![]() We've reached the midpoint of this year and it’s time to hit the refresh button. The first half may have presented unforeseen obstacles or detours but don't let that deter you - there is still ample opportunity for growth and accomplishment ahead in these next six months! To help you reset effectively here are nine strategies that will enable you to make full use of them. With their implementation into your daily routine, success becomes more attainable than ever before! So look ahead with confidence knowing that every challenge can be overcome through perseverance and determination. Reflect and Celebrate: To successfully navigate the path ahead, it’s essential to take stock of what you've accomplished over the past six months. Regardless if they were big or small wins, all achievements deserve recognition and celebration! Reflecting on milestones reached along with lessons learned during this period will help you guide future efforts while at the same time boosting your confidence levels. Recognizing your accomplishments provides a solid foundation for moving forward toward new goals with renewed motivation. Don’t undervalue your progress thus far – embrace it fully instead! Celebrate every accomplishment no matter how seemingly insignificant because each one adds up to something significant eventually! Review Your Goals: When it comes to achieving success in life having clear goals is essential. However, sometimes circumstances change and what once seemed important may no longer be relevant. To ensure that you are still on track with your objectives take some time out of each day/week/month, depending on how frequently you prefer to reassess them against current conditions, and adjust accordingly if necessary. Keep these key points in mind when making changes: make sure they remain realistic yet challenging enough; break down larger tasks into smaller steps for better tracking progress; regularly review & refine as needed so nothing falls through the cracks! With this approach towards goal setting success will become more attainable than ever before! Develop a Roadmap: After revising your objectives it’s time to create a comprehensive roadmap for the next six months. This involves breaking down each goal into smaller tasks that can be tackled on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis while setting clear deadlines and milestones along the way. Prioritizing both short-term wins as well as long-term goals is essential when allocating sufficient amounts of time toward achieving success. With an effective compass like this guiding you through life's challenges - victory will soon become yours! Embrace the Power of a Growth Mindset: Developing your knowledge, understanding, and skills is possible through dedication and hard work. View setbacks as opportunities for learning rather than seeing them as failures. Cultivate resilience, and perseverance alongside positivity in order to adopt an effective growth mindset. Taken together these will help you take calculated risks while seizing new opportunities without hesitation or fear. With this approach toward life's challenges - stepping out of your comfort zone becomes easier - leading you closer to becoming the best you can be! Cultivate Healthy Habits: Cultivating healthy habits is crucial for achieving success in all areas of life. This requires taking care of your physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being through self-care practices. Consider adopting balanced dietary choices, engaging regularly with exercise routines, and getting adequate rest while also practicing mindfulness or meditation techniques to reduce stress levels. Prioritizing these actions will ensure that you remain energized, focused, and motivated throughout the journey toward accomplishing your goals successfully. Seek Support and Accountability: Don't underestimate the power of a support network when pursuing your goals. Seek out individuals who share similar aspirations and can provide guidance, encouragement as well as accountability for your actions. Sharing your objectives with trusted friends or family members could also prove beneficial since they may offer valuable insights into helping you achieve them while holding you responsible along the way. Consider joining communities that align with your interests too, as these groups often have resources available to help motivate others toward reaching their desired results. Always remember, having an active support system in place is key! Embrace Learning and Personal Development: Embracing learning and personal development can be a transformative experience during the next six months. Identify areas where you want to expand your knowledge or develop new skills by exploring books, online courses, workshops, seminars, and coaching options that align with your goals and values. Prioritize regular time for self-improvement in order to unlock doors leading towards fresh opportunities later on down the line. Investing in yourself through education is key when it comes to achieving success both personally and professionally! Declutter and Simplify: Resetting for the next six months requires both physical and mental decluttering. Start by clearing out unnecessary items from your living or working space. This will help create a more streamlined environment that fosters productivity. Simultaneously work on letting go of negative thoughts, limiting beliefs, and distractions - these things can hold you back if you let them! Simplifying our commitments while focusing solely on what matters most to each one of us individually allows room for creativity & clarity in all aspects of life. In Summary: Simplicity is key when it comes time to reset yourself mentally, spiritually, and physically so take some time now before starting anything new later. A reset is not about starting over but rather adjusting your course toward success. It’s an opportunity to refine goals, renew commitment, and reignite passion for what you do. Embrace the lessons learned from past experiences as steppingstones that will boost future achievements. By establishing clear objectives alongside healthy habits while building a strong support system around yourself - anything becomes possible! Take charge of this new chapter by implementing these strategies today. It’s time to become your best self yet! Thank you for reading folks, keep safe, stay well, and continue to become the best version of yourself. Richard Fontanie.
