Stop Putting it Off!

It has been a fun and enjoyable week running two Mental Resilience Masterclasses on behalf of Live and Learn in Bridlington and Oxford. The staff who attended these sessions were brilliant and the interaction and energy levels were really excellent.

It is a joy to work with various organisations across the UK to share powerful techniques with staff to help improve their lives. The feedback I am receiving is really encouraging and it gives me the impetus to drive me forward.

An exciting week ahead

This coming week I am back in Bridlington to run another Mental Resilience Masterclass and then I am running some one-hour Mental Resilience Talks for an Academy in Leeds.

I came across this article which made me think:

Stop putting it off

“In a 1985 newspaper essay, Anne Wells wrote: ‘My brother-in-law opened my sister’s bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package.

It was an exquisite silk handmade slip; the price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached. “Jan bought this the first time we went to New York…eight or nine years ago,” [he said].

“She never wore it; she was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is the occasion.” He put the slip on the bed with the other clothes we were taking – to the mortician.

Then he turned to me, “Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion!”’ Those words changed Anne Wells’ life. She continued: ‘I’m not saving anything anymore.

Now we use our good china…for every special occasion – like losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom. “Someday” and “one of these days” are fighting a losing battle to stay in my vocabulary.

If it’s worth seeing, hearing, or doing, I want to see, hear, and do it now. I’m trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and lustre to our lives.

And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself this is a special occasion.’ Makes you think, doesn’t it? Makes you want to drain the last ounce of joy out of every day and break free from the cement of procrastination that whispers, ‘You can do it later.’

Wise up! Forgive that offence, tell that person you love them, take that trip, go back to school. Decide today to do the thing you’ve been putting off.”

I changed the way I look at life 3 years ago

Three years ago, I had a near fatal car accident. I was stationary on the outside lane of a dual carriageway in roadworks when I was hit from behind by a car travelling at 70 mph. The impact was huge, and they had to cut me out of the car.

If I had been driving a smaller car, I would be dead. If the car that hit me was a large car or lorry, I would be dead. As they cut the roof off my car, I was thankful to be alive. It took me months to fully recover from this incident.

I am blessed to still be here

During my recovery I had a realisation of how close I came to death. This had a huge impact on me and I since then I take time to smell the roses, to really enjoy the small things which we take for granted. I wake up and really appreciate the fact I am alive.

I look at the trees and plants as I drive down the motorway in awe and really feel the joy of being alive. I take a moment as I sit typing on my laptop to simply appreciate writing this blog and enjoying a pot of tea. I do these things many times each day.

Often, I will just do something simple with my wife Julie just to enjoy the moment. I don’t wait for the weekend or a holiday to be happy – I take time to create these moments every day.

Thoughts for the week

1. Are you happy to be alive?
2. None of us know how long we have to live.
3. We can’t guarantee that we will see tomorrow.
4. This week really take time to appreciate the little things.
5. Stop several times each day and just take the beauty in.

Do reply to this blog if you have had a life changing moment or if you like the things I am speaking about this week as it would be great to hear from you.

Well that’s it for this week have a wonderful weekend and keep believing.

Warm regards

John

Off the Wall – How to Develop World Class Mental Resilience available HERE
http://www.jdmindcoach.co.uk/product/off-the-wall-how-to-develop-world-class-mental-resilience/ (Special offer. Put in code 10POUND when prompted to receive a signed copy for £10 including postage and packing – UK only)