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6 uw oS Zz = Ss = Beaver | Thursday, August 3, 2023 | PUT MORE FOCUS ON 3 WHAT YOU CAN © ACCOMPLISH THAN WHAT YOU CAN'T, WRITES MELANIE MCGREGOR MELANIE MCGREGOR Column When we feel we can't do thing we would like, either for ourselves or someone else, we often fo- cus more on the "can'ts" than the "cans." Imagine that you havea day with a lot on your to-do list. You may focus on what you think you won't accom- plish: "There's no way those bathrooms will get cleaned," "I can't help my friend with everything they need," or "I'll never get it all done." This focus on the short- falls can affect our overall mindset and leave us feel- ing negative and down on ourselves. Imagine what it could sound like if we focused not just on what we can't do but also on what we can. Here are some ideas to consider: n you think about ler a "can" these calls today," acknowl- edge that and consider what the "can" is, some- ‘ing like "I can make a fowl It's not about dismiss- H ing the reality of limits, it's 8 about tempering the self- g criti icism. + Think about how rea- 3 sonable your expectations MANAGING YOUR EXPECTATIONS Imagine what it could sound like if we focused not just on what we can't do but also on what we can. are. Is it fair that you are asking yourself to make all ofthe calls today? a the the ‘unreasonable. roe tions than from your in- ability to meet them. Take a step back and consider that before criticizing yourself. + Add in a strategy. Something like "I will start with these calls and do se other ones tomor- row" may help you feel more in control and hop fully highlight another “can" — that you can make a plan and stick to it. icate cans ane nd can'ts to others too. If you feel you're being asked for something you can't de- ver, something like, ‘I an't promise hat Iw call you today. I make sureIcallby Priday" Some- times guilt or frustration —ours or someone else's — may come from the can't, and the can will hopefully bea good counterweight. a little practice, you can doi it. Melanie McGregor is the communications and advancement specialist at the Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Region Branch, which provides mental health/ addiction community sup- port and education. Visit www. shalton. cmha.ca for more information and follow Ge mhahalton on Twitte A male yellow shafted northern flicker visits the hiking trail along Saw-Whet Boulevat local photo you'd like to share? Send it to sleblanc@metroland.com, along with a have a great I brief description. TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT INSIDEHALTON.COM SNAPSHOT John Angelis photo rd. Do you SUMMER TRAVEL SPENDING DECLINE NOT A SURPRISE One of the results of the years is to force people to spend less money. Plus, because of infla- tion, most things cost more so there is less money to spend. In 2015, according to Na- nos Research, 31 per cent of Canadians reported they would travel less. That fig- ure has now increased to 38 per cent. You can't spend what you don't have, and you cannot borrow when your credit limits are strained. A new survey conduct- ed by Nanos Research shows 57 per cent of Cana- dians say they have no in- terest in international trav- el. " Just over half of those surveyed ranked cost as the determining factor not PETER WATSON Column to travel, versus other con- siderations including cli- mate concerns and time off Women are more cau- tious with travel spending, and just over 40 per cent will be spending less mon- ey on their vacation. Men are not as cautious and on- ly 35 per cent said they would be spending less on vacations. When times are tougher humans can adjust. The creative side of planning a vacation can be how to maximize enjoy- ment while minimizing costs. For example, younger Canadians might travel, but aay with friends. Grandparents could stay Mea their children while iding a welcome bene- it of caring for grandchi ren. The reduction to travel spending this summer is even more significant be- cause of COVID-19. That was a time when travel and visiting others was either not allowed, restricted or too risky froma health per- spective. a Peter Watson, of Watson Investments, MBA, Cl R.EP, CIM®, FCSI a a weekly financial plan- ning column, Dollars & Sense. He can be contacted through watsoninvest- ments.com. OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT INSIDEHALTON.COM ABOUT This newspaper, published every Metroland Media Group Utd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family ‘of newspapers is comprise publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. 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