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![]() Note: Over the past six months I have provided articles about self-renewal. Exploring self-renewal is easier when you understand the many different ways it can appear. All people are different with their own unique experiences, preferences, and personalities. To better understand what self-renewal can look like among different people, here is the 3rd case study for illustrative purposes only. It is about Jacob, a fictitious person, and how he overcame his addictions. Jacob, a single father of two young daughters, found himself in a downward spiral after the unexpected passing of his wife six months ago. The weight of grief pushed him to seek solace in alcohol, a coping mechanism that brought temporary relief but caused lasting problems. As a result, his daughters had to fend for themselves, and Jacob's job was at risk due to his frequent absences and tardiness. Each time Jacob emerged from a drunken haze, he was consumed by overwhelming shame, guilt, and anger toward himself. He realized that by turning to alcohol, he was not helping his daughters cope with the loss of their mother. Moreover, he jeopardized their only source of income, making his desire to drown his pain in alcohol seem foolish and self-destructive. The knowledge that his loved ones, neighbors, and colleagues were aware of his alcohol abuse problem filled Jacob with immense embarrassment. The mere thought of admitting to his struggle unleashed a torrent of shame and denial. Although he promised himself that he would gather the strength to quit drinking after every binge, he always ended up falling back into the same destructive cycle. It was only after a close friend confronted him with brutal honesty that Jacob acknowledged the extent of his alcohol problem. The harsh truth stung, but it also served as a wake-up call. Jacob realized that if he didn't make changes, he would inflict irreparable harm on himself and his family. Following his friend's advice, Jacob mustered the courage to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in his city. Stepping through the doorway and joining the group felt like an official confirmation of his struggles, intensifying his embarrassment, shame, and fear. Despite these emotions, Jacob made a commitment to attend his first meeting. Upon arrival, Jacob took a moment to observe the other attendees. They appeared to be ordinary individuals, just like him—coworkers, parents, and neighbors. Seeing others who shared his shameful struggle helped alleviate some of Jacob's anxiety. As the meeting commenced, he settled into his chair, ready to embark on a new path. Although progress in conquering his drinking habit was slow, Jacob remained steadfast. He attended meetings regularly, formed connections with new people, and delved deep into his drinking problem, addressing the root causes buried within his grief. Jacob had long attempted to suppress the painful emotions stemming from his wife's death. The experience had been unpleasant and shocking, leading him to avoid those feelings at any cost, even if it meant relying on alcohol. The journey of self-discovery was arduous, but it proved to be worth every effort. Over time, Jacob's desire to drink diminished as he developed healthier coping mechanisms to navigate his overwhelming emotions. After a year of unwavering commitment, Jacob emerged as a much healthier single father. Instead of evading his profound emotions, he embraced them, even when they seemed messy and challenging to handle. While the occasional temptation to drink still arose, Jacob equipped himself with productive and healthier strategies to navigate those moments. He recognized that his path to self-renewal was an ongoing process, as his grief would likely never fully dissipate. However, armed with the right tools, Jacob was determined to continue growing and improving his situation. Inspired by his own transformation, Jacob made a life-changing decision. He decided to start his own home-based business, allowing him to be present for his growing daughters. With the flexibility of running his own venture, Jacob could create a nurturing environment for his girls and support them through their healing process. The business became a means for Jacob to provide for his family and spend quality time together, fostering a strong bond and a sense of security. Jacob's home-based business thrived as he combined his newfound emotional resilience with his entrepreneurial spirit. He dedicated himself to learning about internet marketing, leveraging his skills and creativity to build a successful online presence. Through strategic planning and hard work, Jacob attracted clients and developed meaningful connections within the industry. With the success of his business, Jacob's financial situation improved, easing the burden that had weighed heavily on his shoulders. He no longer had to worry about his job's stability, enabling him to focus on his daughters' well-being and personal growth. Jacob's decision to create his own path not only allowed him to stay close to his daughters but also served as a powerful example of resilience and determination. Today, Jacob continues to navigate the complexities of grief and fatherhood while successfully running his home-based business. He cherishes the moments spent with his daughters, watching them grow and flourish. Jacob's journey is a testament to the transformative power of facing one's demons, embracing healing, and creating a life filled with love, purpose, and self-renewal. Are you inspired to create your own path to healing and success? Take the first step towards a brighter future by exploring new opportunities and building a life that aligns with your values. It's never too late to embark on your own journey of personal growth and fulfillment. Start today and discover the possibilities that await you. