Getting started is the key!
This year, I’m trying to lose weight and get fit. Aren’t we all? Well, most of us are.
I’ve really struggled with this throughout my adult life, and it seems that the older I get the more difficult it is to turn around. This became even more difficult two years ago when I was seriously ill and went into a coma. Thankfully, the prayers of my family and friends helped and I was able to make a miraculous (literally!) recovery. The only real physical consequence of this illness is that I’m now a double ‘below the knee’ amputee. In spite of this, I believe that God has plans for me to succeed in life and that I can accomplish great things.
Therefore, I’ve set myself some goals that I’d like to achieve within the next few years. Some examples of these goals of mine include riding the coast-to-coast cycle route in the UK, climb a 4000m peak in the alps and to cycle up Mount Ventoux in France. These are ambitious targets, and nice dreams, but I want to make them real! And I’ve not just been imagining them, I’ve been working on the steps that I need to take for me to achieve them.
Getting started is the key! So how do I start training to climb an alpine peak? It starts with walking to my mate’s house. If I can’t walk to my mate’s house, then I’ve no chance of walking up a mountain! These are just small steps (no pun intended), but nevertheless, they are important, and after a lot of these small steps have accumulated, I will find that I have arrived at the destination, and it’s the same for you. The bible says, “Don’t despise the day of small beginnings” (Zechariah 4:10) and that’s so true. Whatever your quest is, get going on the journey, and be ok with taking small steps. Vincent van Gogh once said, “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.”
Another thing to remember is that everybody starts from a different starting point. The foundations of these goals were formed a year and a half ago where I had to learn how to walk again. This took a lot of willpower and perseverance, but by getting through that first challenge it has allowed me to have the confidence and the conviction to believe that I can tackle more challenges that are in front of me.
Tom Smith
Everyone is looking for more in life. At Global Church in York, we exist to help people find it (and much more!)
Our top ten tips for thriving during lockdown
Let's say it as it is, 2020 is weird! With everything that has happened, lockdowns and the world seemingly grinding to a halt, it's super tempting to just sink into your bed, binge on Netflix and wish the hours away until normality resumes.
But... IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY!
That's why we threw together our top ten tips to help you move from surviving lockdown to thriving in it! We hope you enjoy them!
- Find your Groove!
Nothing can fix up your mood better than a good playlist. Stock up on some tunes that put a smile on your face & bring you energy, and blast them out morning, noon & night! We recommend using songs that remind you of better times or mean something to you. There's no shame in blasting out some Cascada on a Thursday morning!
- Find your next 'so good I had to read it twice' book!
Make sure it's something inspiring, entertaining or encouraging (or all three!), and challenges you to grow! Just because a lot of the world seems to have ground to a halt, it doesn't mean that you have to.
- Regain control of your Social Media
Purge the accounts that drain, follow some people who flood your feed with good vibes and give it a limit! Social media can be great, but it can also cause serious FOMO, so give it a break and leave your devices in a different room from time to time!
- Get out and about
Grab a takeaway coffee and head out into the fresh, Autumn air... it's good for the mind, body & soul! It will give the legs a stretch, the brain a chance to think a bit more clearly, and your soul chance to refresh and recharge!
- Start something new
Ask yourself, what's the one thing I have always wanted to try but never did?! With more time comes more opportunity to learn a new skill or start a new habit... who knows, a future business could be born amid this lockdown!
- Spring Clean (in Autumn!)
Only keep items that you LOVE or that you use regularly - donate everything else to charity/a friend! A good declutter of the house can be a good declutter for your mind. With us spending so much time in our homes, we will really feel the benefits.
- Keep in contact
Community is VITAL! Re-connect with old friends in new ways like house parties or zooms, or go for a walk and catch-up!
- Celebrate!!!
There's ALWAYS something to be celebrated, whether its birthdays, anniversaries or small wins... anything! Find the things and people you are most grateful for and celebrate them!
- Dream BIG!
We all know 2020 hasn't panned out as we had planned, but that doesn't stop you from forming the 2021 bucket list and dreaming into all the things you want to achieve next year!
- Tune in on a Sunday!
