Unstoppable

There are some words that I like, and my newest one is "Unstoppable". I think it is the perfect word as we face the new year. The moment you become unstoppable, greatness happens, so let's go into 2024 feeling that way. 

I hope everyone reading this feels unstoppable, powerful in their own right. I have always described myself as tough. A tough person will push themselves when they don't feel like it. I realize I am not physically tough, but I am better described as life tough.    

                                                       

I read a long list of ways to help a person become unstoppable. I pulled the ones that had the most meaning to me. I have already written about most of them, so let's just look at this as an end of year recap. 

1. Believe in yourself. I always think that if you can read you can do anything. Being able to google, does provide us with so many new abilities. It gives us a sense that it is possible to accomplish anything. Believing in yourself and your ability is empowering. You have to be believable, if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will. So, let's just be "believable" in 2024.

2. Stay positive. Negative thoughts hold you back, whereas positive thoughts propel you forward. You can't lead a positive life until you recognize how negative you are. Maybe it is time to do a check list as to what makes you negative. 

3. Have a strong purpose. I like to ask retired people what they like to do in retirement. Often it is, "I like to walk". Others say, "I look after my grandchildren". Being involved with family is a strong purpose for many that are retired. Volunteering is another purpose and of course travel and going south for the winter. You need to have something that drives you in life or in other words, a purpose.

4. Set goals. Goals mean you have something to work for and keep you motivated. There is such power in the written word, and you may need a nice journal to write your goals in. If you are anything like me, letting a goal wonder around in your head may mean it will get forgotten or not accomplished. My goal is to follow my dreams in 2024. 

5. Be courageous. Being courageous means you are not afraid to take risks and go after what you want. It takes considerable courage to face your fears. We all have fears about something, not being successful is one of them. Often the only thing we are successful in is to successfully talk ourselves out of doing it. When I decide to be courageous and do something I remind myself of my life lesson. It is; what I decide may not turn out the way I want, but it will turn out the way it is meant to be. 

6. Be prepared. My question here is, "for what". We all know people who are very flexible and when their lives are turned upside down in a split second, they are unstoppable. They just stop, drop and roll with their lives. To be unstoppable, I think you need to really consider what you have in your life that you need to prepare for. Since this is a retirement blog, those that are retired need to think about making your life what you want it to be. Being unstoppable in retirement takes preparation. Being financially secure and creating a retired "to do" list is the start of a great preparation plan.  

7. Be persistent. In those tough moments keep pushing, never give up on something you want. The words, "there's nothing you can do" never cross my lips. I feel there is always something that can be done to bring resolution or at the very least make the situation better. 

8. Don't let failure stop you. Failure is part of life and is the biggest lesson we are meant to learn. I am not big on failure, but it does happen. If things don't go your way, don't give up, learn from it, and move on.

9. Be a problem solver. I feel this is where I shine. I am usually successful in finding solutions to a problem. Staying calm is how I like to roll; it has served me well. Some people think they are problem solvers but really, they like to talk about a problem and discuss their many options to a solution. Deciding on a solution and making it happen is how you solve a problem. There are talkers and doers when it comes to problem solving. A practice I follow is: if I decide on a solution, I don't change my mind, a decision is a decision. I go forward with it and tweak as necessary. 

10.Have a strong support system. Everyone needs people in their lives that will believe in and support you. If your support system is not providing the support you need, maybe it is time to redo your support system. Family has always been great for support or for some a lack of. Who else supports you? Support can come from being involved in such things as book clubs, card partners, gym buddies, coffee group or other neat activities.     

11. Stand up for what you believe in. Be confident in your beliefs and people will listen. When you stand up for what you believe in, it means that it is important to you and you aren't afraid to go after it. Having confidence is often hard to pull off. If you look and act confidently, you are believable, and others will believe in you as well.  

12. Be passionate. A passionate person has a fire burning inside that drives them. We have all had those conversations where all we do is listen. The person talking goes on and on making their point. They are passionate! I have come to realize being passionate is individual, not everyone feels the same burning decision, no matter how much you talk. But I love it when people are over the moon about something new to them.

13. Be creative. It is important that you can come up with new ideas and solutions to any problem. The best way to do this is to think outside the box. Rarely am I ever in the box, so this one is easy for me. I have heard people say they aren't creative and then I see what they can do. Acknowledge your creativity because it is there. 

14. Self-discipline. If you have a goal, stay on the course and you will achieve it. I have found in retirement; my discipline is not the same. I need to grab onto some unstoppable discipline and go for it in 2024.  

I would be foolish to even think the following needs to be explained. 

What makes you unstoppable? Women are "Unstoppable" when they decide. Some are pushed into a corner and must come out fighting. Some have no other choice but to move forward. Whatever is stopping you from being you, push it aside, stop talking about it and go for it. In closing here comes one of my favorite things to say, "You've got this, Girl". Bring on 2024, we are set and ready to take you on!