by Debbie Rodrigues | Jun 4, 2018 | Challenge, Planning
Discover what I did to create space to make better decisions with journaling when I reached a crossroads in my life. Learn how to stop procrastinating and get more done one day at a time.
The year was 2000, and I was 25 years-old.
After the end of a long relationship, I decided it was time for me to finally go after my childhood dream of studying abroad.
I had started working full-time right after finishing high-school and saved all the money I could.
No parties, no shopping, no trips, nothing.
It wasn’t always a comfortable price to pay, but it was the only way to afford attending college in a foreign country.
When the opportunity came, however, I felt uncertainty. I was about to embark on one of the biggest endeavors of my life.
I was about to deplete the savings I had sacrificed for. And, my loved ones weren’t entirely on board. They felt like I was “abandoning” them – at least for the next few years.
How could I move forward mindfully without regretting it later?
Writing it all out
I couldn’t talk to anyone about my reservations because no one close to me was impartial.
The solution was to write everything I had in my head.
I’ve always found it easier to brainstorm with a piece of paper and a pen in my hands anyways.
It was a huge step in my life, and there was a lot at stake personally and financially.
Even though my home in Brazil would always be there, it was hard to take the plunge and leave.
So, I grabbed an old notebook and started right away.
The process
I took me weeks to get everything out of my head.
Mainly because whenever I wrote about one pro, a couple of cons came up. And the other way around.
Many times, I felt overwhelmed and scared of the Pandora box I had created for myself.
But my writing exercise forced me to think about solutions too.
Slowly, the fear of taking risks made room for certainties.
I formulated a plan A and B as well as C, D, and E.
No matter what I wrote out, I couldn’t anticipate all of the challenges I might face.
But my brainstorming gave me the tools I needed.
Create space with journaling
If you also reached a crossroads, it’s time to make room in your mind to make better decisions.
Grab your favorite journal and let it all out.
Begin by writing about the tasks, projects, and dreams you want for yourself.
Some of the questions you can answer are:
- What are these projects?
- Why are they important?
- How will they impact you and your life?
- What can go wrong?
- How can you fix potential problems?
- Who’s your support system?
- What would make you confident about your choice?
Use these questions to get unnecessary worries out of the way.
Stop wasting your time and energy and start making conscious decisions that will bring you closer to your goals.
Find out what steps to follow next on the 52-Week Challenge For A More Productive You.
Get all the support, motivation, and accountability you’ll need to create space in your life for the things that truly matter.
Before you go
Can you answer the following question in the comments below, please?
Have you ever used a journal to brainstorm?
by Debbie Rodrigues | May 28, 2018 | Challenge, Productivity
It’s possible to be more successful without losing your soul. Learn these realistic tips that will blow your mind and help you change your approach.
We all want to be successful in our own way. Whether it’s financial freedom, retirement at a certain age, or a particular lifestyle, we have a vision of what we want for ourselves.
All too often people attribute their lack of success to there not being enough hours in a day.
We believe the only way to achieve our dreams is to work around the clock.
There’s no denying it – every goal worth achieving takes hard work, dedication, and patience. But self-actualization should not come at the cost of who you are.
How many people gave up their dreams because they feared they couldn’t combine them with raising a family?
It may not be obvious, but I’m here to tell you that it is possible to be more successful without losing your soul.
And I’ll show you exactly what you need to do to get started.
Finding balance for success
We’ve already talked about the relationship between goals and success.
Unless we know where we’re going, we can’t get anywhere.
So if you haven’t done it yet, set meaningful goals for yourself before taking any other step.
Once you have mindfully chosen your goals, you’ll have to leave your comfort zone to get things done.
But how can you balance your current responsibilities with the new ones AND still have a life you enjoy living?
It makes no sense to work your back off to achieve something but not be able to enjoy it afterward.
The solution is to balance. To live a meaningful and driven life, you must manage your time and investments to avoid unnecessary frustrations as you progress.
Success without losing your soul
A job position, a house, or a car don’t make someone successful.
It’s the feeling of accomplishment and the lifestyle they provide.
That’s why it makes no sense to “kill” yourself achieving them. You want to be able to enjoy them fully once they become yours.
For that you need to:
- have a plan
- be prepared
- be flexible
Have a plan
With your goal in mind, define your next steps:
- What’s the due date?
- What needs to happen?
- How you’ll make it happen?
- What do you have to do?
- Who will be with you?
- What are your milestones?
Choose a tool to keep track of your progress.
My favorite ones are:
Pick one, create your plan, and got for it.
Be prepared
I don’t want to be a party-pooper, but things won’t always go according to plan.
