With May being an extra long month and June starting near the end of the week, I thought I'd take last week off and begin the new month's goals on Sunday.
Alas, the best laid plans sometimes go astray.
I have a very legitimate, although somewhat embarrassing reason for not starting this month's theme on time. You see, I don't exactly remember what this month's theme is.....
How can that be? Well, this is the problem: it's all written down, sorted, and carefully organized in a notebook because my ideas tend to flow better that way. And guess what - the notebook's gone missing. I know, I know - it probably would be best if I had this information backed up digitally, and believe me, that's the first thing I intend to do when I find that notebook!
Until then, I plan on writing the occasional post about aging, life, and laughter. Please check back soon, as I'll post June's theme and goals the second my notes resurface :)
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Weekly Goal #4 - Make a Donation
I didn't post the weekly goal yesterday.
Just in case you were wondering :)
So, here it is - better late than never, I suppose.
The final weekly goal in May's month of "service" is making a donation.
In some ways, I feel this is the easiest goal of all. While many of us may not always have the luxury of time when it comes to helping others, I bet each one has a few seconds to reach into a wallet or write a check.
There are countless causes to donate to. Some of these might include:
*church donations
*registered charities
*school fundraisers
*military families
*disaster relief
*individuals facing medical challenges
Donations aren't always monetary in nature. Grocery items can be donated to the Food Bank, clothing to thrift stores, toys to a shelter, blankets to children's hospital...you get the idea.
The amount isn't important. Small donations have a way of adding up to make a big impact. In the words of this week's quote "no act of kindness, no matter how small, ever goes unnoticed." Or, ever goes unappreciated for that matter.
So there you have it, folks. This week's assignment is to find a worthy cause and donate to it!
Just in case you were wondering :)
So, here it is - better late than never, I suppose.
The final weekly goal in May's month of "service" is making a donation.
In some ways, I feel this is the easiest goal of all. While many of us may not always have the luxury of time when it comes to helping others, I bet each one has a few seconds to reach into a wallet or write a check.
There are countless causes to donate to. Some of these might include:
*church donations
*registered charities
*school fundraisers
*military families
*disaster relief
*individuals facing medical challenges
Donations aren't always monetary in nature. Grocery items can be donated to the Food Bank, clothing to thrift stores, toys to a shelter, blankets to children's hospital...you get the idea.
The amount isn't important. Small donations have a way of adding up to make a big impact. In the words of this week's quote "no act of kindness, no matter how small, ever goes unnoticed." Or, ever goes unappreciated for that matter.
So there you have it, folks. This week's assignment is to find a worthy cause and donate to it!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Week in Review
A new week begins tomorrow, which means...
You guessed it - review time!
The goal for this week was to perform a random act of kindness. This goal is part of May's overall focus on service.
I really enjoyed this goal because I found when I was less focused on myself and looking for ways to help others, my own troubles seemed to disappear for a time. I felt a quiet satisfaction in my efforts and my entire day seemed a little brighter. I feel this is the inherent nature of service; one sets out with the purpose of helping others, but often ends with the greater reward in return.
I won't be sharing specifics on what I did this week because I want my deeds to remain unknown. I will say that I tried to do something nice anonymously once a day, and I divided my efforts between family, neighbors, and even a few strangers. This is one goal I'd like to continue beyond the week - and I hope you will too. Just think of the changes which could be made if we all decided to make the world a better place through one kind deed a day :)
Please check in tomorrow as I unveil May's final goal!
You guessed it - review time!
The goal for this week was to perform a random act of kindness. This goal is part of May's overall focus on service.
I really enjoyed this goal because I found when I was less focused on myself and looking for ways to help others, my own troubles seemed to disappear for a time. I felt a quiet satisfaction in my efforts and my entire day seemed a little brighter. I feel this is the inherent nature of service; one sets out with the purpose of helping others, but often ends with the greater reward in return.
I won't be sharing specifics on what I did this week because I want my deeds to remain unknown. I will say that I tried to do something nice anonymously once a day, and I divided my efforts between family, neighbors, and even a few strangers. This is one goal I'd like to continue beyond the week - and I hope you will too. Just think of the changes which could be made if we all decided to make the world a better place through one kind deed a day :)
Please check in tomorrow as I unveil May's final goal!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Welcome to Adulthood!
