Why Your Health & Personal Goals Affect Your Performance

By Bobby Kipper

Most of us think that performance has to do with activities with clear external standards, such as sports, education, and employment. 

But in order for Performance-Driven Thinking to become a reality in our lives, it must begin within us at a personal level. In fact, personal Performance-Driven Thinking can be an even greater challenge, because there are no easy external standards to measure our performance. 

Personal Performance Driven Thinking requires us to measure our personal growth and success ratio according to our own internal standards. 

We all have personal areas in our lives that are critically important to each of us. They include 1) personal health, 2) personal goals, 3) personal relationships, and 4) personal finance. 

This week we discuss personal health and personal goals. Next week’s newsletter will focus on personal relationships and finance. 

Performance Driven Thinking and Your Health 

Performance-Driven Thinking relates to your health just as much as it relates to your professional life. 

Our personal health depends greatly on our personal attention to the details within our control to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle. 

During the last decade, through advances in medical science and prevention messaging, we all already know a number of things we could do to make ourselves healthier. 

The question of performance comes in when we look at our society and ask, “Why do some people work to live a healthy lifestyle, while others do not?” 

Performance in terms of a healthy lifestyle is not just for those who participate in athletic competition. It is clearly something all of us should desire. When you go to work, you will recognize and be informed of the risk factors that can get you into trouble in your job. 

How much more do we need to know the risk factors that will lead us toward disease and perhaps an unnecessarily early death?

Many individuals in our society, who overemphasize performance in external activities such as work, school, or sports, may not realize the importance of Performance-Driven Thinking in their personal life, which means their overall health and physical capability to perform will suffer. 

Ignoring the importance of performance in our personal lives within the area of health would be similar to going into an athletic event without the right equipment. 

Your personal performance is greatly tied to your ability to take care of yourself. Some of you reading this book need to revisit your personal health decisions, which will only lead to better performance in every area of your life. 

Smoking, overeating, and unhealthy addictions are just a few of the factors that interfere with Performance-Driven Thinking. 

The way we take care of ourselves is clearly a matter of personal choice and performance. 

Performance Driven Thinking and Personal Goals 

The next area we will examine in the context of Performance-Driven Thinking is personal goal setting. 

What exactly do we mean by personal goals? 

When you were born, your parents had a number of personal goals for you. 

They began with your first steps, when everyone waited with baited breath for you to finally stop crawling and learn to walk. 

From there, the goal was learning to speak. Parents and grandparents alike could not wait for you to say your first words. 

From that point on, you were put on an automatic goal-setting pattern to journey up what could be called the educational mountain. 

This goal-setting pattern existed because in each grade you attended in school, you had to achieve certain standards in order to succeed. This continued until you completed the final step in your formal education—whether it was high school, college, graduate school, or any other level of higher education, and decided what you were going to do with your talents and abilities in the world. 

This is when Performance-Driven Thinking becomes extremely important. 

You Choose Your Goals 

Up to this point, your institution of learning and its leadership had set your performance goals for you. But after you achieve those educational performance goals, it’s time to move toward the personal goals you must set for yourself. 

While trusted individuals and coaches, both in life and in work, can encourage and guide you in setting your personal goals, the responsibility is clearly your own. 

So Performance-Driven Thinking becomes most relevant to our personal lives when we realize that goal setting is not just intended for education or work. 

Long-term successful performance can be clearly tied to an individual’s ability to set personal performance goals within their own lives without an outside mandate. 

Many of us have had ideas about things that we can do within our own lives to increase our personal performance. But what tends to hold us back is the inability to set specific goals and initiatives that will help improve that personal performance. 

For example, many individuals after retirement age decide to go back to school for some kind of formal education. Clearly these individuals do not need this specific degree or certification as a work requirement. They decided to pursue a degree of higher learning to satisfy a personal, not a professional goal. 

This is clearly a result of Performance-Driven Thinking. These individuals, many of whom have retired and are on Social Security, wanted to achieve this particular goal for personal reasons, and they found the time, money, and energy to complete this goal. 

Personal goals and Performance-Driven Thinking go hand in hand, due to the mere fact that once you become an adult, no one can force you to set personal goals. 

