Sunday 28 January 2018

THERE'S NO GOING BACK!

CopyrightCharleyJai
Did you start the year as you mean to live through it? Are you well on your way to achieve your goal [s] over the coming months? No matter what stage you're at, know that as long as you continue to make a dedicated and conscious effort, you're doing great!

Starting something new, or taking on a fresh challenge isn't likely to be easy and that, my friends, is exactly why doing so is greatly rewarding. Staying on track is about 2 things: [a] how much you truly want to succeed and [b] the energy you carry around with you.

Between September 2016 and October 2017 I was talking quite a good 'game', but, in my opinion, I wasn't making progress in the way I had wanted to and I was also feeling quite low a lot of the time. By November 2017 I literally snapped out of what was blatantly self pity and took responsibility for everything I labelled as 'being the reasons' for my unpleasant mood. I decided to fix up, real talk!
CopyrightCharleyJai

"There's no going back", I told myself, "to change anything that has happened, so, you better start where you are, with whatever you have, right now and plan a different ending to the one you're likely to meet if you stay in your misery". 

I turned things around for myself, by choice, with support from family, friends and a deep determination to refocus and get back on track. I invested in what I wanted after taking the time to understand why I wanted the things I had chosen to pursue and I built upon those investments daily. Doing so meant that I secured a new opportunity before Christmas [something I had added to my vision board for 2018], I sorted my home improvements [I'm no DIY Queen, but, I did a good job if I do say so myself, lol] and, most importantly, I remained open to exploring my emotions and allowing space for vulnerability realising this would aid my personal growth in a very positive way.

CopyrightCharleyJai
Folks, at times, we already know that life will be difficult. Those curve balls are forever on standby. Get a grip on who you are, what you stand for and why you do what you do. Know and understand the motivation behind your every move and be honest when you talk to yourself about those moves. 

None of us can go back and start again, but, we have now; this very moment, with which we can do anything. It's never too late to get back on track. Don't give up on yourself. You deserve to be here, you deserve amazing things, you deserve to prove to yourself that you're a winner. You deserve to achieve your definition of success.

Thanks for reading.
PREVIOUS POST - The Best Way to End January
[An audio version can be found here].

Random fact > I loathe being asked the questions, "what are you up to?" and "what are you doing with yourself these days?" Instantly puts me off from wanting to have a conversation with someone. I think asking, "how are you?" is a much better way to start a convo.

Sunday 21 January 2018

THE BEST WAY TO END JANUARY 2018!

For me, January is very much a continuation of December. A month of love and light with a bit of a festive vibe. So, it's all about spending more time with loved ones and planning [as much as you can] for the year ahead - strategies for achieving your goals, the occasional outing, holidays, etc. I also think January is a great month for having some time to yourself - to chill, reflect, be with nature, or catch up on the sleep you gave up to attend the Christmas parties and shenanigans you [may have] indulged in!
CopyrightCharleyJai
You've saved some coins having taken part in Dry January, right? You haven't over exerted yourself by partying too hard; having late, or endless nights either, yes? Well, that means, you have more than enough energy and a little bit of cash to see family and friends during the last weekend of this month. Take the opportunity to celebrate something you, or they, have achieved in recent months / weeks. It doesn't matter how small you may consider your achievements to be - celebrate and give thanks!

I cannot wait to see my lot, especially my family! We all have so much to be thankful for as we each started the new year in a very good way for which I am incredibly grateful!

CopyrightCharleyJai
I've arranged to spend quality time with both my family and closest friends towards the end of the month and it will be hearty grub and fun times all around as we make further plans for getting together throughout this year. It doesn't get more positive and uplifting than that!

For those of you who may not have any family or friends, try pushing yourself to find the strength to go out and socialise; network, thus meeting new people and cultivating fresh relationships. I know it isn't easy, I know, but, It is possible - see how here.
CopyrightCharleyJai

If you do have your loved ones within reach, however you don't believe you've any reasons to be joyful, pause for a moment to consider just how much worse life could actually be for you and start with the fact that you are alive and there are people in the world who care about you, praise God! Such things are definitely worth celebrating!