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse, don't hesitate to seek help. Contact local support groups or professional resources to begin your path to healing and recovery. You don't have to face it alone. Thank you for reading folks, continue becoming the best version of yourself, and stay safe. Richard Richard Fontanie Self-renewal allows us to grow in response to the changes around us. One thing is for certain, our needs change throughout our lives, and so, if we want to live a fulfilling life, it’s important to recognize and tend to these changing needs.
During our early years, we rely heavily on our caregivers to provide us with the necessary care and support to survive. As we grow and develop, we become more independent and start to explore the world around us. In adolescence, we go through significant physical and emotional changes that began to shape our identities and worldview. Our brains continue to develop during this time, making us more able to think abstractly and see both sides of an argument. In adulthood, we are typically on our own. We face new challenges, such as building careers, starting businesses, starting families, and we continue to evolve as individuals. In essence, we take on more responsibilities and deepen our awareness of who we are and what we are about. As we enter our elder years, our bodies change once again. We might not be able to do the things we once did when we were younger. We may also require different kinds of support and care. But with these changing experiences comes wisdom, and that is something that can never be taken away from us. How to Tend To Our Changing Needs As we change so too does the world in which we live change. It can be difficult to keep up with those ever-evolving changes and how they fit within our needs. If we think back and consider all the changes that have taken place in the past century, we recognize that we have moved from a horse-and-buggy style of transportation to landing on the moon. We are now testing the boundaries of our expanding solar system. We have progressed from paper and pen to computerization. And presently we are testing the limits of artificial intelligence. We are moving at an ever-accelerating rate and need to find ways to stay ahead of what is happening around us and find ways to adapt to these changes. Here are three practical tips on how you can keep up with the changes going on around you. 1. Take Time Out to Figure Out Your Needs and Wants. Taking time out of your busy schedules allows you to settle and focus on what is important to us. Introspection is a powerful way to engage in our personal growth and self-awareness. In today’s fast-paced world, it is easy to get caught up in the demands of everyday life. It’s important, then, to take a step back to reflect on our own needs and wants. By taking some time to look deep within us, we can gain clarity on what truly matters to us and make sure we are on the right path. When engaging in introspection, it’s critical that we be honest with ourselves about what is working and what is not. We can ask critical questions such as, “Am I satisfied with my work?” “Do I have supportive relationships?” “Am I pursuing my passions?” By asking these questions, we can begin to identify areas for improvement and make the necessary changes that align with our values and goals. Introspection also gives us the opportunity to connect with our inner selves and cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness. This self-awareness can lead to improved self-confidence and healthier relationships with others. By taking the time to reflect on our own needs and desires, we can develop more fulfilling and purposeful lives. Consider investing in yourself, whether it is through journaling, meditation, or simply taking a walk alone, you will be glad you did. 2. Talk to People Who Know You Well And Can Offer You Valuable Insights. As we age and evolve, seeking advice from those who know us best can give us valuable insights into our changing needs. Family members, close friends, colleagues, and professional advisers can provide an outside perspective that can be difficult to gain through self-reflection alone. By tapping into these resources, we can gain a better understanding of ourselves and make more informed decisions. Talking to people who know us well can also provide us with emotional support and encouragement. When facing difficult decisions or uncertain situations, having a sounding board to bounce ideas off of can help us feel more confident and secure in our choices. Additionally, those who have known us for a long time can offer valuable perspectives on our strengths, weaknesses, and general characteristics. It’s important, however, when we are seeking advice to choose people who have our best interests at heart and who are willing to give us honest feedback. It is also important that we be open to constructive criticism and willing to consider different perspectives, even if they are something we don’t want to hear. Ultimately, by engaging with those who know us best, we can gain a holistic understanding of ourselves and make more informed decisions about our lives. 