I always enjoy the beginning. Where I live, here in South Florida, May 18th, was the day that we saw the lockdown and stay-at-home order brought on by COVID-19 begin to be lifted. Businesses were able to open including gyms (no gyms opened for some reason) and restaurants at 50 percent capacity. We haven’t been hit as hard as New York City or other parts of the world, so things will not change dramatically for us. We have been able to go outside, and exercise; most businesses have remained open.
I look forward to being able to resume my weekly Friday night date with my wife. It will be nice to return to our neighborhood Italian restaurant and actually be able to sit down and enjoy a meal. I wrote earlier about the anxiety caused by the pandemic and how the adversity of the situation also created opportunities.
The Beginning of Hope
As each day passes we seem to get closer to living the lives we lived at the beginning of the year. My offline businesses are beginning to come alive again and I’m seeing more work. This is good because these are what pay the bills and puts food on the table. I’m glad I took full advantage of the opportunities presented to me and started my online business. I love to commence a new project but it can be frightening. I know now that I will have to manage my time better in order to keep everything on track with my businesses and also provide time for myself and my family.
I always enjoy the beginning. The beginning of a relationship, meeting a new person who you know will become a good friend, starting to read a good book. To me, the beginning of anything is always exciting. I’m filled with joy and anticipation when a new football season kicks off. It excites me to begin a new challenge. I love the feeling of nervousness and wonderment I get when I ask myself, “Can I really do this?”
I start a new business with the excitement of all the possibilities if it succeeds. I’m quickly filled with feelings of frustration and doubt as I have to learn so many new things. As I quickly overcome my fears, it just adds to the excitement of beginning something new. Starting projects are fine, but nothing compares with finding true love. I don’t know if I’ve ever found any better feeling than beginning a relationship with someone that you know will be there for the rest of your life.
That Beautiful Feeling
I wrote last week about The Fateful Day That Changed My Life and how I met my wife. I’ll never forget that euphoric feeling when I first realized I was in love with her. I was walking on clouds for months and wanted to be with her all the time. She was always in my mind when she wasn’t there and would smell her perfume constantly. I felt sad when I couldn’t be with her. When I would first see her after being apart for some time, I was intoxicated by her beauty. Over time those rapturous, exhilarating feelings weren’t there but the feeling of love has remained, even after 28 years.
The beginning of anything that we do is exciting. For me, it’s exciting because it’s a time filled with possibilities. These possibilities are endless and keep our minds from focusing on the nervousness, frustrations, and fear of beginning to learn anything new. Once you begin anything there are no guarantees of success. It’s going to take hard work and persistence. If you don’t feel happy and excited about your new venture, then you’ll never start it. The fear of failure will prevent you from ever taking that first step.
7 Habits
The excitement and the anticipation of the success you will have will help you to control that fear and choke out those little “Doubt Demons” that are hiding and waiting to come out. As Stephen R. Covey wrote in his best-selling book, The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People, “Begin with the end in mind.” Begin your business, relationships, or projects with a vision of the outcome you will achieve. I didn’t begin my relationship with my wife thinking, “I hope this doesn’t end in divorce.” We would grow old together. I don’t start a business wondering if it’s going to work. Of course, it’s going to be a success and I can visualize all the people that I’m going to help with it.
How do we keep going after those initial feelings of excitement fade? How do we keep our relationships spontaneous and joyful once we settle into our daily routine? Here are a few tips I can offer:
- Don’t take your partner for granted. Appreciate every day because we are never promised another.
- Enjoy the journey. The view from the top of the mountain is magnificent, just don’t ignore all the beauty that you pass by on the way to the top.
- Be thankful. Openly express gratitude for what you’ve been given even when you’re facing some of life’s challenges.
- Follow the Golden rule. Treat your significant other as you would want them to treat you.
- Write down your goals together as a couple. Discuss your hopes and dreams and construct a plan to make it happen.
- Always begin and end each day with love and gratitude.