My daughter turned eighteen last Sunday.
Man, was she excited!
She kept bragging to her friends that she was now of "legal" age. The thing she seemed most excited about was her ability to order something off of an infomercial if she wanted.
However, it only took a few days for reality to set in :)
Here she is, getting ready for her first day of work at a local restaurant:
Let's just say she didn't look quite as perky when she came home.
She'd only spent three hours in training, but she was exhausted. I couldn't help but play the devil's advocate by reminding her the time she'd spent working was only about half that of a regular shift.
Her response was a loud groan.
Her other complaint was her boss wanted her to complete training next Wednesday, which is graduation day. She is scheduled to come in from 1-4 p.m. and then she'll have to zip over to her 4:30 graduation. And, to add insult to injury, her dad had just informed her she'd have to pay the monthly bill for the new phone she's getting for graduation.
I laughed. "Welcome to adulthood," I said, patting her arm. Like most of us, I think my daughter was so focused on the freedom aspect of coming of age, she forgot about the responsibility that comes with it.
Freedom without responsibility - if only it worked that way :)
Man, was she excited!
She kept bragging to her friends that she was now of "legal" age. The thing she seemed most excited about was her ability to order something off of an infomercial if she wanted.
However, it only took a few days for reality to set in :)
Here she is, getting ready for her first day of work at a local restaurant:
Let's just say she didn't look quite as perky when she came home.
She'd only spent three hours in training, but she was exhausted. I couldn't help but play the devil's advocate by reminding her the time she'd spent working was only about half that of a regular shift.
Her response was a loud groan.
Her other complaint was her boss wanted her to complete training next Wednesday, which is graduation day. She is scheduled to come in from 1-4 p.m. and then she'll have to zip over to her 4:30 graduation. And, to add insult to injury, her dad had just informed her she'd have to pay the monthly bill for the new phone she's getting for graduation.
I laughed. "Welcome to adulthood," I said, patting her arm. Like most of us, I think my daughter was so focused on the freedom aspect of coming of age, she forgot about the responsibility that comes with it.
Freedom without responsibility - if only it worked that way :)
Monday, May 16, 2011
Weekly Goal #3 - A Random Act of Kindness
Sorry for the hiatus; our little guy ended up having surgery in Salt Lake City and we spent four days out of town. We're now home, and our son is doing well.
As a result, I had little time to reach out to my neighbors. In retrospect, planning this goal during a week with surgery was probably not the smartest thing to do. However, we did find ourselves on the other end with having our neighbors reach out with well wishes and concern during these past few days. It's taught me that part of being a good neighbor is allowing others to help you :)
Now, on to this week and its goal. The goal for this week is to perform a random act of kindness. To do something nice when no one is looking, not expecting recognition or praise for your action.
Oftentimes, some of the most important work is done by those working quietly behind the scenes who know what needs to be done and are willing to do it without fanfare or fuss. This is what I challenge you to do this week - to look carefully around you, spot a need or concern, then step in and help anonymously. While you might miss out on the accolades of others, you will feel a quiet satisfaction in doing your part to make a difference.
As a result, I had little time to reach out to my neighbors. In retrospect, planning this goal during a week with surgery was probably not the smartest thing to do. However, we did find ourselves on the other end with having our neighbors reach out with well wishes and concern during these past few days. It's taught me that part of being a good neighbor is allowing others to help you :)
Now, on to this week and its goal. The goal for this week is to perform a random act of kindness. To do something nice when no one is looking, not expecting recognition or praise for your action.
Oftentimes, some of the most important work is done by those working quietly behind the scenes who know what needs to be done and are willing to do it without fanfare or fuss. This is what I challenge you to do this week - to look carefully around you, spot a need or concern, then step in and help anonymously. While you might miss out on the accolades of others, you will feel a quiet satisfaction in doing your part to make a difference.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Weekly Goal #2 - Be a Good Neighbor
I'm sure most of you know this little jingle from television, "Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there."
This brings up a question - what does it mean to be a good neighbor?
I'd also like to pose a second question - how well do you know your neighbors?
I have to admit, there are a few people in our neighborhood I don't know very well. I'm ashamed to say the reason is because they are of a different denomination than I. It's not that I'm shunning them because they belong to a different church; rather, I don't know them well because I don't see them on a weekly basis like I do with my "LDS" neighbors. I just haven't gone out of my way to stop by and get to know them.
