Weekly Wisdom

Motivational Minute: Our Deepest Fear

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Happy Today!

Today I want to share a few inspiring words for those who may be struggling with a lack of self confidence. This post was inspired by a conversation with a friend about the availability of inspiring messages if we are willing to open our eyes and minds to view and understand them.

Here’s one example, I remember watching Coach Carter, a movie about a basketball coach who dared to teach his players the value of academics, personal respect and true teamwork. During the movie there is a scene in which one of the basketball players who has realized the importance and applicability of the expectations his coach demanded of them and he thanks him by reciting an inspiring passage. The passage recited is likely based off a quote from Marianne Williamson.

In case you don’t have time to review the clip, the quotation is as follows:

What is your deepest fear?

Are you playing small?

It is my hope that you liberate yourself from your own fear and give yourself permission to be a beacon of light for someone else.

Til next time,

“We can always choose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what’s wrong in your life, or you can focus on what’s right.” – Marianne Williamson

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Weekly Wisdom

Motivational Minute: 3 Things to Do When You Feel Stuck in a Rut

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Happy Today!

Welcome to the first full week of work in February 2019.  Last week you may have been blessed to enjoy time off to celebrate the Super Bowl with family and friends.   But now it is back to reality and back to work – whether for yourself or someone else – work never stops.  Even when you are unemployed, you still have to work – work at finding a job or work at your identifying what you want to do next.

I don’t know about anyone but it seems no matter how hard I try, there are times in which I feel like I am on autopilot and doing the same things over and over with no momentum. The only positive aspect of this pattern is that I can recognize it for what it is and take some type of action to move myself forward. BUT I remember when there was a time when I couldn’t. It seemed I was stuck in a rut and couldn’t get off the hamster wheel.

Today I want to share some wisdom from a few of the world’s great self help teachers – Iyanla Vanzant, Dr. Phil and Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith.  Courtesy of OWN TV, these notable coaches offer Three Things To Do When You Feel Stuck In a Rut.

The steps are relatively simple and their explanation of each step is worth giving three minutes and seven seconds to hear the teachings (3:07 viewing time):

1. Get a vision – Iyanla Vanzant

2. Create a starring role in your own life – Dr. Phil

3. Get out of your own way – Michael Bernard Beckwith

Til next time,

“You can start with nothing. And out of nothing, and out of no way, a way will be made.” – Michael Bernard Beckwith

Uncategorized

Ten (10) Quotes On The Power of Laughter

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Happy Today!!

I spent the weather holiday laughing with my baby Win watching a children’s show called Masha and the Bear on Netflix.  The show had minimal words spoken by Masha (a cartoon toddler little girl) who somehow communicates with her animal friends throughout the story.  The animals don’t talk but they always find a way to communicate and laugh together. Those animals helped me to laugh away my frustrations of life and with the negativity gone, it seemed a little easier to return to the tasks on my to do list.

As the week returned to its normal hectic schedule, whenever I needed a mental pick me up, I spent a few moments watching and listening to things which would make me laugh some of my tension away. A massage not bubble bath and wine was available so laughter became my choice of relaxation.

A few times I found myself turning back to kid entertainment shows and laughing until I had to remind myself that I was in fact an adult watching a kids show. Now I find myself looking for opportunities to laugh everywhere I go.

Laughter is after all proven to provide multiple health benefits. Help guide.org indicated a few benefits as:

  • Decreasing stress hormones
  • Increasing immune cells and infection fighting antibodies
  • Triggering the release of endorphins

Mayoclinic.org also details benefits as:

  • Increase of oxygen rich air
  • Relief of pain
  • Improved mood

With benefits like these, no wonder I am enjoying these silly episodes of Masha and the Bear, Are We Adobe Yet, and The Big Bang Theory. In case you need a little more inspiration, below are ten quotes on laughter.

laugh dr. seuss

Quotes about the Power of Laughter:

  1.  “If laughter cannot solve your problems, it will definitely DISSOLVE your problems; so that you can think clearly what to do about them.” – Dr. Madan Kataria
  1. “A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.” – Phyllis Diller
  1. “Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.” – Lord Byron
  1. “An optimist laughs to forget; a pessimist forgets to laugh.” – Tom Nansbury
  2. “Humor is laughing at what you haven’t got when you ought to have it.” – James Langston Hughes
  3. “A day without laughter is wasted.” – Charlie Chaplin
  4. “Laughter is an instant vacation.” – Milton Berle
  5. “Laughter is America’s most important export.” – Walt Disney
  6. “Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on.” – Bob Newhart
  7. “A person who knows how to laugh at himself will never cease to be amused.” – Shirley MacLaine

Til next time,

“I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t laugh.” – Maya Angelou

Books and Words

Audible Free Picks of The Month

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Happy Today!

