Vlog: How Do Health Issues Influence Your Decisions?

How do your health issues influence your decisions?  

I came up with a list of areas in life where health issues may play a part in decision making.  Maybe you can relate, or maybe you have other areas of concern and influence that I haven't mentioned here.  Let me know.  I'd love to hear about them.

Home:

• Where to live:  type of structure, apartment, assisted living, house, climate that's best for your allergies, etc.
• Close to doctors/hospitals
• Wheel-chair accessible
• No stairs, one-story, ramps installed
• Security
• Convenient parking

School:

• The major/program you choose
• Location
• Accessibility
• Campus support
• Proximity to doctors/hospital
• Clubs available
• Campus community vibe:  accepting, friendly, helpful, positive

Job:

• Accessibility of the facility/office
• Discrimination
• Convenient location
• Convenient parking
• The vibe you get from the interviewer/staff
• The type of job you want to do:  do you want to help people in the health field, or do you spend enough time in doctor's offices and hospitals already.  There are other ways you can help others, though, so you may want to think about it.

Relationships:

• Friendships:  Who do you connect with?  Who treats you like everyone else?  What about the accessibility to local hangouts and social clubs?  Can you get to where you can meet new people and also hang out with current friends to encourage bonding?What's your attitude toward others?  What are their attitudes toward you?  Do you hang out with people who are different from you and maybe not all that nice just because they are popular?
• Romance:  Do your health issues influence who you marry/partner with?  Do they really "get" you?  Do you get positive vibes from them?  Are they compassionate and understanding?  Do you have the same lifestyle?  Do they have health issues, too, or not?  Do you want kids?  Do they?  Do you share the same hobbies and interests?

Activities:

• What sports do you like?  Is that connected to your health issues
• What about the books that you read?
• Games you play?
• Where you travel, or if you travel at all?
• Where you go for walks/wheels?
• Accessibility
• Attitude:  Yours and that of others
• Maybe you check things out beforehand to see if you can handle them.  Have a practice run at an activity.  Check out the facilities.
• Do you ask your doctor before you try an activity?

Family:

• Do you want to be near them in case you have a medical emergency and need their assistance?
• Do you want to be far away from them because they have always sheltered you and made you feel like you couldn't do anything on your own?
• Have they fostered your independence?
• How has that influenced your decisions and decision-making skills?

Vlog: Life Happens

Hi!  This vlog post is on all those unexpected things that happen in life to change your course that often make you frustrated.  

• Having to cancel a vacation because you are sick.  
• Having snafus happen that keep you from getting a promotion.  
• Friends calling to change plans, which then seems to send the rest of your day into a tailspin.  

On and on.

But life may happen in an unexpectedly good ways too.  

• You change your mind the last minute and decide to go to a different college and meet the love of your life there.
• You lose out on a job transfer only to find an even better opportunity shortly afterward.
• Your favorite doctor retires and you're thinking "Oh no!."  Yet, the new doctor suggests a surgery that ultimately changes your life for the better.

I also include ways to better handle life change.

What unexpected events happened in your life over the years that either sent your life into a tailspin or were pleasant surprises?  Please share in the comments below or email me at amy@acnlifecoach.com.  Thanks.  Take care.

Vlog: Do You Play the Blame Game?

 Do you play the blame game?  Do you blame others for your health issues?  Do you blame your siblings for being healthy?  Do you blame your peers for leaving you out of activities? Do you blame employers for not giving you a chance?  

I have at various times over the years.  

It doesn't work.  It doesn't get you anywhere.

Take action.  Take responsibility for your self-care.  Be your own advocate.  Provide information.  Let people know what you can and can't do.  Communication is huge.  

So, do you blame others for your health issues, or do you take responsibility for getting out there and doing what needs to be done in order to educate people about your needs and abilities?

I'd love to hear from you.  

The Choice Is Yours

Today's blog post stems from the recent demands made by fast-food workers for higher wages.  

I believe we all have a choice in what we do for a living.  And yes, people should be paid fairly, and given wage hikes based on the quality of their work.  I also tend to agree with one worker who said that when the cost of food, rent, and other necessities go up, employees should get a cost of living raise.  But I also urge people in this position to take a long, hard look at where they find themselves.  They are working in fast-food.  This is where kids often get their first jobs.  Yes, it can be hectic and stressful.  But it is unskilled.  

Do you feel as if you're stuck in a job that you don't like, where you're not treated fairly, or where you just don't feel inspired anymore?  Here are some tips to try that may turn things around.

Improve Your Current Situation:  If you want to improve your job situation but don't feel as if you can leave your current job, do what you can to improve it.  Perk up work by making friends with co-workers, organizing an employee softball team or lunchtime walking meetings, and planning holiday parties.  You could also put a  plant or inspiring painting in your office to cheer it up a bit.  In addition, watch, listen, and learn.  Learn all you can from others in the business.  Be serious about your job.  Work your butt off.  Be the model employee.  Be the go-to employee when things need to be done.  Don't treat it as grunt work, but rather as a learning experience.  Keep your eyes and ears open for any opportunity to learn and advance your career.  

Balance Work and Home Life:  If you're already drowning in work, you may think finding time to spend with family and on hobbies impossible, but think about it.  When you're not at work, what are you doing?  I venture to guess that it has something to do with surfing the Internet, texting, laundry, grabbing fast-food on your way home.  Okay, you need to do laundry and you need to eat.  But, you know that the Internet and texting can be reduced big time.  Although the Internet can provide helpful information at the click of mouse, it can also be a huge time waster.  Cut down your leisure Internet surfing to an hour a day, and there you go--free time!  You can exercise, read,  meditate, cook a healthy meal for dinner, go shopping with a friend, do volunteer work, and something most of us get way too little of--sleep.  Whatever you feel you are presently missing out on, you can most likely fit into your day if you cut down drastically on your Internet and social media time.   Not into social media but still don't seem to have time to relax?  Take note of how you spend your time.  Maybe you watch 2 hours of television each evening, or spend the 30 minutes prior to a teacher's conference waiting around to go to the school.  In that time, you could take a walk,  shoot some baskets with friends, read a chapter or two of your favorite book,  check in on a neighbor, or work on restoring a piece of antique furniture.  Taking time for the things you enjoy can help you feel more content with your life.  

Go to School:  If you aren't getting anywhere in your present field, consider going to school.  This could include going to a local technical school to learn a trade.  Become a welder, pharmacy technician, certified nurse's assistant , or truck driver and the like.  These and other technically skilled jobs require 2 years or less of training, and financial aid is often available for those who qualify.  If you have a certification or degree already but want a change, consider altering or switching careers.  This takes planning, preparation, and discussion with family members who would be affected.  Find out if your employer will help pay for work-related courses.  If you're looking for a total change, look into financial aid.  Many schools, colleges and universities offer financial aid to students to help students with expenses.  You may also qualify for education grants and scholarships through area businesses and organizations.  Don't quit your day job before you have something solid to move on to.  This may mean you'll have to deal with a hectic schedule for awhile, but if it helps you to realize your dreams, it's worth it.  

Remember, you are in control of what you do.  If you aren't happy in your current situation you need to dig deep to find a solution.  Yes, it's great to have the financial and emotional backing of family and friends, but you don't have to have that to make a life change.  What you need is resolve, patience, determination, passion, imagination...and a little spunk!

I'd like to know how you got yourself out of a rut.  What strategies did you try?  What worked, what didn't?  Respond in the comment section below, or email me at amy@acnlifecoach.com.  Your messages are always welcome.  Take care.