I think I may have said this to you many times before, but, just in case you need a reminder: It is not about what you are faced with. It's all about how you choose to deal with it that can and usually does make all the difference. Wallow for a bit, if you must, but, make sure you don't stay down. Get up, dust off your ill vibe, call a loved one and arrange to meet them before the month is done! Go!

Thanks for reading.
PREVIOUS POST - What Life is Too Short For...
[An audio version can be found here].

Random fact > My least favourite colour is black yet most of my clothing is in this colour. I wear black jeggings almost every day!! I have way too many pairs!!!!

Sunday 14 January 2018

WHAT LIFE IS TOO SHORT FOR...

Nobody can live forever and your time is limited. There is nothing in this world that will remain indefinitely and that is why, within reason, in accordance to the law wherever you reside, you should go after everything you want for yourself based entirely on your truth and not outside influences, especially those which are obviously negative.

Many of us, if we haven't already, will, at some point, settle. For love, friendship, a job / career, material things, or a fleeting opportunity, perhaps, but, eventually, in one way or another, too many will make the choice to quit trying to achieve their dreams and accept anything 'fairly decent' that doesn't even tick one of their previously super important, must-have boxes. 

Why? Well, life is tiring. It's either not enough, or too much, but, rarely is it 'on the money', so to speak and, for some people, the never ending struggle to succeed can become a battle they lose the strength and will to keep fighting. Here's the thing though: I'm almost certain that choosing to make do with the cards you're dealt is far more draining mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually, not to mention forever unsatsfying, than if you keep pushing for what it is you truly want, and one of the best ways to do that is to take responsibility for [and control of] your choices.

FAMILY GOALS
You won't always get along with your relatives and that's normal [for us imperfect humans], however, you don't have to be about the problems. You can be the one responsible for keeping the peace and not adding to any heated situations by controlling what you say and do. e.g.I don't have the best relationship with a particular relative and instead of arguing about anything, I simply choose to remain respectful, polite and positively contribute towards our relationship because, life is too short for family feuds.

FRIENDSHIP GOALS
You won't be in sync with your friends 24/7. There will be disagreements, fallouts, distance, etc. However, there will also be room for conversation and choosing to calmly discuss your differences is a far better way to maintain the friendship. e.g. I have a friend with whom I very rarely see eye to eye. I love him and think the world of him [I'm not sure he even knows this so, I actually need to make that clear], but, we're often on different pages [owing to a number of factors] and that can lead to upset which then creates tension. However, taking some time out to evaluate our friendship and reflect on my standards, as well as my expectations and then adjusting them slightly, realising they were a tad high, real talk, means we now get on much better! Instead of getting angry [like I use to] and spitting venom at him, whenever we have a dispute, I breathe [literally], pause for a moment to consider his feelings and his perspective and then I calmly share my reasons for why I disagree with him and guess what? He now does the same and we're a lot better as a result because, life is too short to lose friends over nonsense. 

PARTNERSHIP GOALS
You won't have it be romantic, adventurous, fun and sexy all the time, but, here's the thing: that is actually the beauty of growing together; learning what makes each other tick in different ways and at new stages of the relationship. e.g. My ex never understood what I meant when I said, "I have my life, you have yours and then we have one together". Somewhat shockingly, I had to explain that I believed it was healthier for us not to be joined at the hip; to allow one another the space to do things separately, which would likely help us to not take one another for granted and to also remain excited for when we do see each other because, life is too short to become complacent. 
CopyrightCharleyJai
Not taking myself too seriously - bathroom selfie

PROFESSIONAL GOALS
You won't immediately achieve all that you set out to because, we all need to take on the challenge of a few hurdles in order to realise and then appreciate just how strong we are and also how well equipped we are to handle everything that comes our way. However, your success depends entirely on how you choose to respond when things don't go the way you'd like them to. e.g.I once applied for a job that was advertised as being exactly what I was looking for. I was offered the position and once I started realised it was nothing at all like I had been told by the employer. I decided to seek out and make the most of any opportunity to get ahead professionally and to learn from my colleagues; making the best of a not so great situation because, life is too short to be unhappy at work.