- Do something new that neither you nor your partner has done before. Get out of your comfort zone.
- Take long walks and enjoy each other’s company and conversation.
- Travel and make new memories. You will live tomorrow on the memories you make today.
- Always remember WHY you started in the first place. I’ll never forget the first time I ever saw my wife.
Even though excitement and euphoria fade, whether it be a new job, a new opportunity, or new relationship, you don’t quit on it. You don’t get rid of your car right after it loses that “new car smell.” You honor your commitment to it. Those feelings when you first start something are very thin and fragile. They fade away all too quickly. It’s the true feelings down deep inside you that give you the strength to weather the storms.
Final Thoughts
Do you have any tips or techniques that’s helped you maintain your relationship? How long has that initial euphoria lasted for you? For me, it’s lasted about two or three months. Please leave a comment below. If you have any questions or requests for topics I would love to hear them. If you like this post, click on the little star and feel free to share it with others it might help. As always, my posts are based on lessons I’ve learned throughout my life. I don’t claim to be an expert or professional therapist, I just play one on TV (some of you might actually get that joke).
“This Train Is Moving on, You Can Get on, You Can Get off, But the Train Keeps Moving on! We Are Going to the Top of the Mountain!”
Sharing
I believe in the power of sharing. If I read a good blog that really speaks to me and I believe it will provide value to others, I will share it. I have linked four books that I believe have value. In order to change you, you first have to change the way you think. Leaders Are Readers!
Sitting by the pool or on my sofa with a good book is something I still enjoy. I read all kinds of books, fiction, history, biographies, and motivational. I enjoy the quiet time I get with just me and my book. But we live in a fast pace society today where sometimes we need to combine our tasks. Do you find yourself short on time? Are you constantly saying, where did the time go? You are not alone.
I believe that we all feel like we don’t have enough time to get everything accomplished and what usually suffers is “me time.” “Me time” is especially important to all of us. A shortcut that I have found helpful is my Audible Membership and Kindle Unlimited Membership.
I listen to books on audible while I’m doing other things. I can listen while getting dressed, while I’m working out, and even while I’m preparing dinner for my family. It is a great way to get my reading in even when I have a full to-do list that I have received from my wife. She doesn’t take kindly to me ignoring her to-do list while I catch up on my reading.
An Audible Membership, it’s a win-win for both of us. I can download great books on this and listen to them with my AirPods. I use my AirPods every time I exercise. They don’t fall out and the sound is great. With Kindle, I can download books, magazines, and my daughters can even download their college textbooks. This is so much easier than carrying a heavy backpack full of textbooks around campus. The books can be downloaded to any device and read with the Kindle app.
Both the Audible Membership and Kindle Unlimited Membership are currently offering a 30 day free trial. You can sign up by clicking on the links and give it a test drive for 30 days free. If you find it’s not for you, simply cancel your membership before your 30 days are up and you won’t be charged.
Do you know someone who is always in a hurry and can’t seem to take time for themselves? We all do. I would suggest checking out giving an Audible Membership as a gift. It is a great gift idea for someone who is always on the go.
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. A book that will change your life. It answers the question, Why do some people have everything and others struggle? The answer is simple, they know the secret. It has changed my life and can change yours.
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. This is an oldie but goodie that is full of relevant life lessons. It is a book that you hear speaker after speaker referred to. Successful people all have the same mentality and know you have to change the way you think to be successful. Only one percent of people set goals.
Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind And Defy The Odds by David Goggins. I really enjoyed reading this book and I found it very relatable. If you want to become more than you are today, read this book. After you finish there will be no excuses. David is just an ordinary guy who made the decision to be extraordinary and was determined.
The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. A must-read for anyone wanting to change their habits. A great book for managers and leaders. Covey teaches you how to transform your thoughts to not on help you, but also to help others. These are 7 principles to definitely incorporate into your life.
I appreciate every like, follow, comment and share. Keep’em coming.