Are You Switched On or Off?
Jun 10, 2024
On Tuesday, I met one of my new neighbors, Sarah, on my daily walk. A few people who know us both mentioned they thought we might become friends, so I was excited to cross paths with her.
Sarah and I immediately hit it off as she told me about her recent travels to Asia and her personal training business. I told her about The VA Connection®, Greg, and our kids (including the chickens). She said, “Wow. You’re switched on.”
I had never heard that expression before, and thought, that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. I’m switched on. I love that.
And she’s right. I’m doing work that I love. I am in a loving and supportive marriage. Our kids are healthy. I take time to explore my interests and hobbies. Life is good.
It hasn’t always been this way, but these five steps will help you flip your switch on:
- Take have to out of your vocabulary. You give up all your power when you say I have to do something. You don’t actually have to do anything. Sure, not doing certain things, like paying taxes, has consequences. But ultimately, you decide your actions. Try reframing your mindset by saying, "I get to..." or "I want to..." and see how that goes. I bet you’ll feel more in charge.
- Take action to quit the job you hate. Get busy thinking about what you could do to make money instead of commuting to a job you don’t like or working with people who make you crazy. For me, that meant becoming a Virtual Assistant. My love of learning new things, solving problems, and working at home with lots of different people was a fit. And I was able to replace my six-figure income by year two.
- Pursue hobbies that excite you. Nothing switches me on more than a trip to our coops to visit our chickens. I love to read about them, take them snacks, and spoil them rotten. I’m planning the Virginia version of Chicken Village with lots of new chicks, elaborate gardens, and bird feeders. Just thinking about it lights me up.
- Make friends with people who are up to something. Spending time with people who are switched on, too, is a lot of fun. They will share your enthusiasm about your wins and cheer you on. You’ll be able to talk about your ideas and brainstorm together. People who are up to something are filled with possibilities and inspiration. You deserve that.
- Count your blessings. Take time to reflect on all the successes in your life. Keep a gratitude journal and make it a practice to talk about and celebrate your wins. Remember that what you focus on expands – so pay attention to what you love.
We all occasionally turn our switches off; it's human nature.
Thankfully, we have the power to get ourselves back on track. Living a life you love happens one action and one thought at a time. Don’t wait for a sign or reason to bring happiness back to your life. Make it happen now.
If you’re not already a member of our Facebook Group, The Virtual Assistant Connection, and would like to join, here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com