3. Experiment Until You Find What Works For You. When we are looking for new ways to find what works best for us we need to be open and adaptable. There is no single right way to approach any situation, and what worked for us in the past may not work now. Flexibility and experimentation are the keys to finding solutions that work for our current needs. Rather than being afraid of change and experimentation, we should embrace it as an opportunity to learn and grow. By trying out different methods and approaches we can gain better insights into our needs and preferences. This can help us become more effective in solving problems and achieving improved outcomes. Remember, experimentation is a process, and may take several attempts before we find out what works for us. It is during these times that we require patience and persistence. It is also a time not to be afraid to seek guidance or support if we need it. With an open mind and a willingness to try new things, we can discover innovative solutions and achieve goals in ways we never thought possible. In conclusion, it doesn’t matter what stage of life we are in, we all go through changes. As infants, we need our parents to take care of us. As adults, we have families of our own to take care of. And as we age, our bodies and minds change once again. Through introspection, advice seeking, and experimentation we can grow and develop into becoming better people. And, no matter what changes we face in life, one thing remains constant: the love and support of those around us. Thank you for reading and remember always to continue to develop the best version of yourself. Stay safe, and keep well… Richard Richard Fontanie ![]() Change is a fact of life. And it can be difficult even when it’s positive. However, learning something new or exciting for the first time can truly resonate with us and that can excite us. While we are on our journey to renewal, we need to learn to change with change rather than reacting to it. People find change challenging because they struggle to accept that certain experiences they had will be a thing of the past. We often see this in the workplace when something new is introduced, a new system, or a different procedure. Employees are comfortable with what they know, so change becomes a challenge for them. Employees are experts in the old system and for them, change feels like they are starting all over again. Despite this, change is inevitable and often beneficial for those involved. Interestingly, the human brain tends to focus on what is being lost rather than the positives that the change will bring. People then become anxious, emotional, and stressed out, which prevents their opportunity for personal growth. When we actually learn to change with change, we refocus our energy and even revel in the euphoria of learning something new. One of the first important steps to changing with change is to accept that there is always a positive aspect to it. It may not be easy but we need to realize that a greater good may come as a result of the change. It’s often like peeling an onion, sometimes we cry, but the onion provides the flavor for the food we eat. So, sometimes it’s hard to accept the change and learn to flow with it rather than reacting to it negatively and crying about it. One of the best ways for us to meet life changes is to practice facing small changes positively. Accepting and learning from the little changes that come our way prepare us for the bigger ones in the future. For instance, you arrive at the doctor’s office five minutes early, and as is often the case, the doctor is running behind schedule. You could react to this situation with annoyance but just by adjusting your mindset with a bit of positivity, you can reduce some of the stress you are placing on yourself. Rather than stewing about it, use it as an opportunity to read a book or an article that you have been putting off reading. Here’s the deal you can’t change the situation, it is outside of your control, nor can you change someone else’s behavior, but you can change how you react to it. Now it’s easy to expect others to change to make us feel more comfortable, but it’s much harder to make changes in our own lives. If you find yourself demanding change from others due to high standards or expectations, maybe it’s time to put the spotlight not on others but on yourself. When we shift our thinking from others to ourselves we start the process of changing ourselves. Meaningful change begins with personal reflection and action. Our travels during the journey in life are all about growth and rediscovery of who we are, our real purpose, and how we can become the best version of ourselves. Change is part and parcel of that journey. So it’s time to become comfortable with embracing change and all the opportunities it brings. Certainly, it’s important to recognize that change can be uncomfortable and difficult, but it is necessary for personal growth and development. Sometimes we resist change simply because it takes us outside of our comfort zone and forces us to learn new things. However, our reaction to change is often what causes us pain, rather than the pain itself. That being said, it is important to remember that not all change is positive. If the change goes against our beliefs and values and leads us in a negative direction, then we need to make a decision. It’s up to us to decide whether to accept the change and adapt to it or to take action and try to steer our lives back in a positive direction. In the end, change can be a powerful source for personal transformation and growth, but it is up to us to make critical choices as to how we react to it, what responses we make, and what actions we take. When we are mindful of our beliefs and values, and take ownership of our lives, we can embrace change so that it aligns with our true selves and leads us to a more fulfilling life. So, take a moment to reflect on what changes you need to make in your own life. Where are the areas you want to develop and grow? What habits do you need to break and what new ones do you need to build or strengthen? Lean into the idea of self-renewal and embrace the excitement that comes with positive change. Don’t wait for others to change – take the first steps towards meaningful transformation yourself. Peel back the layers of your own onion. Thank you for reading and as always stay safe, keep well, and continue becoming the