Chasing The Whats Next

Are you an adrenaline junkie who is looking for balance? I call people who achieve success, but yet also have a balance in life - Activators.

However, a lot of times, as Activators, we become so entrenched in the cycle of doing, fearful that we revert back to our habits as Procrastinators. To keep our momentum going, we're chasing the "what's next", losing sight of the fact that a true Activator understands how she/he must recharge her/his batteries. So, what are the telltale signs of someone's who chases the "what's next"? · Highly focused on to-do's and has lost sight of what motivates and is important to her/him.

· Can't sit still for more than fifteen minutes without doing anything (yes, this includes watching TV).

· Consistently wakes up during the night and processes internally which tasks need to be completed the next day, next week, etc.

· Often doesn't take the time to enjoy the rewards of her/his accomplishments.

· Doesn't necessary ever obtain any internal satisfaction from successes or having met a goal.

In working with clients, I have found the following steps extremely helpful in helping Activators not turn into Adrenaline Junkies:

1. Keep an active reminder of what motivates you internally and what is important to you.

· Examples:

- Life's Mission Statement (for more info go to: http://www.mmclifestylecoaching.com).

- Picture of your family with what this image represents to you on back of the picture.

- Write down a poem, prayer or quote that you feel speaks to you and review once a day.

2. Carve out daily reflection time and prayer time, if you're spiritually-motivated.

· What do I hear you saying? "I don't have the time. Or: My mind keeps on chattering. Or: It just feels weird." Believe me ? all bad excuses? You'll feel better once you integrate this into your daily habits. Here's how to start:

- Start off with five minutes in the morning for both prayer and quiet reflection time. Just sit there and allow your thoughts to flow. This will improve as you continue from day-to-day? It's just like exercise, you'll feel better for doing it!

3. Stop and reward yourself at least once a month for having met your goals.

· This is an important step often forgotten when achieving life's successes. Please take the time every month to review how much progress you've made. Most people typically look at all the things they feel they haven't completed. However, instead look at all the things you have achieved, acknowledge yourself and set up time for a reward. The reward doesn't necessarily have to be material. How about just praising yourself and letting the good feeling carry forward in your interaction with others? Or just setting aside "Me Time" and not doing absolutely anything? Another fun one is to pull out the old photo albums and enjoy your memories! I bet you can come up with a good list on your own, too?

4. Tell yourself that the present IS perfect.

· Adrenaline junkies are typically so focused on the future versus appreciating what's currently in their lives. This often creates a vicious cycle, which is hard to break out of. So, when you feel like your current achievements aren't enough, please take the time to reflect on how blessed you are at the moment. It's also important to remember that you can't change other people or situations. You can control only who you are. If you become so focused on the "What's Next" and what you want for the future, you'll never receive joy and contentment from what is right in front of you.

So,leap to Walking with Grace in the Present versus Chasing The What's Next.

In The News:


St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Dog used as metaphor for happiness in 'Marley & Me'
St. Louis Post-Dispatch,  United States - 8 hours ago
"That's what I wanted the movie to capture, and that's why the dog is such a beautiful metaphor for happiness," Frankel said. "Dogs don't look forward, ...

Christmas Happiness Fund important in tough times
Salisbury Post, NC - 17 hours ago
That's where Christmas Happiness can help. This will make the 57th year the fund — cosponsored by the Salisbury Post and the Rowan County Department of ...
Foster Children's Fund benefits via Love Enough to Share Burlington Times News
all 2 news articles

7 Steps To Happiness For This Holiday Season
WebWire (press release), GA - Dec 1, 2008
(Old Lyme, CT December 1,2008) Happiness is not as hard to find if one applies effort and acceptance of the joy of the "simple" things in our everyday life. ...

If happiness is so important to most of us, why are we so glum?
Insight News, MN - 3 hours ago
By Julie Desmond According to a study entitled "What Makes a Life Good," Americans consider happiness more important to them than money, moral goodness, ...

How to give the gift of happiness
abc7news.com, CA - 10 hours ago
New research shows if you give someone a life experience - there will be more happiness for more people and for a longer period of time. ...

Happiness lessons 'having little impact'
Times Online, UK - 7 hours ago
All pupils will receive lessons in emotional skills and happiness by 2011 under plans brought in by Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary. ...

Sydney Morning Herald

OPINION: Ignorant pigs stampede sale
Colorado Springs Gazette, CO - Dec 1, 2008
He had the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and those were taken by members of an ignorant, immoral mob. RC Hoiles - the late, ...
Video: Police: Crowd at Wal-Mart 'recipe for Disaster' AssociatedPress
How the Wal-Mart Stampede Made a Long Holiday Season Longer Huffington Post
Black Friday reveals unfortunate truths UNLV The Rebel Yell
Tampabay.com - Elmira Star-Gazetteall 2,741 news articles

Good grief!
Buffalo News,  United States - 13 hours ago
He’s the artist who brought happiness to so many as the world’s most popular cartoonist. He’s the creator of Snoopy, the incarnation of joy in beagle form ...

Happiness in Bhutan
INTHEFRAY Magazine - 21 hours ago
Happiness radiated from weather-beaten faces, with their windburned cheeks and smiles that showed teeth stained red from betel nut addiction. ...

TEDDY SCARES up some haunted holiday happiness
FANGORIA - 13 hours ago
If Barbie and Tickle-Me Elmo are too tame for your taste, don’t fret—Applehead Factory has the perfect remedy for you. “Teddy Scares” and “Tofu the Vegan ...
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