If you have an Audible audiobook account, you may not be aware or have forgotten that each month Audible offers six titles which are available for members to download two free books.

Yes you read that correctly, six titles of which two are free. Each title is an Audible Original which means it they were created by storytellers and produced in Audible studios.

January is coming to a close but the options available until midnight January 31 include:

1. Atomic Marriage by Curtis Sittenfeld (Fiction)

2. Power Moves by Adam Grant (Non Fiction)

3. The Last Days Of August by Jon Ronson (Non Fiction)

4. The Man On The Mountaintop by Stanley Tucci and Toby Jones (Fiction)

5. The Spies That Bind: A Prequel by Ally Carter (YA Fiction)

6. Harry Clarke by David Cale (Thrilller)

If you miss any of these titles, February will include a new series of titles for your listening pleasure. This is not a sponsored post so feel free to download or not.

Til next time,

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. —Joseph Addison

Goal Achievement

1st 5K of 2019 – Walking Towards Goal Achievement

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Happy Today!

This year, I want to focus on my health and last month I posted 9 Quotes on Weight Loss For Your Vision Boards which mentioned my goal for 2019 – COMPLETE A 5K A MONTH.

It is a cold 30 degrees in my area and I have walked across the finish line of the Will to Live 5K. am proud to proclaim – January 2019 5K event has been completed.

This race was an opportunity to give money to an organization dedicated to preventing teen suicide through education and access to resources. The counselor in me felt this was a foundation I would be willing to brave the cold to fund their efforts through my race fee and spread their message through profiling them on my platforms.

The lesson I learned while preparing for this race is the circumstances for a race are not always ideal but if you will concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other, you will reach the finish line.

This is true for your dreams. It is easy to believe it may not be a great time to start working on your dream. Remember there is never an ideal time to start but if you don’t take that first step, you will find you are stuck in dream world. Dream world never transitions to goals if you don’t make a plan to guide your journey towards achievement.

Don’t allow the cold weather within your life prevent you for crossing your finish line. Dreams remain dreams because you are scared to walk towards the desired outcome.

Til next time,

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” — Dr. Seuss

Recommendation of the Month · Uncategorized

The App Which Increased My Productivity

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Happy Today!

Today I would like to introduce my favorite and top utilized application on my iPad pro.  This app has revolutionized the way I conduct my business and everyday tasks.  My work routine has become easier and my arms less fatigued thanks to the utilization of this $7.99 app.

About three years ago my family gifted me with an iPad Pro and Apple Pencil for Mother’s Day.  Apparently, in their minds, I carried around “way too many binders that you always drop or we have to help you bring them into the house (car).” Direct quote from my daughter.  If it was a decision between dropping my binders or dropping the squirming kid, the binders always lost the battle.  This meant there were many days where everyone had to help me catch the flying loose sheets that were twirling in the wind.

At the time, my Win was still in the stage where he wanted to be carried everywhere and my job required the consistent review and implementation of various rules and regulations. It was my role to ensure we not only remained in compliance but also operationalize the expectations. Thus, I always had a variety of manuals and standards I carried from home to the office and then back again. On the days which found me away and traveling to other agencies, I would check in to the hotel, drop my bags in the room and then return downstairs to retrieve a box of binders with materials which needed to be reviewed before the next day.

tech quote

Binders in front of me, binders in back of me, binders at home, binders at work, binders everywhere and anywhere I could sneak in a little reading time.  The sad thing is – I loved my binders.  In my mind, there was no other system that was better.

Then after being gifted with new technology, I was forced to watch numerous YouTube videos about my new iPad Pro, Apple Pencil and the various options for note taking apps.  I downloaded Microsoft OneNote, played with Notability, drew pictures on Pages and finally wrote myself reminders.  Nothing worked the way my binders did.  They were my one thing that made my life easier.

Then I found reviews and demonstrations of the app – GoodNotes.  Can I tell you my mind was blown and my life was simple?  GoodNotes is like a kiss – they keep it simple stupid.  That was me, stupid for waiting so long before I divided in.  With this app, I am able to import and export any documents I choose as well as I have been able to stick my toe into digital planning and note-taking.  Now I believe in the power of paper and pen so I will NOT give up any of by disc-bound notebooks, but I only need to carry around one.