LIFE GOALS
You won't like, or get on with everyone you meet. Fact! There will be personality clashes, or traits that irk you, or it may just be that you don't like the vibe someone walks with and that really is okay. However, the best way to deal with such people [if you have to be around them] is to limit your contact with them, to not take them too seriously [or yourself for that matter] where your dislike for them is concerned, to remain courteous and respectful and don't entertain anything that doesn't sit right with you [which can be applied to every other area of your life] because, life is too short to give your time, or energy to anyone, or anything that doesn't add value to you! 

No matter what, don't box yourself in and try not to be influenced, or swayed by others. Remember, as I have told you before, you are worthy of greatness, but, in order to achieve that, you have to be all in when it comes to taking risks as well as making choices that others may frown upon. 

As long as you know, 1000%, that you are being / doing the best you can possibly be / do for yourself and not to impress, or keep up with everyone else, you're winning!

Be confident in all that you are and all that you stand for / represent. You have a right to remain unique. I mean, nobody wants to be a clone do they? Life is definitely too short for that! LOL!! x

Thanks for reading.
PREVIOUS POST - How To Achieve Your New Year Resolutions 
[An audio version can be found here].

Random fact > I am not one for extravagance. I'd always choose to do something chilled over an insanely expensive outing! Yes - I'm also that person who will check if I can buy my chosen product from Lidl, or Aldi before going anywhere else!

Sunday 7 January 2018

HOW TO ACHIEVE YOUR NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

Happy New Year! This is my first blog post of 2018 and, I must say, it's good to be back on it. I hope you each enjoyed Christmas [however you chose to spend it] and had a fabulous new year celebration. For me, it was a real delight; I absolutely loved it! I'm super chuffed that I finally had the opportunity to experience Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, London.... 
Winter Wonderland, Magical Ice Kingdom
CopyrightCharleyJai
CopyrightCharleyJai
CopyrightCharleyJai
... and I'm grateful to my beautiful auntie Rita, who organised a wonderful Christmas extravaganza including all things cosy, toasty, yummy and, of course, festive. I am also very thankful to my gorgeous family for the gifts they bought me, all of which I appreciate!
CopyrightCharleyJai
CopyrightCharleyJai
CopyrightCharleyJai
CopyrightCharleyJai
I'm not one to rave, or seek out any [typically overpriced] event just to see in a new year [or for anything actually], so, on 31st December, I joined my immediate family again for a yummy feast, courtesy of my mother, then returned home to tick off my final list for 2017 - a few home related bits and bobs I was determined to get done before midnight - which I completed!

Now that the festive season is done, it is the season of new year resolutions and a lot of people seem to fall off the waggon before we see mid January! So, I am hoping these tips will help you to stay on track and see your resolution [s] through until December 2018. Remember, the year will zoom by; the days are never as long as you think!

Make sure your goals are realistic and fit within your means.
Do not concern yourself with what, or how, others are doing.
Remove the things and people who continue to hold you back!
Don't spread yourself thin - fewer targets are easier to achieve.
Limit distractions as they're likely to cause you to procrastinate.
You are in your own lane and, each time you get up, you're winning.
Keep your resolutions to yourself - additional pressure isn't necessary.
Make sure you only share on social media things aligned with your ambitions.
Put your phone on silent [not vibrate] during the hours when you're on the grind.
Find what keeps you motivated, inspired and driven then fill your home with that!! 
Start as you mean to go - have an action plan for each goal and stick them on the wall.

You've got this and you can do it! Focus on yourself first.

Thanks for reading.
PREVIOUS POST - I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD SURVIVE...

Random fact > I have 2 calendars in use at the same time throughout each year. One on the wall to mark key events and a desk calendar for reference purposes. Too much? Lol!

Ps. If you've not read my previous entry the random fact may not make any sense!