But what we do know is that in order to achieve peak personal performance, setting specific personal goals must be a vital part of who we are and how we operate. 

Some individuals don’t set personal goals simply because they fear not meeting them. 

If you find yourself avoiding goal setting out of the fear of failure, then it’s time to make failure your ally! 

You can truly become a Performance-Driven Thinker by setting some form of personal goal outside of your work requirements. 

True Performance-Driven Thinkers embrace personal goal setting and enjoy the satisfaction of reaching beyond their current state and growing in their personal lives. 

So, when you are thinking about performing at a high level, remember to be aware of your personal health and your personal goals also. 

Reaching your goals in these two areas of your life can help you perform at a higher level and reach your overall goals faster. 

Origin of Valentine’s Day

Do you ever wonder how things get started? As February 14th approaches - with stores filled with heart shaped candy, commercials for expensive jewelry, restaurants packed with reservations - I have a sense that’s not how it started. I just had to know more. I find it helpful to start with word etymology. 

In this case, according to the latin dictionary defines the adjective “valens” or “valentis” means “influential; powerful/potent/effective; severe; strong; vigorous/healthy/robust’. Those words are intense and attractive, so it makes sense that “Valentine” became a very popular name, especially between the second and eighth centuries A.D. Since there were so many “Valentines” it is difficult to pinpoint a single “St. Valentine”.

Research seems to instead lead to Geoffrey Chaucer, an English poet. Prior to his poem “Parliament of Foules” in the late 14th century, there are no references to Valentine’s Day being celebrated. The actual publication of the work is unknown, it is believed to have been written for a royal engagement or wedding. The poem has three parts: the writer’s commentary and two dream sequences. Here’s a modern translation of the old English version. 

Analysis of the entire work is beyond the scope of this post, but this poetry review does a nice job of explaining the three parts of the poem, how they fit together and their historical context. I was most interested in the third part of the poem which is the discussion among the birds - or Parliament of the Fowl. It reminded me a bit of George Orwell’s Animal Farm farmyard banter.

In the poem, Nature presides over a bird “Parliament” and the topic appears to be about love and springtime mating. She holds a female eagle in her hand - the “prize” several male eagles seek. A discussion among the various bird species that are represented ensues, and then quickly deteriorates into a shouting match with insults flying. Nature harshly silences the flock to restore order and calls for a vote. 

There is a discussion about the “common good”. The fowl have differing opinions about how the contest should be decided. The goose insists the female eagle should be the decision maker. Ultimately, the contest remains unresolved and the decision is made to postpone the outcome to a future date. Does that sound familiar?

In my view, the poem has much more to do with philosophy and how our unique experiences influence the way we resolve conflict. I was not expecting the apparent source of a commercialized holiday that purportedly celebrates love, to demonstrate that little has changed in 600 years when it comes to resolving parliamentary issues.

Happy Valentine’s Day. Let’s all have some chocolate!  - Dawn

Retire Abroad: Increase Your Quality of Life and Decrease Living Costs

(Written By Dawn Fleming, published 2/11/22 at babyboomer.com)

Redefining Retirement

In 1860, life expectancy was age 40. Now, it is 80 and projected to be 85 by 2050. There is also an exponentially growing number of us living to age 100. This dramatic lengthening of our lifetime is a beautiful gift. In midlife and retirement, what we experience today differs greatly from what our parents and grandparents experienced. We are living longer so we have more time. There isn’t a clearly defined set of rules, expectations, or responsibilities. Life has changed, but we lack a roadmap of possibilities and are on our own to try to navigate our future.

Retiring used to mean you no longer had to go to work. Today many who are ‘retired’ are still working either by necessity or by choice. Retirement is being completely redefined. It is not the beginning of the end, or simply a continuation of the life we had before. While there may be a short period of rest and relaxation, most people want more. In fact, today’s retirees see retirement as a new chapter in life, their next adventure. Retirees do gain some freedom from work stress, commuting and office drama. The pressures of working and raising a family have passed, but other stressors can appear or remain, particularly financial worry.