Right now as a church we are getting our weekly dose of good vibes with our online service. Live on Youtube at 10.30am every Sunday, we enjoy powerful worship & life-changing messages, all from the sofa! You are more than welcome to join us, just search Global Church on Youtube (you never know, it could be your 'new thing!')
Everyone is looking for more in life. At Global Church in York, we exist to help people find it (and much more!)
The power of asking the right questions
The difference between a great and ok conversation is often defined by one’s ability to ask the right questions. In today’s post though we wanted to throw up some big Qs that you might like to ask yourself throughout this coming months. Because perhaps the most significant relationship of the year might just be about how you see yourself.
Let’s get started! Here are our big four essentials questions for you to reflect on.
- What sort of person do I want to become?
University is an exciting time of self-discovery, breaking out from old friendship groups and the status quo of how things always were. It’s an opportunity for reinvention and redefinition. When no one knows who you are in a brand new city, it’s a great time to try new things but also explore the boundaries of your confidence and comfort zone.
Take a snapshot of the person you want to become over these next few months and begin to make decisions to lean into it.
If you want to be more confident then decide to be the person to start conversations. If you want to be more generous then why not set up some all-important habits in the way you organise everything from shared food bills to the rounds in the pub.
Maybe you want to become more disciplined or physically stronger - this is the perfect time to set new goals and reinvent.
- What do I need help with?
We all have different strengths and weaknesses and that’s ok. You might be a beast in the sporting arena but dreadful at budgeting. Or a musical maestro who can’t cook to save your life. Successful people aren’t great at everything by default but they learn to ask for help and wisdom from others.
Think of friends who seem to have a handle on certain areas and ask them for advice. You’d be surprised by just how much we all love to share our wealth of knowledge. Often it’s not our strengths that trip us up in life but our weaknesses. So learn to spot your need for improvement and get some help.
- What is the last thing I feel like doing?
Hilariously the last thing we feel like doing often tends to be the thing we most need to do. Procrastination is real but taking action limits its effect. Sometimes it’s as simple as sending an email or a text. Other times it’s paying a bill or asking for an extension to deadline. Or even sorting out the dreaded washing.
Don’t let it build up - decide to face the fear and procrastination head on each day.
- What makes me feel most alive?
University isn’t just about working hard but it’s about having fun too. And it just so happens that doing the things you love creates all-important mental margin and space for your soul to breathe, causing you to become more effective in the long run.
Creativity and focus flows when we’re rested up. So pick some activities and hobbies that really get you going and lean into fun this year. No one can work forever and science tells us that productivity starts to drop when you lean into overwork.
If knitting is your thing then don’t let anyone pull the wool over your eyes. Or if hitting the big screen for the latest Marvel is where it’s at then enjoy! Budget in time and finance for much needed rest and recreation. The future you will thank you for it.
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If you’re trying to figure out what’s fun around here then we’ve put together a cheeky little guide to what we think are the seven greatest wonders of the city of York. From artisan coffee to gorgeous gardens and indie cocktails - you’ll find everything you need to know about settling into this fine city in this handy little PDF guide. It’s called THE HIDDEN GEMS OF YORK.
Why not download it for free at globalchurch.co.uk/hiddengems
The Global Church team x
Everyone is looking for more in life. At Global Church in York, we exist to help people find it (and much more!)
How to smash the day (not literally)
We’re back with our top tips for productivity. A big part of moving away from home and finding your own groove with studying and work is about your personal development and effectiveness. How easy is it to spend a day flicking through books and lectures without taking anything in? We’ve all been there
Here’s a game-changer for you though – the more focused you are and the better you work, the more time and space you will have for fun. Getting organised and efficient in your working habits is essential to freeing up quality time with friends and doing the things you love.
So don’t leave it all to the last minute – start working on your productivity now. Let’s talk about some quick keys on how to smash the day (not literally).
- Find your groovy groove (aka routine)
Ah yes, the dreaded R word. But there’s a reason for it. Your body and mind naturally creates rhythms and rituals each day. Take out the city lights and artificial screens that disturb and prolong our sense of time and we would probably all start to align to the patterns of the sun. Can you imagine?
Just going to bed and getting up at the same time will have a massive impact on your productivity. It’s not always possible of course if you’ve been out late but try to keep a regular routine as much as possible. Your body and your mind will thank you for it!
