About this blog

What is this blog about

Finding fulfilment – developing a happier, more satisfying and rewarding life.

To that end the blog posts focus on ideas, hints, tips and  exercises  to help facilitate change. The emphasis is on practical, skills learning rather than psycho-babble! The initial focus has been  on building self confidence as I see that as the core attribute in whatever you choose to do with your life.

Lifestyle Design has become a somewhat fashionable of late, probably for the wrong reasons (like you only have to work 4 hours a week!). But it does highlight how many people are dissatisfied with their lives, drifting through adulthood thinking “Is that It?”

Few people function perfectly or arrive in adulthood with all the skills they need to make the most of their one life. Making changes can be tough, particularly without help.

Who are You?

I’m David Rogers.  I’m male, married with 3 daughters, and have live most of my 51 years on the South Coast of England.  I was born in Bournemouth, which remains my “home-town”

I have been an Occupational Therapist for 22 years, predominantly working in the field of mental health. This has ranged from Rehabilitation Units,  Intensive care and Acute Hospitals, Work Rehabilitation, Community Working and Prison.

I’m currently (happily) employed full time by what I like to refer to as the “National Health Service”.  Whilst my training and work experiences influence my thinking and beliefs, this blog is not about me delivering Occupational Therapy (or any other therapy for that matter)

Why this Blog

I’ve always enjoyed writing and in the days when my verbal communication was poor (mainly through low confidence) I could at least do myself justice by my written communication.  Combined with my interest in self development, starting a blog seemed an interesting way to both develop my skills and share ideas with others.

I started blogging at the end of March 2007. Sometimes my posts have veered off topic or had only a tenuous link to self confidence or self esteem. I’ve learnt that in blogging you are sharing a part of yourselves. Not so much my opinions, but my interpretation of events, ways of doing things, ways of seeing the world.

A blog should also be driven by feedback, the comments from the readers. Its taken me a while to adjust to that form of dialogue, but please do take part and add your thoughts.

Other interests

Photography, cooking, geocaching, walking, swimming in the sea and running. And I’m just learning to play tennis

Since my teens I have supported the work of Amnesty International and I am actively involved through my local group.

Considering the amount of time I spend on it, I should add twitter as well!

And my family …

Favourites

Forever changing, but favourite book:-

Flow, the Psychology of Happiness by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

This is just an excuse to say I write in English English, not American English. When I started this blog I did follow the advice of someone or other who suggested “American” was the way to go, as writing “English” would put some people off.

Sod that! As odd spelling puts me off when I’m writing, I’ll stick to what I feel comfortable with. If you find a few additional vowels in words like favourite or colour spoils your enjoyment, well, I’m sorry.

How can I help you?

If you are looking for a quick fix, spiritual advice or guidance on the Law of Attraction then you’ve come to the wrong place!

Self development for me largely revolves around acquiring skills such as good communication (assertiveness, confident speaking),  problem solving, goal setting, planning, concentration, self motivation, stress management – to name a few. Trust and faith in ones abilities (self confidence) and healthy self esteem are the foundations of self development, which is why they are the main focus.

One of my favourite quotes is by Viktor Frankl:-

Don’t aim at success – the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue as the unintended side effect of one’s personal dedication to a courses greater than oneself.

Disclosures and Disclaimer

There is more of this on the disclaimer page, but I need to reinforce four things:-

1) Nothing I write on this blog should be taken as professional advice.

2) As is the nature of a blog, I will link to other sites but take no responsibility for the content on those sites. Naturally I intend only to link to useful resources, but things aren’t always what they seem!!

3) Some links will be affiliate links, which mean I get a commission for any sales. Whilst the primary purpose of this blog isn’t to make a quick buck, I make no apologies for this.  The site costs money to run and we’ve got three daughters at University!

4) I write with the best of intent, but I’m human and (hopefully) so are you. I’m expressing my opinions in a field where there are usually no clear cut pathways or cast iron methods that work for everyone. If you disagree with me please say so, but be nice about it .