This personal deficiency is prompting this week's goal of "being a good neighbor". Here's the assignment: think of at least one individual or family in your neighborhood you don't know well and stop by to say "hello". Bringing cookies or another treat can sometimes offer a good excuse for a visit. Chances are you'll find they have been wanting to meet you, too :)
This brings up a question - what does it mean to be a good neighbor?
I'd also like to pose a second question - how well do you know your neighbors?
I have to admit, there are a few people in our neighborhood I don't know very well. I'm ashamed to say the reason is because they are of a different denomination than I. It's not that I'm shunning them because they belong to a different church; rather, I don't know them well because I don't see them on a weekly basis like I do with my "LDS" neighbors. I just haven't gone out of my way to stop by and get to know them.
This personal deficiency is prompting this week's goal of "being a good neighbor". Here's the assignment: think of at least one individual or family in your neighborhood you don't know well and stop by to say "hello". Bringing cookies or another treat can sometimes offer a good excuse for a visit. Chances are you'll find they have been wanting to meet you, too :)
Monday, May 9, 2011
St. George Ironman 2011
I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Ironman event held yesterday in St. George, and since this week's goal was about becoming a volunteer, I thought I'd share my experience with you.
The Ironman is considered the ultimate in conditioning events (think of a triathalon on steriods). The athletes begin with a 2.4 mile swim in open water. I don't know how many of you have ever tried to swim more than a couple of hundred yards at one time, but it's BRUTAL. The moment after they leave the water, the participants hop on a bicycle and ride 112 miles:
As if that weren't enough, the event is finished by running a marathon - which is 26.2 miles, in case you were wondering:
To top things off, it was over 90 degrees on Saturday. I was working at Run Station #1 in the afternoon, the first station located on the running course. There were three lanes of athletes on our street; a lane of cyclists finishing their loop, and the entry and returning lanes for the marathon. There were athletes from all over the world in every shape, size, and of varying ages. Some of them chose to wear something quirky to set them apart, others chose to compete while carrying something meaningful. One of my favorites was this runner, who chose to carry an American flag:
One runner came through competing on an artificial leg. It was quite remarkable!
Despite the heat, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was interesting to meet new people, and I felt a quiet satisfaction and pride at being able to help these people - most of whom were complete strangers - be able to realize their dream. It only took one afternoon of my time, but it made a huge difference to the athletes. I know they appreciated it, because many took the time to thank the volunteers.
So again, I urge you to look for ways to volunteer and become involved with a good cause. You'll never regret your decision :)
The Ironman is considered the ultimate in conditioning events (think of a triathalon on steriods). The athletes begin with a 2.4 mile swim in open water. I don't know how many of you have ever tried to swim more than a couple of hundred yards at one time, but it's BRUTAL. The moment after they leave the water, the participants hop on a bicycle and ride 112 miles:
To top things off, it was over 90 degrees on Saturday. I was working at Run Station #1 in the afternoon, the first station located on the running course. There were three lanes of athletes on our street; a lane of cyclists finishing their loop, and the entry and returning lanes for the marathon. There were athletes from all over the world in every shape, size, and of varying ages. Some of them chose to wear something quirky to set them apart, others chose to compete while carrying something meaningful. One of my favorites was this runner, who chose to carry an American flag:
Despite the heat, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was interesting to meet new people, and I felt a quiet satisfaction and pride at being able to help these people - most of whom were complete strangers - be able to realize their dream. It only took one afternoon of my time, but it made a huge difference to the athletes. I know they appreciated it, because many took the time to thank the volunteers.
So again, I urge you to look for ways to volunteer and become involved with a good cause. You'll never regret your decision :)
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Weekly Goal #1 - Become a Volunteer
I know it's midweek and you may be thinking it's a little late to announce this week's goal.
Actually, my hope is that this goal extends beyond a week's time. In fact, it would be great if it could become a permanent part of your lifestyle.
This week's goal is...learning to VOLUNTEER.
I believe this is a great concept, to give back to society when your situation allows. The things you do don't have to be earth shattering; they can be as simple as spending an hour at your child's school once a week or putting in some yard work for an elderly neighbor.