Overcoming Negative Stereotypes

Stereotypes of what this stage of life is like are inaccurate and not helpful. Studies published by AARP show negative portrayal of adults 50+ is much more common than negative portrayal of younger adults. While this demographic comprises 51% of consumer buying power and 45% of the population, they’re severely underrepresented on both the big screen and on TV. Instead of depicting older adults as positive and happy, retirees are often stereotyped as out of touch, technologically incompetent and dependent. These stereotypical messages make it more difficult for us to imagine the inspired possibilities for the next chapter of life.

The truth is ageism abounds in the United States’ culture, which values youth. There’s an obvious bias against older people, and some have called it the last socially acceptable prejudice. At what specific age do we become “old” anyway? Middle age (which was “old” in the last century) can be a very difficult period to navigate. “Middlessence” is a four-decade-long period of time, and we haven’t been given the tools or the training necessary to navigate the frequent life transitions we experience during this period of our life.

None of us receive a manual to guide us through this challenging period, nor is there any sort of rite of passage initiation. We’re on our own to keep learning and growing so that we may thrive in these times of constant and rapid change. We don’t want to just live longer, we want to live longer as a healthier, happier member of society with the freedom to make our own choices and chart a course toward our desired future. It is empowering to live in a culture that values and respects its elders, which is typical outside the U.S.

Mindset Matters

Research shows that older people with a positive mindset on aging, who feel worthy, happy and hopeful as they get older, lived 7.5 years longer than those with a negative perspective about aging. One of the intangible benefits of living overseas I have heard repeatedly from my podcast guests is feeling young and alive. That wonderful feeling of being vibrant and youthful is one reason we moved to Mexico. Before that, we lived in a much older community in Florida, where we found vibrancy lacking. It wasn’t a good fit for us.

Being in a totally new and foreign environment is an exciting adventure. Recall the feeling of going to your first state fair or your first exotic vacation or some other life experience that left a big impression on you. Recall the sense of wonder, the sense of joy of exploring new places, having experiences you never had before. Remember the sense of adventure, new discoveries, the wonder of it all, and imagine feeling that again, feeling young and totally alive once again. What is that worth?

Geoarbitrage: Increase Your Quality of Life and Decrease Living Costs

According to The Federal Reserve, among households aged 45-54, a staggering 42% have no retirement savings and the median retirement savings is less than $100,000. Geoarbitrage is a brilliant financial strategy. It simply means saving money by moving to a lower cost area while maintaining the same level of income. Not only can it reduce your living costs and increase your quality of life, it is a very smart long-term financial strategy. Housing costs eat up the lion’s share of income for most middle-class earners. If you can reduce housing expenses by 50% or more that has a profound economic impact.

Perhaps no other financial strategy can reduce your living expenses by 50% as effectively as retiring abroad. Doing so means it is unnecessary for you to sacrifice a great quality life now in order to (hopefully) have a bright economic future someday. Such a strategy can provide you with the opportunity to travel the world, live in beautiful places and dine out frequently. You can enjoy personal services such as massages, housekeeping and many others at a fraction of U.S. prices.

About the Author

Dawn Fleming has literally been there and done that, and is now living her very best life. With her husband Tom, she owns and operates Overseas Life Redesign, a global coaching and consulting company that encourages others to discover their dreams and turn them into reality just like she did. Her podcast shares success stories of international retirement as well as advice for listeners seeking to leave their comfort zone and experience life abroad. Her new book, Claim Your Dream Life: How to Retire in Paradise on a Shoestring Budget, comes out March 29.

Visiting the Mexican Caribbean During Covid

By Cy Witherspoon - January 8, 2021

My name is Cy Witherspoon, and I have worked at IMG since 2013.  Prior to moving to Indianapolis, I lived in the Riviera Maya area of Mexico, specifically Cancún, for three years.  On a recent visit back, I had my first international travel experience since the start of the pandemic. During my trip, I was able to document all of the things to do in a place that I love and once called home.

Upon arriving at the airport for my departure, I was quite surprised at how similar air travel’s “new normal” was to life before the pandemic.  Once on the plane, the main difference is that you are required to wear a mask for the entire flight unless eating or drinking. There is also no formal in-flight drink, snack, or meal service.  Instead, prior to takeoff, the flight attendants supplied each passenger with a zip lock bag containing a bottle of water, a cookie, and a sanitary wipe.  The biggest shock to me was that the flight was completely full, and, of the four flights that we took on this trip, there weren’t any flights with restricted seating.

