Four Steps to Tomorrow

ONE: Believe in TODAY! We all know the phrase is actually Carpe Diem! And that’s exactly what I want you to do - all baby boomer women should SEIZE the DAY! And that day is today.

Unfortunately, I hear an element of fear in this phrase; as if today is the only day to love and tomorrow is a dream that shimmers in our subconscious, a lure that might get us in trouble.

I prefer to think of carpe diem as a gift. A gift of action. If we truly are able to SEIZE it, are we not then required to make use of it? Make good use of it? I think so.

And we are still able to plan for tomorrow. After all, tomorrow is just another day to seize with determination and great joy.

TWO: Banish YESTERDAY to the dungeon! It’s time to forgive and forget.

Are you seizing today but building a foundation out of yesterday? Are you still worrying about Samantha in sixth grade whose house you had to go to for lunch (no school lunches then!), who wouldn’t let you walk with her and her other friends?

Or, are you seizing today but find yourself thinking of how Diane D. embarrassed you in the lunchroom in ninth grade? We won’t talk about what she did. Let’s just say, forgive her and move on. It’s very likely she doesn’t remember that incident.

When you can banish yesterday to the dungeon, you give it, its due. Over and done with. Bad things, sad things, embarrassing things happened. They need have no bearing on you, today.

As  TV Therapist, and real life comedian, Bob Newhart would tell you, just Stop it! Stop thinking or worrying about what happened in your past! Watch the video here. Very powerful.

Accept that today, you are strong, powerful, and phenomenal. You’re a woman ready to turn her hobby into a business. Go, YOU!

THREE: Write it down! Write that dream and everything it means to you down on paper!

Yes, it’s necessary to write it down. If you don’t write it down, it’s just smoke drifting around your head, clogging your brain with ‘what ifs’.

You don’t want that.

Writing it down makes it real. We’ve talked about this before. The intent becomes real when you commit it to paper. If it takes two sheets of paper, fine. Three, fine. Four, fine. I don’t care. Just do it.

This exercise can be repeated daily. And, you can make revisions daily. Be flexible. There is no right answer - and the essay portion of this task may be improved upon as you grow and learn not only how to build a business, but how to become a professional in that business.

FOUR: Rejoice in your friendships!

Friendship is a delight we take for granted, and shouldn’t.

This article in Psychology Today, by Susan Krauss Whitbourne Ph.D shares the real value of friendship. Susan writes about a book called Friendfluence written by Carlin Flora. This quote hit home to me!

Friends can give you vital life skills. Friendfluence gives you vital life skills; “the very abilities one generally needs to be successful in life” (p. 6). There are many perks of friendship include sharpening your mind, making you generally happier, knowing yourself better, becoming inspired to reach your goals, advancing your career, helping you meet romantic partners, and living a longer and healthier life.

I am a big fan of partnerships. In my world, I have a strong partnership with my husband Tom, of Old Dog Learning. It exists outside of our marriage and allows us to combine efforts to reach more people in need of help when they get stuck.

My friendships with so many women made this business possible. Over the years, I've met more than my fair share of amazing women; and each one has taught me the value of connections made when each woman is open to sharing and caring, without that immediate, "what can I get out of this?" question.

My friendships with groups of women in networking and social media, make my live richer, fuller, and accountable. These are women and men who share my desire for success — as I share a desire for theirs.

As good friends, we embrace the first three steps here, and when a stumbling block trips one of us up, those friends are at the ready to right us and point us in that forward direction.

The scam for baby boomer women is that they are too easily convinced their big idea won’t work. Or that they don’t have the talent to carry it through. Or that they will be laughed at by family, friends, the whole big world. That’s the scam. None of that is true.

Take the leap. Step out of your comfort zone. Make that money you want to make. Create the free time to visit grandkids across the country. Buy that new car. Whatever it is that is nudging you to take your magic to the next level, listen to it and go for it!

We would love to hear what’s holding you back. 

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