Staying Mentally Well

Staying Mentally Well

Staying Mentally Well

We have minds that have unlimited potential and Linda addresses some basics about learning.
Are you creative? Do you like books? Are you able to communicate well? Do you memorize well? What do you like to do in our free time? What are you thinking about? What are you doing to improve your health?

Good mental health is the basis for all of us so we can enjoy life.  Our brains are made to work well for us.

Um? Will that get me into trouble?

Health Coaching is now available through Linda.   If you are interested in losing weight and feeling better call 815-459-5161 to set up a time to talk.

Adaptability Quotient

IQ’s measure intelligence.  EQ’s measure emotional intelligence.  AQ refers to how well a person reacts to the inevitability of change.  So what supports the capacity to make changes well?   Linda talks about unlearning old information!  Listen and see what insights you can talk away.

Boundaries

Call us if you need help, want to suggest topics, or what to share some good information.

Remember to take the first step forward, it may put you on the escalator of success!

Making Good Decisions

Making Good Decisions

Making choices and decisions can be difficult and many of us are in the process of trying to decide on many different topics throughout our day. We are trying to prioritize what needs to be done and the best way of doing those particular things. Our choices and decisions are ongoing. We are continually making choices and decisions from the time we are small. Today on Mini Miracles from Minor Moments the idea of how to proceed may be helpful for you. Often it the smallest thing that ignites your fire and allows you to elevate your income, the relationships you relish, and the feeling of being accomplished.

Time Changes our Perspective

As we age we make many choices. Choices of exercising or activities that move us ahead. Choices of who to spend time with or choices of when to travel or how we plan a trip. In today’s world, people are making the choice of whether they want the vaccine. One starts looking at the pros and cons. You may be making choices of eating to build a better immune system. Perhaps selecting types of exercise that will be good for you.

Free Up Your Mind

Decisions take on a number of important factors. Just like a computer, our mind needs to be freed up to make wise choices. The best results come from knowing the right path to take. Sometimes we are worried about making the wrong decision and as a result, we let good opportunities pass us by. Indecision and confusion deplete us of energy that could be used to keep us mentally healthy.

The Illustration of Getting a Dog

Linda illustrates how to make choices by telling us a story about her decision to purchase a dog. She asked herself many questions, some may help you come up with questions to ask yourself if you need to look at when you have a decision about jobs, commitments, vacations, or even important things like having surgery.

Are you deciding on going back to school? Are you trying to change your financial situation? Perhaps you need to move to a different size home or help fund a family member?

Steps to Help You Move Ahead

Decisions are not always easy, but here are a few ideas on how one can actually make good decisions.  Our choices boil down to a few specific things :1- visualize the destination of your actions and how you can control the outcome, 2- Look at the opportunities available now, 3- What choices are there? 4- Next create habits that are simple, easily repeated, and time focused —even designate a good time to think things through —it may be while taking a walk or getting alone and sitting away from confusion. 5- Put yourself among like-minded people who share your values and commitments—get their feedback. 6- Use humor when things seem too hard to decide.

Our weekend Winner’s Circle meets on Tuesday at 10:30 CST and perhaps you’d benefit by joining it. You can check it out at www.lindagullo.com

 

“Taking the first step may put you on the escalator of success!”

Anticipating the Best

Anticipating the Best

Hello and thanks for joining me on this 191st podcast. Today we are going to discuss the repercussions and emotional responses that seem to be coming to us during this winter season and all of the news about Corona. So many people are affected by the loneliness and the isolation that has been created this past year. We cannot undo these times, but the way we interpret and deal with them can be uplifting rather than being a downer.

Simply because we are not interacting with one another in the usual way we do, our thinking may be getting cloudy, empty, and irrational. We are not receiving the feedback from others that is so important to us and to our loved ones. Because we are alone, our aches, pains, problems, politics, and isolation causes us to focus on negative situations.  Instead, we need to anticipate fun things and have things to plan for as the year evolves. Gardening, hobbies, family picnics, birthdays, weddings, or gatherings can be tentatively planned.

Expectations & Dreams

Linda shares an episode with a neighbor and how relevant it is to recall the seemingly insignificant moments. They are in fact the things that bring us joy. As 2021 comes into February we need to connect on all levels to help all of us grow.

