August 2009

It’s that time of year again, when before the autumn, we try to grasp the last rays of summer sun. This August, like many previous Augusts, hasn’t started well, the promise of continuous sun is still elusive, so if you are waiting for the sun to break through now could be a great time to start thinking about looking after yourself more. New Year Resolutions often don’t work in the darkness of January, but September is a great time to start a rejuvenation plan to take you through the winter and into the spring, when if it is like this year we will have our summer again!

Becoming the person you have always wanted to be
The important thing is to make a start; inertia, apathy and even slothfulness are all the enemies of us achieving our goals. Many self-motivation books encourage you to overcome these enemies through positive visualisation, but it is all too easy to start with good intentions and then to slip back. Here are some ways to overcome this.

Summer is a great time to start exploring your options- lying on the beach, even taking time off from work and being at home can give you a chance to think differently. If you are thinking about a new career, or achieving an ambition, gather together a collection of old magazines, glue and scissors and a large piece of paper, and choose a time when you are relaxed without any pressures. The secret is to encourage your mind to wander, just go through the magazines selecting the words and images as they appeal. At first just cut out the images, but do not attempt to put them in any order at first. Take your time; let your thoughts take their own path. When you have gathered enough start laying them on the card, see if you can also find appropriate words, look for positive, upbeat words or statements. Don’t stick them down until you feel that you have started to create a ‘mood’ and you are happy with their positioning.