It’s so easy to get caught up in the mundane tasks of our day-to-day
lives. Get up, shower, eat breakfast, go to work, drive home, make dinner, sprinkle
in some family/friend time, go to bed, and get up and do it all over again the
next day. After awhile, our vision becomes completely focused on routine and
it’s easy to lose sight of the big picture. Stress can narrow your outlook on
life even more. As legal professionals, we see this a lot. Circumstances begin
to feel out of control and then suddenly- that’s all we can see. Its easy to
feel like you’re not actually living a
life at all.
At The Law
Office of Pamela J. Helton we believe in living a full-filled life no
matter what routine or obstacles life throws your way. While we cannot erase responsibilities
or obstacles, there are ways to find balance and enjoy life again. So how do
you spruce things up and avoid obstacles all together? Well, here is our
advice…
1.
Plan Ahead – Planning ahead can
save you money and stress. What types of things can you prepare for in advance?
Its helpful to plan things ahead such as pre-paid vacations, debt-reduction
plans, road maps for accomplishing goals, financial planning for big events
like retirement, and even your death. That might seem gloomy but its not about
“if” you’ll pass. That’s a given- you plan ahead so that it saves loves one the
sorrow. Then once the Will is in place, put it away and check it off the to-do
list. If something arises that you haven't planned for, don’t panic- just look
for solutions and ask for help. Often, we provide referrals for various
services that provide solutions to a variety of problems, so don’t sweat asking
for help or advice when needed.
2.
Go - Sounds simple enough,
doesn't it? If you know you need an education to improve your lifestyle- then
Go. It doesn’t happen overnight, but at least find a good starting place. It’s
always a process, and the hardest part is always getting the process rolling.
For others, you may find yourself in a bad situation that has gone on long
enough. When that time has come ... go. If you're an employer, don't keep an
employee who is past their expiration date just because you like them or you
don't want the hassle of termination. If a friendship has become toxic, end it rather
than letting the toxicity spread into other areas of your life.
3
Listen to your heart or intuition- People often get themselves into bad situations and
when I ask: “What were you thinking?” They usually knew it was the wrong choice
beforehand but felt obligated or compromised for a variety of reasons. If your
gut feeling is warning you- then listen. One common financial mistake made is Co-Signing
for kids or relatives. Been there- done that- paid the price! I know you love
them-so love them enough to live their own lives responsibly. There is nothing
wrong with wanting to help your kids get started in life or bail out a loved
one during hard times- just do it in a manner that reduces your long-term risk
such as helping with a down payment, gifting money, giving your time, etc. No
co-signing, no long-term payments (your circumstances may change) and always
have contracts reviewed by an attorney.
4
Always Work - As individuals, we often
need to feel a sense of accomplishment or purpose. Working in a field of
interest can provide this satisfaction, but not always. Think bigger- working can
be on different projects, paid or unpaid. Working on fitness goal, a craft
project, a volunteer position, helping others, working as a team member to
local organizations such as PTO, Professional associations, church positions,
etc. are just a few examples. There is something full-filling about just
getting out and working on something that leads to accomplishments. Find
something you enjoy and do it. Be a productive member of society and you'll be
healthier and happier.
5
Go To Church - Don’t mean to sound
like your momma, but we are three pronged beings; body, mind, and soul. Find a
place where you can broaden your perspective and learn about that third aspect
of your being that is often neglected.
Life is full of routines and challenges that can be overwhelming
if we focus only on those aspects of life. Think bigger! We have to make an
effort to live our lives instead of simply going through the
motions of daily life. What suggestions do you have to make the most out your
life? We'd love to hear them. Share them with us in the comments. If you have
any questions or need any legal assistance, please give us a call 352-
243-9991.
