch your thoughts and replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations. You might find Louise Hay cards useful – or Don Miguel Ruiz, Suze Orman and others…) Educate yourself, and make sure you have access to positive, helpful information and tools to deal with your circumstances (whether they be financial, relationship-related, or money troubles).

Be sure to factor in being kind to oneself! Reach out to friends, books, the world around you and allow yourself time to replenish, especially when you think you can least afford to!

This is my experience and for now, it is the best road for me…

What is your experience, and what gets you back on track and moving forward?

If you’d like some support moving through a transition, I’d love to help. Just pick up the phone, or drop me an email. You never have to ‘go it alone’.

Until next time,

Jane