best version of yourself. Richard Richard Fontanie ![]() When we are in the process of renewal it means that we need to make some changes and that could be scary business. Let’s unravel this aspect of renewal. One of the realities of life is change, yet many of us are afraid of it. Some can face it and overcome it while others buckle under it. But in the end, we all experience our level of fear when it comes to change. It's literally why the “comfort zone” got its name. So, you're not the only person who feels terrified of change, it's the way the human brain is wired. Your brain is responding to a level of uncertainty brought about by the change process – It’s telling you to avoid change and discomfort because it's much easier to deal with that than it is to address the unwanted emotions that come with pushing through change. Change feels scary and that is a natural feeling. Something much bigger underneath the surface may be holding you back. For some, fear can be paralyzing, to the point that it makes any change a disaster. The official label for a genuine fear of change is Metathesiophobia. It is the persistent intense (and persistent) fear of change. People with Metathesiophobia may experience feelings of anxiety, panic, stress, or dread when faced with change, and may go to great lengths to avoid situations or environments that they believe may bring about change. Some people stay in terrible relationships because they are terrified of being alone. Of course, that is not the only reason people remain in negative relationships. It could relate to fear of what might happen if they leave or lack of confidence to leave. Whatever the reason, fear is the basis for why people often don’t leave a toxic relationship. To anyone looking in from the outside, it's obvious that the person in the terrible relationship should end it and move on. But it's not black and white – there are children involved, there are financial overlaps, and it can be scary to unwrap all of that. Some stay put in a miserable job that has never brought them a day of joy because they are afraid of moving to a new position or too scared to start a new career. Fear holds people back from starting a business or moving into the non-profit sector. Often they are ready to make a leap to a new career or business venture but fear holds them back from making the move. Again, to anyone looking in from the outside, it's obvious that the person in the miserable job should get out of that situation. But, there's accrued vacation time to think about, the benefits of long service, and everything that leaving would change. And, that too is scary. For all the talk about the grass being greener on the other side, a lot of people are way too scared to find out if it is true. So, why are we so afraid of change? Your brain finds peace in what is known rather than what is unknown. If you don't know what to expect, your brain will start to fill in the blanks and it always cooks up worst-case scenarios. Fear of failure is often a big part of that. It's easier to sit out than join in when you don't know how it will turn out. For someone who grew up in a home with a negative worldview, holding onto that cynicism throughout adulthood could easily engender anxiety and fear about trying new things. It's common for people to hold onto pieces of their upbringing, and a lot of times, they're unaware of the root. They just stick to what they know because that is what they've always known. Simply put they are stuck in the past. They have not learned to unlearn their past so that they can fully live in the present and go forward without the anxiety and fear that holds them back. Just because you have been afraid of change in the past, doesn't mean you have to keep being afraid of change. It requires work to get to that point, it takes courage to move forward. But, you can overcome your fear of change by putting yourself out there in small ways to start. The stages of change start with anticipation and you begin to embrace the excitement of it all. You now become aware of your fear but have yet to commit to the change. Next comes the decision to take action. You begin to prepare to make a change but you are not ready to move on it. Finally, you decide to take action and you actively take steps to work through your fears and anxiety. You reach the breakthrough stage where you accept the change and reward yourself for following through. Finally comes consolidation where you are working to maintain the change over the long term. However, in working through the change it may not be so linear but more of a circuitous route. For instance, just when the change you have worked so hard to make seems to be your norm, regression begins to set in. Everything seems to get worse again and you are slipping back to your fears. It’s at this point that you need to realize that things will get better and that you have already made huge steps to reach your breakthrough. Now you need to take heart and work through your relapse. One other aspect of change relates to your spiritual mindset. Often people are not at peace with themselves and have difficulty meeting change because they are afraid to look within. The process of personal change is always about looking inward and becoming comfortable with who we are and why we exist. When you journey through the change process don’t forget to reflect on the spiritual aspect of your life and how it relates to how you feel about change. In conclusion, get started by breaking it all into little, easy-to-digest pieces. Set goals so that every change you embrace moves you closer to achieving those goals. If your brain cooks up the worst-case scenario, have a plan in place to counteract it. And, if you need help to work through the change process don’t be afraid to ask for help. Get over that fear too. As always continue to become the best version of yourself and thank you for reading. Richard Richard Fontanie |
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