Fresh

Fresh garden produce

Start making tentative plans that will give you something to look forward to and plan. Find books to read. Create a plan for your projects and things to guide you ahead.

Get your passion in line with changing times. Time to stretch!

The 2nd section of the podcast is on our memories. Just a few thoughts to improve yours and recognize how important they are to all of us.  Memories help us deal with losses and with difficult times in life.  They are also fun to make with kids, families, and friends.

These short commentaries are not word-for-word of the podcast, so please enjoy listening.

Take the first step forward, it may put you on the escalator of success.

How Conscious Are You?

How Conscious Are You?

How conscious are you?  Welcome to 2021 and the opportunities this year presents to you.   What is a good word that can set you up for success this year?   For me, the word for the month is “Connect.”  I actually change out the word each month and it is a word that involves action.

Here are some of the topics on this podcast:

1- Are you familiar with the new social app Clubhouse?  Well, it is a new tool to learn.  A tool to connect us with others interest in the topics you like.   You will meet new contacts and can listen to the opinions of other entrepreneurs and/or people of knowledge.

2- Jon Acuff, an author talks about completing a goal you have set.   He shared that at the University of Scranton they studied New Year resolutions and only 8% get to their goals.  That can be disappointing and discourage us from even starting.  Here you will get some steps toward encouragement. Listen to some of Linda’s ideas on reaching the steps that will move you ahead.  What do you want?  Who is helping you get to the end you want?

3- What are the relationships you want to develop this year?  Do you want to develop specific skills? 

4-  Looking to diets, habits, exercise, Moving on from unhealthy relationships, refueling ourselves,

5- Simple kindnesses start out as mini miracles.  Linda shares about a gift she received that was not related to the Holidays, but rather as an unexpected kindness from a friend.

6- Be aware of the boundaries you set.  Are you putting yourself among people that are offensive or adding pressure to you?  Listen here and see if you are in a similar place.

7- A few words about “GUILT”.  What is it?  Do you suffer from it?  What value does it hold?

8- Deepak Chopra and Ervi Laszlo discussed how we are connected.   Linda addresses what they discussed.  It is a very insightful selection.

9- How one person named Wayne set a great example for me and how Deepak’s conversation related.

Join us at our weekly Mastermind.  You’ll love the personal touch and the business insights.

Take the first step, it may put you on the escalator of success!

The Art of Thinking Clearly

The Art of Thinking Clearly

Enjoy listening to a Variety of Important Thoughts on moving forward. These will help you develop the Art of Thinking Clearly

Linda shares about a few highlights from Thanksgiving. Yes, many families and friends connected by ZOOM. The man who created zoom, Eric Yuan, has gotten us beyond physical limitations. We are so lucky to use technology to stay connected.

Staying optimistic during these times allows us to grow. We can help each other. We are able to feel complete. Send Linda your ideas for topics.

SWEET SYSTEMS HELP

A few thoughts on an article from Success Magazine in the January/February 2121 issue talks about practices for setting goals. Although the article is directed at Money goals, Linda shares how these steps can help us in every aspect of our lives.
1-Systems help us, don’t rely on willpower.
2-Allow Habits to move you ahead, don’t focus on outcomes
3-Being flexible helps us; don’t be rigid. See things with humor.
4-Stay committed, but don’t try to be perfect. It is good to complete things.

Take that first step, it may put you on the escalator of success!

RESPECTING YOURSELF

What makes things complete for you? Is it good relationships? Finishing a book? Calling your children and embracing them? What makes your life rich? How do I develop the art of thinking clearly? What relationships are important to you? What do you do that makes you feel better? Even though things may be difficult, now is the time to creative something special. It could be a hobby, a new area of learning, or way to make changes intentionally. Get a coach —Call me.

LOSSES

Dealing with losses can be a difficult thing.It causes us to change and adapt to situations. Losses can be dealt with by changing ones perspective. What will bring you joy?

Integrating self care helps us with adapting to our needs and those of others. Linda shares a few ways to help us change our thinking.

What do you need to focus on? With the holidays in full swing we all need to apply new skills and reflect on the things that are wonderful. Are you learning something new?

Be creative, complete things, and be deliberate. Keep a variety in your life. Do small things, as well as, larger things. What feelings are controlling you rather than using good mental thoughts. Make lists. They can be destroyed and torn up but they help us think things through.

