“A fresh start isn’t a new place, it’s a new mindset.”

~ Unknown

Well, we’re a month and a half into this new year, and I’ll admit, I’ve had a slow start with my regular messages. Admittedly, I needed a break, and a bit of a mindset shift, which I explain in the video and blog post below. Make sure you check it out, then share at least one thing in your life that rocks right now, because we could all use an uplift.

Well, where the heck have I been? Before Christmas I took a break from these videos to update my behind-the-scenes work programs, update my studio, and just take a break. I thought I’d be back at it by mid-January at the latest, but my motivation had other ideas.

Hey, Michelle Cederberg here checking in, with a message about motivation, monotony, and pandemic pandering.

One of the reasons I delayed creating a new video is because quite frankly, I was tired of talking about the damn pandemic …and Covid coping… and navigating toward the new normal… but here we are, still in it a full year later, with all sorts of new feelings about vaccine rollouts, Covid variants, pandemic restrictions, you name it. And while I haven’t yet completely hit that COVID WALL, I’m leaning heavily against it wishing we were on the other side of this thing. So, what do we do?

A bunch of years ago I wrote a little book called If Your Life Sucks It’s Your Fault. Yes, the title is provocative, but trust me when I say I didn’t write it because I’m a heartless human being. The contents are compassionate. In fact, in it I state very clearly that the title of the book isn’t “It’s Your Fault Bad Things Happen to You.” The book is actually about taking responsibility for our life when things get tough, then doing all we can to make it better, no matter what shit we’re up against.

Yup, sometimes life sucks. Like right now for instance. I can’t count how many times – in the last week even – I’ve thought, or heard myself say GAWD, this sucks in relation to my work, the pandemic, the lack of a sunny vacation, the monotony, my pudgy mid-section, the freezing cold weather!!! I’m sure you can relate, but where will that kind of talk get any of us?

So today I am proclaiming war against unproductive suck-talk and suck-think and maybe you want to come along! When something isn’t working the way it should, or life isn’t feeling very good, and your LIFE-SUCKS-self-talk is in overdrive, here’s three ways to shift the narrative:

• • Change something in your approach. You may not have control over the pandemic, but you do have control over many things in your life. If something isn’t working for you as you wait and navigate toward next, do something different. With work, ask for what you need to make your it productive and sustainable (less meetings, more flexible hours, better technology). At home, try something new to break the monotony. Reinvigorate your fitness routine, plan a stay-cation, do something nice for yourself every damn day. Get creative and have some fun with it. I just bought hockey skates (which I’ve wanted for a long time) and I’m going skating on Sunday, polar vortex be damned! Tomorrow night I’m taking an online art class with my bestie. It’s good to have things to look forward to, especially when forward is this week and not next And, if you’re really struggling, ask for help if you need it. The COVID wall is real, and I don’t want you to keep hitting your head against it, because that’s going to hurt after awhile.

• • Increase your resilience against the things that suck. Sometimes, it is what it is, and you can’t walk away from it or change your approach. If you take care of yourself and your physical and mental health, coping mechanisms will strengthen, and you’ll be able to push back against the stress, and you’ll care a little less. Move every day, eat a bit healthier, drink a bit less wine (and more water), prioritize sleep, and whether you’re working from home, or outside of it, take your damn breaks during the day. Your physical machinery needs your attention now more than ever. Take care of it, even in small steps.

• • Change your attitude. It’s been a tough freakin’ year, we’re still not through this, and we don’t yet know when it will end, but the outcome will still be the same whether you choose to face it with a crappy attitude or a positive one…and I think a positive one would actually be more fun.And here’s a thought that I really want you to wrap your head around. What would it look like if you chose to give the pandemic less power? Don’t let it steal your joy. Life is happening right now, and your goals and plans don’t need to be put on hold until we’re through this (whatever this is.)

So, ask yourself: What are you grateful for because of all of this? What have you learned about yourself that you’re proud of? And what do you need for yourself so you can stay focused, energized and positive in the weeks and months ahead?  Don’t put that stuff on hold.

Life is good my friends, and tough times don’t have to diminish that truth. If you need a boost, you can buy If Your Life Sucks AND my new book The Success-Energy Equation via successenergybook.com. They’ll both provide insights and ideas that’ll lift your spirits and boost your motivation. I guarantee it.

While you’re here, subscribe to my social channels, check out my Virtual Speaker Demo, and then share this message with anyone who might need to hear it.

And hey, share in the comments ONE THING in your life that rocks right now. We could all use a bit more good news.

Until next time I’m Michelle Cederberg reminding you we’ve got one chance to do this life, I say Dare to Live It Big, and dare to look for the good, every day, everywhere, because it’s there. #CarpeFreakinDiem

Connect with me to chat about engaging virtual sessions for your team to boost resilience, manage stress and drive success, COVID be damned. And check out my virtual speaker demo here.

To purchase your copy of The Success-Energy Equation: How to Regain Focus, Recharge Your Life, and Really Get Sh!t Done visit Amazon, or for a signed copy go to successenergybook.com. OR, contact me about bulk order discounts for your whole team!

Turns out it’s an accidental pandemic survival guide that will help you focus on what’s truly important for you in work and life …global health crises or not.