In Part 2 of the Lessons on Digital Isolation and resultant loneliness, Deborah shares 4 practical tips to get you out of your digital cocoon and back to making some real human connections again. You will feel SO much better, both physically and emotionally. You can also read the article 👉👉👉http://www.lionessesofafrica.com/blog/2019/2/14/can-i-get-a-connection-3-tips-to-overcoming-lonelinessnbsp-in-a-digital-age

Are you perhaps allowing technology and your digital life to become a replacement for IRL connections? Deborah talks about how technology could be contributing to feelings of loneliness and isolation and could be depriving us of human connection. Do a quick stock take of who is important in your life that you haven’t seen in a long time. Is technology creating a false sense of intimacy and connection?

Have you ever noticed a pattern repeating itself in your life? Perhaps in your relationships or your career? Deborah invites you to take stock of these experiences and ask ‘what is this trying to teach me?’. Listen to the expression of your soul in that moment. That inner voice, your heart, knows what to do and what is necessary for you to evolve and grow. If you listen to your fears and your ego, you’re just going to be stuck - Repeating the same experiences until you learn the lesson and move on.

Your daily and weekly schedule should reflect the priorities and things that are truly important to you. Deborah invites you to examine your schedule and see how much time you have scheduled for family or fun or fitness and to then make adjustments accordingly. In saying ‘no’ to activities that drain our energy, we are able to create more time to say YES to the things that add joy and balance to our lives.

Deborah invites you to learn to distinguish between real feelings in a specific moment and question whether the accompanying thoughts and beliefs, are really true. Chances are, the feelings are real but the thoughts are not. You can learn to flip the script and change the thoughts so that the feeling isn’t entirely overwhelming.

Deborah invites you to take a look at all the things on your ‘to do’ list and to examine how many of those are actually YOUR responsibility and how many are other people’s problems and responsibilities that have now become yours to solve. It’s ok to be more selfish with your time and to say NO to the people and activities that drain your energy. It’s the only way to have more balance in your life and to make sure you’re putting yourself, first. You cannot pour from an empty cup..

If you have identified goals you want to focus on this year, Deborah invites you to use GROW coaching to become un-stuck and to use Robin Sharma’s 90/90/1 Principle for exceptional growth. GROW coaching was discussed in Ep 21 and worksheets are available for download on deborahhartung.com. You can also read Deborah’s article for Thrive Global on creating more balance by design.

In order to create more balance in our lives, or embark on a personal journey to create the life we dream of, completing a ‘wheel of life’ assessment is a very useful tool. It allows us to see a visual representation of areas of our lives that need improving. A powerful tool to gain insights and to start a transformation journey with.

How others behave and act towards us, is never about us and always about them. Yet we are so arrogant and self absorbed that we are quick to make things personal and to become defensive or hostile. Deborah invites you to practice the Second Agreement (from The 4 Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz) and to approach all people with more empathy and understanding, removing yourself and your issues from the equation, in order to build better interpersonal relationships.

Stress and burnout don’t happen overnight and the signs are there if we just look for them. Headaches, digestive problems, changes to eating or sleeping habits or lack of interest in sex - all signs that you’re headed for burnout and need to make a change. Deborah encourages you to listen to your body, trust your intuition and find something that feeds your soul and doesn’t just line your pockets. No amount of money is worth your physical health or your overall wellbeing.