Saying YES or NO?

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?” ISAIAH 43.:19

Note that these are just a few topics and they are not the "word-for-word 
content of this podcast!
Dealing with Changes

Dealing with Changes

Dealing with change takes on challenges and allows us to reframe our thoughts as time goes forward. We need to approach a new attitude with every change in direction.

Time is measured by events in our lives as well as changes in the environment. Taking steps to prevent problems means we have to make choices to move, to change direction, or to take measures to prevent dangerous issues. Linda talks about having trees in her yard that needed to be removed before there was a problem from them falling.

Pivoting from one thing to another is difficult, but we must evaluate just how we see things. Linda shares about having to take in her car into the dealership and the way she was treated. She had fears about how to give an honest review. She had an internal conflict.  Have you ever had a similar experience?

FEARS

What are your fears? Where did they originate from? Who do you talk to when you have concerns and fears to discuss? You may have more control than you think you do!

Do you react quickly and impulsively? Emails and texts have taught us to react quickly and it isn’t always a good idea.  We need to think things through.

Self-care can go a long way in helping us stay well. As parents, as providers, and as community members we need to be there for one another.

CAL, a Gift from a good friend!

A little bear named Cal sits on my desk at work and reminds me of a dear friend who gave it to me after a trip she made to Calgary.  Even though this is a small thing in my life, it represents a time when there were normalcy and happier moments.

It’s all about paying attention to the small things in our lives that help us maintain stability and a positive outlook.
Martin Seligman later popularized the concept of learned optimism. By deliberately explaining events to ourselves in a constructive manner, we free ourselves from feelings of helplessness. Even when events in our lives come out of nowhere and tackle us, we can bounce back and gain control.

Here are a few trick or treaters who had a great time!

Linda shares about her focus on a few specific positive measures. What are the positive things you have chosen to think about or do for yourself?  How have the people in your community been creative in making the holidays special?

3 suggested books: Millionaire Success Habits by Dean Graziosi
Do Over by Jon Acuff
Off Balance by Matthew Kelly

 

Take the first step, it may put you on the escalator of success!  Linda’s own!

 

How to Enjoy Life

How to Enjoy Life

Welcome to Podcast 187 and the month of October.  Hope you are enjoying the beautiful colors.  They bring us an understanding of how to enjoy simple ordinary opportunities that can make you feel awesome.

Simple things help us find Balance

Balancing energy, eating, sleeping, and getting work done helps us enjoy life. Working smarter not longer can make us feel accomplished. How to work smarter and get ahead will make your life easier. Here we tackle a few strategies of the mind and how we can advance. Focus on one thing at a time. Think ahead to get necessary things done for today. Building a Healthy Mindset takes away the idea that you are a victim, but rather you are in control or on a good path towards a goal. Creating small habits and doing small things to advance helps one feel good. Dealing with challenges can also move us ahead in ways we can’t control.

Building a Healthy Mindset

There are options for us like making small changes and habits. Linda shares about her exercise calendar that gave her a feeling of accomplishment. Create habits with a starting point by finding a cue of something you do regularly. Little strategies help us get the final line easier.

Celebrations

I completed this!          It calls for a celebration!

There are many celebrations are around events like birthdays, life celebrations, or religious times. Many daily achievements should also be celebrated too. What are your daily wins? What have you gotten done that makes your week full? Laugh more, love more, enjoy more!!!

What has made you happy this week?

Take the next step forward, it may put you on the escalator of success!

Striving for Advancement

Striving for Advancement

Striving for Advancement

Books provide us with insights.  Insights to help us put into practice things to make our days better and allow us to strive.  Jon Gordon wrote The Energy Bus.  It is a book that allows one to move ahead with a great transformation. This week our podcast is all about striving for advancement in your life and this book is an excellent resource. 

The Dip by Seth Godin is a small book and a quick read, but it talks about eliminating the negative things in life that take us away from using our time wisely. He shares that some of the winners in life are actually those who have become the best quitters. In lieu of reading this book, I made the decision to move away from 3 different things that have kept me busy for the last 15 or 20 years. I don’t think I wasted time in contributing to projects, committees and the sort, but after reading this simple book, it was apparent that it was a time for change and advancement.