The Mexican Riviera Maya, or Mexican Caribbean, is a beautiful and awe-inspiring sight—even from the air. It’s the only portion of Mexico which resides in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea.  Cancún is located in Quintana Roo (kin-TAH-nə ROH), one of the 32 Mexican states, and sits at the beginning of the second largest natural Coral Reef in the world, known as the Mesoamerican Reef. The reef begins North of Cancún then runs all the way down to Chetumal, before going into Belize then continuing to Guatemala and Honduras. The Mesoamerican Reef spans over 620 Miles (1,000 kilometers) and is regarded as a premier spot for water activities such as fishing, snorkeling, and especially scuba diving.  

Due to the proximity of the region to the Tropic of Cancer, the Mexican Caribbean has a very humid environment. I would strongly recommend traveling with light, breathable clothing, and comfortable sandals (with straps) are a must to not overheat while walking around the city or its beaches.  

Apart from the plethora of water activities, there are a number of amazing marketplaces, stores, and shops offering everything from large seashells to standard tourist items such as clothing and drinking glasses.  Tequila and silver are very popular and common commodities for the region and the country.  When entering one of the many open-air marketplaces such as Mercado 23 (Market 23) in Cancún or Avenida 5 (5th Ave) in Playa Del Carmen, it’s best that you haggle or bargain.  The ability to haggle is almost an unspoken art form in the region. Most shopkeepers or employees won’t respect you if you don’t haggle with them.  If you choose not to haggle, then you risk getting taken advantage of and paying too much for the item. Go HERE for the rest of the article.

Cy Witherspoon, Producer Recruitment, Training & Digital Support with International Medical Group 

Loving Early Retirement in Puerto Vallarta

By Robert Nelson - January 19, 2022

One of the great benefits of a much lower cost of living in Mexico is the opportunity to retire early. International globe trotters Wayne and Roxane Jared are still in their active fifties and loving early retirement in Puerto Vallarta.

We could have stayed in the U.S., but we would have worked longer just because of the cost of living,” Roxane told us, “but Mexico made it happen a lot sooner.”

The couple, both information technology professionals, first considered retirement in Colorado and New Mexico, but after spending time in Mexico on both its east and west coasts, decided to head south of the border to a new life of adventure made possible by a cost of living that is more than half of what early retirement in the U.S. would have been for them.

Wayne Jared, 58, was born and raised in Montreal and earned a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Brunswick. His software development career led him to work in Montreal, Toronto and then to the U.S. where he worked in Buffalo, New York for 12 years. There, he started Inspired Design, a customer relationship management (CRM) firm that was named one of the fastest growing private companies in 2000. Jared sold it three years later to a company in Indianapolis. He moved there to manage the transition for three years before joining a security company.

A confirmed entrepreneur, Jared, exited the security firm to start an access control company, which he sold in 2012, but continued working for them for a few years. His last hurrah as a full-time employee was just last year. He said goodbye to his job as vice president of engineering for Qumulex, an Indiana-based video and access control company.

His wife Roxane, who just turned 55, grew up in Rennes, France, about 60 miles from the sea in Brittany. Attracted by the information technology opportunities in France and the U.S., she graduated from France’s National Institute of Applied Sciences (INSA) in Rennes with a master’s degree.

“I decided to go to INSA because it is a famous engineering school in France,” she said, “and I opted for computer science because I wanted to move to the U.S. and it was a good way to get a visa to work there.”

After school, she worked for Alcatel Business Systems and Thomson Electronics in France before landing a job in the Indianapolis northern suburb of Carmel in 1998. After resigning from her first job in the U.S., she signed on with Liberty Mutual as a computer system engineer. That led to a new job at her old company Thomson Electronic, which by then had changed its name to Technicolor. The end of the corporate road for her was back at Liberty Mutual last year until the lure of Mexico early retirement became too strong to ignore. Go HERE for the rest of the article.

Robert Nelson and Felice Arden Nelson are Founders and Publish The Expat Guide to Living in Mexico online magazine. Look for his Overseas Life Redesign podcast interview released in February.