My last vacation was a great example of that.
Yet, it doesn’t mean you can’t make it.
Have a “contingency” plan if things go wrong.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a plan B, C, or any other letter of the alphabet.
You may never need your spare tire, but you still keep it in the trunk of your car, don’t you?
By being prepared, you give yourself room to adapt your original plan whenever necessary without the cost of your success.
Which leads us to our next step…
Be flexible
Stubbornness can get in the way of achieving your goal and makes you less adaptable when there are setbacks.
Your plan is a means. What truly matters is the end result.
Don’t get so stuck with the form that you forget the content.
Both, together, are going to guide you to the desired outcome.
If you feel that a different approach can help you out, why not giving it a try?
There’s absolutely no need to sweat about that.
Flexibility is also great to boost your productivity.
Take it as a win-win situation.
Feeling successful
Your soul is the essence of who you are. It’s your values and everything else that matters the most to you.
Success at the compromise of your soul isn’t worth it.
What’s the fun of:
- having a top job when it doesn’t allow you to spend time with your family?
- having a huge house if you lost contact with your friends and those you’d like to invite over?
- driving a supercar out of boredom because you don’t know what else to do with your time?
Dream big! Work to achieve the success you deserve for your work and dedication. But prioritize your soul and your success.
By using the steps of this post, you will avoid losing your soul in the process of attaining success.
For more tips on how to create space in your schedule for the things you love, join the 52-Week Challenge For A More Productive You.
Get all the information, support, and motivation you need to become a better version of yourself one day at a time.
Before you go
Can you answer the following question in the comments below, please?
Do you feel overwhelmed by the idea of working extra to achieve your goals?
*Some links are affiliates. If you choose to buy anything from them, I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read full disclaimer here. Thank you for your support!
by Debbie Rodrigues | May 21, 2018 | Challenge, Health and Wellness
If you want to be more successful, you need to learn how to stop complaining. Discover how your daily journal entries can help you accomplish that.
Don’t ask what the trigger was, but around the end of 2017, a person very dear to me started nagging all the time.
It got to the point every time her name showed on my caller ID, I got tense.
I wanted to be supportive, but I didn’t want to listen to an hour-long conversation about everything wrong in the world.
As I started avoiding my friend more, I began to realize I was exhibiting some of those same whiny, unappreciative traits.
Aggressive drivers “made me” nag. The annoying rainy weather was always brought up in conversations. Noisy neighbors got me grumble.
I had to do something about it!
While it sounds like an overwhelming mission, little by little, we all can cut down complaints.
And the tool I’ve been using for that isn’t anything else than my journal.
This was my realization
As I noticed my friend complain more and more, I realized I had become a complainer too!
As it started to bother me, I realized that more and more people were on the same path too.
Complaining doesn’t make you a “bad” person, however, it’s a major waste of energy.
And, it doesn’t accomplish anything either.
Keep in mind that it is excellent to:
- share our struggles with the intention of brainstorming for a solution
Nagging for the sake of nagging, on the other hand, doesn’t change a thing!
We end up focusing more on the issues themselves instead of trying to find an answer. It happens out of the need of sympathy of others or simply habit.
I had become this kind of person.
To find out if you’re also on the same track, I have three ways to help you out.
That feeling
One day you wake up in the morning, and you realize that most of your conversations have been complaints.
Whether or not you initiated them, you fall into the trap comparing how miserable your and your acquaintances’ lives are.
It isn’t a pleasant discovery, but there’s absolutely no reason to feel guilty about it.
Someone else’s behavior
For whatever the reason, it rings you the bell that a friend of yours does nothing but nag.
The subjects may vary:
Their conversations go around things they can’t control, yet, they complain anyway.
This was my wake-up call!
Someone calls you a “complainer”
This is probably the most confronting one of all.
No one likes to hear anything negative about themselves.
Mainly when you feel all you were doing was sharing.
But your perception of sharing isn’t necessarily the same of those around you.
If that’s your case, be thankful for someone showing you the light at the end of the tunnel.
Now it’s time for action!
The solution
Whatever your situation, know that you can always choose to keep on doing what you’ve been doing or make a change. Needless to say, I recommend the latter.
After all, complaining is nothing bad a habit.
It’s a habit that sucks up your energy.
It also shifts your focus away from being proactive and looking for solutions to a passive approach to your life.
First of all, don’t let guilt stop you from taking action.
Grab your journal and start your daily review:
- What things did you complain about throughout the day?
- What happened? Be as detailed as possible.
- Why did it bother you so much?
- Could you have solved or mitigated it?