- Stay hyper hydrated
Your body is like 1000% water (ok maybe it’s more like 60% but you get the idea). Keeping yourself topped up and refreshed is essential to a clear and focused mind. You’d be surprised what a difference it can make. Why not start the day with some delicious H2O? It’s vegan, gluten free and even organic. It’s all the rage and will totally help in your quest to smash the day (again not literally).
- Silence your smart devices
Every time we shift from task to task, we use up a bit of our mental energy for the day. Our beloved smartphones do this every time a notification comes up or when we check Instagram for just a second. The time it takes for us to adjust back to studying is much greater than we realise.
Even better, use something like ‘Do Not Disturb’ or ‘Airplane Mode’ on iPhone. And then have some designated time to fully chillax and message your mates too of course.
- Take a cheeky break (and maybe have a Kit Kat?)
Who can complain about this point? Taking regular breaks is key to hitting reset and prolonging your focus. Nobody can focus forever and yet we can easily while away time staring at a screen, looking for inspiration. Better would be to take a cheeky break.
If you can, go out for a quick walk in the (potential presence of) sunshine. It’ll clear your mind and give you a new lease of focus.
If you’re wondering where’s good to check out in your brand new city then we might be able to help. We’ve put together a cheeky little guide to what we think are the seven greatest wonders of the city of York. From artisan coffee to gorgeous gardens and indie cocktails – you’ll find everything you need to know about settling into this fine city in this handy little PDF guide. It’s called THE HIDDEN GEMS OF YORK.
Why not download it for free at globalchurch.co.uk/hiddengems
We hope your time at uni is full of both focus and fun! Enjoy it all!
The Global Church team x
Everyone is looking for more in life. At Global Church in York, we exist to help people find it (and much more!)
Change is in the air
Moving to a brand new city and starting university has to be one of the most exciting, significant and perhaps even scary moments of your life so far. Throw in the mix everything we have all been through in the last couple of years on top, from pandemics to the unprecedented use of the word unprecedented, and you have a real cocktail of change!
So... We wanted to pull together some thoughts on the thing that might just be your greatest constant over the next few months – and that is change itself. Your ability to navigate transition and roll with the season might just be a key factor to making the most of your time at university.
Here are our essential keys to navigating change.
Focus on what you can control (not what you can’t)
When change happens around us, it often gives us a sense of not being in control. As frustrating as this can be, our instinct is often to be drawn to the external which lies outside of our control.
Instead, start to think about what you do have control over. You might not be able to change everything in your favour but you can control your response to what’s happening around you.
Your attitude and your mentality are within your control. Focusing on what you can change creates a positive mental loop that leads to practical solutions and a better sense of well-being overall.
Celebrate the old but not at the expense of the new
Moving away from home can have all sorts of emotional reactions. In particular, the sense of nostalgia and missing old friends and haunts can affect us all. But don’t let that stop you from creating new friendship groups and getting to know a brand new city.
Avoid the temptation to visit the family home every weekend and instead put some roots down with the people around you who may well just turn out to become your next best mates. You’ll never know unless you put yourself out there.
Take the pressure off being perfect
It’s a brand new season and you’d be surprised how much mental energy is required to do new things. It takes time to get to know the local hotspots and to find your daily rhythms. Even being productive takes time. Give yourself time to settle in and you’ll find yourself enjoying uni life much more.
Find your new local rhythm
There’s so much to explore in the city of York, complete with new surroundings to get used to. Why not head out for a walk from time to time to get to know your locality? Every city has a different feel and this one is no different. Enjoy your time here!
You should already have your copy of our guide to Yorks Hidden Gems (if not, click here), full of everything from artisan coffee to gorgeous gardens and indie cocktails. Download it, explore it, and find your new favourite place!
We hope you enjoy your time in York! Make yourself at home.
The Global Church crew x
P.S. If you are on the hunt for a church in York, want more in life or just a great community to be a part of (all or three!) we would love to meet you.
We meet every week at Manor School in York at 10.30 am on Sunday, for our Global Church Live, which you are welcome to check out - don't worry, we will pick you up! If you want to know more, use this link so one of the Global Crew can get in touch and book a coffee or beer with you soon!