Ep – 88 Stop and Smell the Roses

Our monthly one-on-one conversation

Stop and smell the roses. No one knows where that phrase or sentence comes from. If you know, please leave me a comment below. I like discovering the origin story of some of our popular phrases and words.

I found that golfer Walter Hagen used the phrase frequently in my research. It makes sense that Walter is credited with helping Bobby Jones learn to control or deal with the stress of big-time golf.

For me, stopping and smelling the roses is a good reminder to slow down and appreciate where you are, where you have come from, and even where you are going. Too many times, grandpas and many other people have developed a kind of momentum where it is hard for us to hit pause. Even when you think you are relaxing and taking a minute, are you?

All of us need to learn to smell the roses. That pause we take is the best way I can think of truly allowing ourselves to appreciate the accomplishments in our lives. For most of us, our accomplishments are hidden and not celebrated in the way that maybe they should be public. Don’t get me wrong, we don’t need a special card for every little thing we do, but often there is no one around to congratulate us for our hard work.

Our spouses, friends, and other family members may occasionally acknowledge us, but do they know that you have been taking the stairs at work lately? Do they see you cutting out sugar or spending time each day writing that screenplay or novel? They may or may not. If you are like me, chances are you mention some of the things you are doing, but our little accomplishments get lost in the daily shuffle.

Let’s face it; sometimes, we don’t know how to communicate what might be a small victory from the outside is a massive win for us inside.

If you slow down once or twice a week to smell the roses, you need to use that time to celebrate your wins in your mind, no matter the size. This celebration helps set you up to keep moving forward toward your goals and your desired state of being, no matter what that is.

The other part of slowing down and smelling the roses is that it allows you to focus strategically on the challenges and opportunities in front of you. You may have started with a clear vision of how your week, month, and year would progress, but let’s face it, life happens.

Life happens. We know this, but if we don’t allow for course correction, ad hoc planning, or rallying tired troops (ourselves), we are on too tight a plan. Hitting the pause button lets us have a chance to check-in and think strategically about where we are and where we need to go next.

Others might have a different opinion, but I say using the pause button or smelling the roses is the perfect time to think and visualize what needs to happen next. There is plenty of time to write out goals, plans, action items, etc. but do this AFTER you stop and smell the roses. From that place of calm and positive energy, you WILL have a better frame of mind to create a winning plan.

How do you stop and smell the roses? What do you do to slow down and celebrate YOUR WINs and think about your next accomplishments? Leave me a comment below. I would love to learn what you are doing.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend. I want to share the good news about how everyone can grow and develop meaningful relationships.

Links

Click HERE to visit the Fascination Street Podcast – Remember to subscribe to this show. You will not regret it.

Click HERE to order your copy of The Success Principles

Click on this link to learn more about Peekabond.

Click on this link to learn and sign up for Readeo.

Affiliate Links

These are links to products and services that I highly recommend AND use. I do get a percentage of the purchases you make.

More than GrandMore Than Grand is an excellent resource for new grandparents AND parents. Listeners of The Cool Grandpa Podcast enjoy 10% off any fantastic products that More Than Grand provides by entering COOLGRANDPA10 at checkout. To visit More Than Grand, click HERE.

Intentional Grandfathering MasterclassGrandfathers have a unique and meaningful role to play in grandchildren’s development, yet they often find themselves behind the scenes, on the sidelines, or less engaged than they’d like to be. This masterclass delivers a playbook for helping grandfathers level up their influence and impact. Listeners to The Cool Grandpa Podcast can receive 40% off this course by using Cool40 at checkout.

Grandparents academyFounded in 2011 by Aaron Larsen as a way to honor his grandparents, GrandparentsAcademy.com is the world’s first and only online academy dedicated to helping grandparents grow meaningful relationships and rich legacies with their loved ones.

My Grandpa’s Grandpa

When it is time for bed, Charlie’s grandpa tucks Charlie in. Charlie asks his grandpa many questions about his grandpa’s grandpa. Charlie’s grandpa shares a magical moment as he introduces Charlie to his great-grandpa through fun memories.

 

This is my children’s book that was created to entertain and inspire conversations about other family members that the children may not have had the opportunity to have met. – TO CELEBRATE FATHER’S DAY, I AM OFFERING A LIMITED-TIME DISCOUNT OF 20% FOR “MY GRANDPA’S GRANDPA”

 

 

If you prefer an eBook, you can download the Kindle version by clicking on this LINK.

Recent Podcasts

EP – 150 Becoming a Sage

EP – 150 Becoming a Sage

Our conversation with Chris Bruno Chris Bruno from ReStory Counseling joins us today to discuss men entering their second stage of life. We discuss how this second stage of life can be the most powerful in our story. While we will undoubtedly experience decline in...

read more
EP – 149 AdventuRetired

EP – 149 AdventuRetired

Our conversation with Curt and Cindy Liljedahl This week's conversation is with a very cool couple. Curt and Cindy join us to talk about the importance of adventures as part of our retired lives. We hear a great story about their experience of becoming grandparents....

read more
EP – 148 The Importance of Having a Senior Living Plan

EP – 148 The Importance of Having a Senior Living Plan

Our conversation with Annalee Kruger Working with your parents or loved ones on managing their aging process can be challenging. It makes you ask personal and possibly embarrassing questions about every part of someone's life. These topics are often areas that "we"...

read more