- Let’s be honest, did complaining help you anyway?
Day after day, you’ll notice you have more energy. It also becomes easier to focus since you have fewer distractions. As a result, you’ll find it easier to say goodbye to procrastination.
If you need a hand to stay consistent and motivated to change, come to the 52-Week Challenge For A More Productive You.
Get all the information and support you need to become a better version of yourself one day at a time.
Before you go
Can you answer the following question in the comments below, please?
Do you find yourself complaining on a regular basis?
by Debbie Rodrigues | May 14, 2018 | Challenge, Health and Wellness
While it happens to all of us, find you why you need to keep it real when you are a perfectionist. Learn how I dealt with it recently and get started right away.
You have probably heard about the negative side-effects of perfectionism.
We already know it influences both our professional and personal life.
Maybe, just like me, you make an effort to keep it real most of the time.
But chances are you fall into its trap too.
In fact, it has just happened to me.
Vacation time
After over two years working non-stop, I decided to take a month break in 2018.
I booked a trip to Brazil, my home country, to visit my mom, friends, and mainly, to RELAX.
I bought my ticket for the best time of the year – from mid-April to mid-May.
Fall’s mild weather in Rio is perfect for someone who is more used to overcast weather than basking in the sunshine.
I would be there for Mother’s Day and my birthday (May 12th). It couldn’t be more perfect.
Once my flight was booked, I started rushing through my work. I wanted my business to run on autopilot while I was gone so I could totally relax.
All I wanted was to chill and have some rest!
Reality check
It didn’t take me long to realize I was going to take work with me.
No matter how many hours I worked every single day, it wasn’t enough to cover all my regular responsibilities.
I did everything I could, but it wasn’t enough.
I had to say goodbye to my perfect vacation.
Not only did I bring my work, I faced unexpected challenges too:
- Statutory Holidays,
- unstable Internet,
- needing to travel long distances, and
- too many appointments.
Without being able to execute the way I wanted, stress took over.
This is what happened
Statutory Holidays
One of my first appointments, a visit to my doctor, was delayed because of a Holiday.
In May 2018, three holidays fell around the weekend.
Not only were my appointments delayed, but there were so many people traveling it was impossible to meet with the people I intended to meet with.
Unstable Internet
It took me about two weeks to realize how to make the most out of my mom’s Internet connection.
When there are a lot of people using it at the same time, it is less effective. I had to adjust when I wanted to work around when it was less busy.
As a result, I had to kiss my planned Facebook Lives goodbye which was very disappointing.
Needing to travel long distances
Rio de Janeiro isn’t a small town.
I should have known that very well after living my first 26 years there. But I guess I forgot how it felt.
The time spent going from point A to point B forced me to call off a lot of plans.
Too many appointments
My mom is my number one reason for flying all the way to Brazil.
However, there are also my friends, things I like to do, and places to go.
To make a long story short, I:
- only met a fraction of the people I wanted to see.
- went to CrossFit Volans just 3 times.
- did only one single tour.
With the exception of a couple visits to the mall, I spent most of the time at my mom’s…
… working.
So long, farewell, vacation.
It’s still a work in progress, but find out how I’m dealing with my inner-perfectionist these days.
Getting over it
After my first week, I was ridden with disappointment and frustration.
My expectations of a fun and relaxing time chilling below the tropics went down the drain and I wasn’t happy about it.
My perfect vacation turned into a sunny, but very stressful break.
I reached a point when I was about to have a burnout DURING MY BREAK. 😱
Then and there, I realized I had to do something about it.
First of all, I let go.
I accepted that:
- my videos weren’t going to be edited,
- my blog posts were going to be late,
- Four weeks weren’t enough for everything I wanted to do.
Then, I started to slow down.
If I wanted to at least relax, I had to re-prioritize things differently and accept the fact that my plans needed flexibility.
Finally, I had to forgive myself for my “bad” planning.
Feeling guilty for not having the vacation I had dreamed of wouldn’t change anything.
It’d just make me more stressed.
I’m not going to lie to you and say that, once I came to terms with being more flexible, everything was fine. I still had to remind myself to relax.
I count this as a valuable lesson in managing my perfectionism, though.
It helped me make the most out of what I had instead of complaining and wasting my trip because of the things I couldn’t change.
If you want to learn more ways how you can overcome your perfectionism to develop a fulfilling and meaningful lifestyle, come to the 52-Week Challenge For A More Productive You.
Discover tips and tricks you can apply to your routine to become a better version of yourself one day at a time without feeling overwhelmed.
Before you go
Can you answer the following question in the comments below, please?
How do you deal with the perfectionist in you?
