Month: January 2019

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

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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

Goal Achievement · Uncategorized

Mindset Reset with Mel Robbins – Free 35 Day Program Began January 1, 2019

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Happy Today!

My New Years wish (not resolution) was to help others to realize the value in their dreams.  I want everyone to accept that they deserve to reach their goals.  I want you to know that you are worth the time which will be invested in YOUR dream achievement.

dream planter

Now I know that may be difficult to accept so I want to introduce you to a limited time offer regarding the Mindset Reset Program being offered by Mel Robbins.  A positive can-do mindset is vital for achieving all goals and maintaining a quality mindset can be difficult at times.  Thus you have a few more days to work with the legendary Mel Robbins.   Here is a clip of the session from Day 1:

Here is what her Mindset Reset Program offers:

35 days of coaching from Mel Robbins

35 days of tools designed to change your habits for good

A 10-page guide

The program began on January 1 but there is still time to register.  I registered today and I look forward to learning from Ms. Robbins.  If you believe this may be of benefit to you, register immediately.  Please let me know if you want more resources like this in 2019.

Til next time,

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.  So sail away from the safe harbor.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover.” – Mark Twain

Uncategorized · Weekly Wisdom

9 Quotes on Financial Independence for Your Vision Boards and Bullet Journals

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Happy Today!

If you live in the United States, one of the common themes across the news and radio waves is the ongoing government shutdown. When I hear the new count of employees being furloughed, I can’t help but to hope and pray that they prepared their finances for this possibility. But then I remember the old adage, “seeing is believing.”

Seeing other people impacted by having employment but no paycheck should make everyone believe in the need for financial independence.  We need to define what financial independence is to us and go after it – even if we are employed in a job we enjoy.  The reality is a paycheck can be gone from a government furlough, being fired or let go, illness of a partner and a combination of all previously mentioned.

This makes it the prime time for a rude awakening everyone – here is your reality check.  Have you identified what your desired income should be for retirement?  Are you ready to achieve it?

finance reality check

In case you need a little extra motivation as you contemplate the answers to those questions, here are Nine (9) Quotes on Financial Independence:

1. “You can be young without money, but you can’t be old without it.” – Tennessee Williams

2. “Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.” – Henry David Thoreau

3. “We were not taught financial literacy in school.  It takes a lot of work and time to change your thinking and to become financially literate.” – Robert Kiyosaki

4. “The number one problem in today’s generation and economy is the lack of financial literacy.” – Alan Greenspan

5.  “You’ve got to tell your money what to do or it will leave.” – Dave Ramsey

6.  “The key to making money is to stay invested.” – Suze Orman

7. “It’s not your salary that makes you rich; it’s your spending habits.” – Charles A. Jaffe

8. “Money won’t create success, the freedom to make it will.” – Nelson Mandela

9. “Money is only a tool.  It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver.” – Ayn Rand

believe in you

If you believe in you, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.  So I ask again –

Have you identified what your desired income should be for retirement? 

Are you ready to achieve it? 

Let 2019 be the year you begin or expand on your journey to financial independence.  I will, will you?

Til next time,

“Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.” – Jim Rohn