Reading helps us focus.  It sets dimensions and boxes us in for a span of time.  Focus helps us accomplish the things that make you feel better. Let new ideas grow when you are focused. Transform your life!

Dealing with Changing time…

The way we deal with the Pandemic or any transitions time can help if we put the right things into place. We need to engaged with others, stay physically active, and mentally healthy. We may need to give ourselves new direction and open ourselves up to new ideas.

Last week I participated in a conversation with Rev. Paul White and another Counselor like myself, Geri Condon . We talked about deep breathing, about moving well, and ways to shake ourselves  from stress.  It is important to stay prayerful, keep busy, and engage in conversations and opportunities that connect us with one another.   Being isolated is not healthy on any dimension.   We must talk and help find productive ways of moving forward.  Linda shared about stretching out one’s shoulders and shaking one’s arms losely.  She shared how an older uncle of hers taught her about how dogs realign themselves.

Living with your whole heart and whole soul means knowing what is authentic for you. How are you engaging with others? Linda talks about the things that make us feel connected and certain about rest, joy, and connecting. Find things that lift you and are meaningful. An old hobby, dancings, and music lift us!

Back to the Energy Bus…

How do you fuel yourself? People who share your vision may be help you advance and progress. Who are your energy vampires? Who are the “driven people” in your life?

The Carpenter is the book that I am reading. It is also by Jon Gordon You may relate to the struggles of a man who is racing through life. The Carpenter helps him by building a new mindset!

Getting Replenished

Getting Replenished

Getting replenished takes insight and time.  Sometimes we need to make simple changes. Enjoy a few thoughts on this matter with this week’s podcast.

What have you had to assemble?

Reading directions helps us to put things together. We are all given roadmaps, and directions to succeed. Affirmations move us forward. Learning comes from trying new things. Letting change help us go forward calls us to turn to other people.

GPS helps us and we don’t realize how learning to read a map is still important.  Maybe it doesn’t seem that way as it was years ago, but it is a good skill. Schedules, deadlines, and calendars move us into a productive mode. Linda talks about a wren and how it set an example

What is relaxing for you?

Having Passed Labor Day Linda talked about a relaxed day. She recommended a book by Anne Lamot called Bird by Bird. It talked about instructions on writing and life. A good book stressing how habits set us up for success. Linda mentions the value of listening to books being read to us.

Trust your own judgment!

People that seek help are usually good about working through issues. I am fortunate to have people coming into my office who want to excel.

Confidence grows when we share our knowledge with other people.

What are you good at doing? What do you share with other people? Being happy for other’s joys and celebrating with them will help you grow!

What forces you to make a change?

Loss of jobs, needing a doctor, or getting gas in your vehicle may seem insignificant until you have no choice. Maturing continues until the day we die so we need to be patient with teenagers and ourselves. Roadblocks are often good for us because we are forced to change.

 

Take the first step, it may put you on the escalator of success.

 

The Value of Conversation

The Value of Conversation

Welcome to this week’s Podcast on Conversation.  Sometimes this is a problem for some people.  Do you doubt about what to share or say?  Are you feeling what you experience is worthless?  Learning to share thoughts and feelings takes practice and discernment for sure, but listening to another person really helps.  Linda shares some ways to engage in good conversation, so continue to listen.

Talking and Walking is natural and begins early in our lives. Communication grows.

Trying to communicate with others is to really listen and reflect.  We need to work on expressing and enjoying one another.  We need to be congruent and honest.  Where are you when it comes to being authentic?  Do you think you are lacking a sufficient vocabulary?  Linda talks about some of these things this week.

Join us for our weekly Mastermind group that meets every week on ZOOM.  We believe in one another, we share personal and business options.  We share and help each other grow.  Here we converse and learn.

Working as a Team to Propel You Forward!

Sharing with one another helps us develop self-confidence and self-esteem.  We learn to take risks and grow.  We are people who need a community to stay well.   All of us need one another on a regular basis to stay well.  Reaching out on a regular basis is healthy and allows us to feel the joys, fears, and dreams of one another.  Putting on our masks at this time is fine if it gives you a chance to engage.

Times of success are important and give us value.  We need to share with others the books you read, the doctors you like, the stores that work for you.  Talk over the backyard fence, call another on the phone, and connect in ways that aren’t just on social media.

“Take the first step forward, it may put you on the escalator of success.”