I have created categories for each of my projects and save all notes and manuals associated with each project in that category folder.  In addition, I have uploaded my custom project planning sheets as well as travel itineraries and continuing education handouts.  With the pencil, it is easy to color code my notes, highlight reminders and email this information to anyone I desire.  The app works with external cloud platforms like Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive and Box.  Each of my grant application packets has a category along with notes taken during informational webinars and any subsequent documents associated.  GoodNotes, where have you been all my life?

tech and book

Access to these materials allows me to remain prepared for questions from my team and ensures I can review information during unexpected blocks of extra time in my schedule.  What a wonderful feeling it is to have peace of mind and less luggage when I travel.  I consider this app to be one of the best investments I made towards personal productivity.  Now if I can just remember to keep my online and paper files as organized as the documents on GoodNotes, I would remove one of the causes of procrastination in my life.

Do you have an app which you have found to be vital to your productivity?  Have you tried GoodNotes? Tell me about your experience in the comments.

Til next time,

“Please, no matter how we advance technologically, please don’t abandon the book.  There is nothing in our material world more beautiful than the book.” – Patti Smith

Uncategorized

5 Tips For Maintaining The Spirit of The Holidays After They Are Over

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Happy Today!

It’s nothing like watching a child open Christmas gifts bright and early in the morning. No tears or tantrums about it being too early to get up as they are overcome with excitement for the day ahead. Their energy and enthusiasm is infectious making the time and energy spent holiday shopping worth it as we watch the smiles of joy and squeals of excitement as our loved ones participate in the day.

The excitement of a new year filled with new beginnings make adults demonstrate hope and belief in the positive aspect of change. It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t recognize the personal value of the new year – makers of planners, journals, calendar and fitness accessory makers understand and profit from the elation of a new year full of opportunities.

I wonder – how much a person could make from bottling up a child’s joy at the simplest of things? How much worry could be relieved if we concentrated on the hope of a new day – not just a new year? This got me thinking. What are some things I could do today to keep that feeling beyond the day of and immediately after the holiday season.

So here is my list, Four (4) things you can do to make the holiday spirit last after the holiday is over.

1. DON’T WATCH THE NEWS

You read that correctly – don’t watch the news. Matter of fact don’t read the news either. The news gives a negative perspective of matters occurring on your area of residence as well as the world. There are far to many stories of violence and others inability to get along or make decisions. Real life is hard enough without adding unnecessary negativity into the mix.

2. GIVE TO OTHERS

Organizations in need have likely sent you requests for donations so they can end the year or start the year off with additional revenue. I charge you to give to those around you who may need a little extra throughout the year such as the college student in your life or the family member starting a business. The gifts which give make me feel the best are the donations of time at the kids school, volunteering and watching someone’s children so they can have a moment to recharge or make additional income.

3. TRAVEL

The congestion of traffic as hassle of long flights never seems worth it in the moment but when we wrap our arms around someone we love or experience a new adventure in an unfamiliar location, it can fill us with a sense of elation and satisfaction. Whether you select a staycation or a trip out of town, there are a multitude of options which can be utilized to provide you with a quick pick me up.

4. DO SOMETHING ORDINARY WITH A CHILD

Children make complicated things simple with one word – why. They are inquisitive and cheerful as they discover and rediscover ordinary things around you. Rainbows, cars which remind of Bumblebee (the Transformers), planes taking off, coloring books, bike rides, jigsaw puzzles and baking cookies are simple sources of pleasure to children. Grab your kids, nieces, nephews and cousins then have a little fun. The smiles and giggles will be infectious which will help you smile for awhile.

5. LAUGH

It goes without saying that friends and family tend to give us opportunities to laugh. Reminiscing about the past, laughing at crazy misadventures and enjoying a temporary reprieve from the craziness of real life is a by-product of the holiday season. It doesn’t have to end there. Create a habit of laughter. Watch silly shows or comedies. Buy ice cream and laugh at people you see in the park. Create a new habit this month – look for things to laugh about.

Remember we get one life and each day is a gift. Wouldn’t it be better to end each day knowing you enjoyed the day instead of simply existing throughout the day? Let’s find ways to make each day a holiday in 2019.

Til next time,

“Laughter is an instant vacation.” – Milton Berle