Here are a few idea to make volunteering a positive experience:
I've volunteered off and on for various things throughout the years. Currently, I volunteer two days a month playing the piano at a care center. Are there other things I could be doing with this time? Yes - but I wouldn't trade seeing the grateful smiles on the residents' faces when I visit them :)
There is another program I'm volunteering with this week...but I'm keeping it a secret for now. You'll have to check back to see what it is. I helped with it last year and had a wonderful time !!
My challenge to you is to look around and identify a person or program which needs help. Once you find them, choose to act. After all, only by helping each other can we ever hope to get through this life!
Actually, my hope is that this goal extends beyond a week's time. In fact, it would be great if it could become a permanent part of your lifestyle.
This week's goal is...learning to VOLUNTEER.
I believe this is a great concept, to give back to society when your situation allows. The things you do don't have to be earth shattering; they can be as simple as spending an hour at your child's school once a week or putting in some yard work for an elderly neighbor.
Here are a few idea to make volunteering a positive experience:
- Recognize a need in your neighborhood or community.
- Find something you are passionate about.
- CHEERFULLY give of your time.
- Be dependable.
I've volunteered off and on for various things throughout the years. Currently, I volunteer two days a month playing the piano at a care center. Are there other things I could be doing with this time? Yes - but I wouldn't trade seeing the grateful smiles on the residents' faces when I visit them :)
There is another program I'm volunteering with this week...but I'm keeping it a secret for now. You'll have to check back to see what it is. I helped with it last year and had a wonderful time !!
My challenge to you is to look around and identify a person or program which needs help. Once you find them, choose to act. After all, only by helping each other can we ever hope to get through this life!
Monday, May 2, 2011
May's Area of Focus
It's a new month.
Time to unveil a new area of focus!
Drum roll, please...
May's focus is finding SERVICE.
You see, I'm of the philosophy that believes humankind is interconnected, that each person is a unique thread intertwined with others to form the grand tapestry which we call "life". Actions committed by a single person ripple out to affect everyone, whether they be of a beneficial or detrimental nature.
Why not use your thread for good? To strengthen and lift other threads around you?
Perhaps you may feel the work you do will be of little or no consequence. After all, how much difference can one person make in the world?
The answer to this question is: you make a world of difference to the people you choose to help. Perhaps, in turn, they might pay it forward, and so on and so on.
The effects could be endless! All it takes is a decision on your end to "be the change you want to see in the world."
Time to unveil a new area of focus!
Drum roll, please...
May's focus is finding SERVICE.
You see, I'm of the philosophy that believes humankind is interconnected, that each person is a unique thread intertwined with others to form the grand tapestry which we call "life". Actions committed by a single person ripple out to affect everyone, whether they be of a beneficial or detrimental nature.
Why not use your thread for good? To strengthen and lift other threads around you?
Perhaps you may feel the work you do will be of little or no consequence. After all, how much difference can one person make in the world?
The answer to this question is: you make a world of difference to the people you choose to help. Perhaps, in turn, they might pay it forward, and so on and so on.
The effects could be endless! All it takes is a decision on your end to "be the change you want to see in the world."
Sunday, May 1, 2011
My Dirty Little Secret
Do you want to know my dirty little secret?
It has to do with this:
And this:
Okay, so I don't have any figurative skeletons hidden in my closet to speak of. However, these are pictures taken of my living room closet - the one I was planning to organize last week.
The key word in that last sentence is WAS. Unfortunately, it didn't happen.
I hope you had better luck with your goal than I did. Although it didn't happen this week, I still plan to clean and organize this space soon. I'll post pictures so others can see that I followed through with it :)
In the meantime, I'm happy to announce it's the beginning of a brand new month. I'm SO excited about May's area of focus! Check back tomorrow to discover what it is.
It has to do with this:
Okay, so I don't have any figurative skeletons hidden in my closet to speak of. However, these are pictures taken of my living room closet - the one I was planning to organize last week.
The key word in that last sentence is WAS. Unfortunately, it didn't happen.
I hope you had better luck with your goal than I did. Although it didn't happen this week, I still plan to clean and organize this space soon. I'll post pictures so others can see that I followed through with it :)
In the meantime, I'm happy to announce it's the beginning of a brand new month. I'm SO excited about May's area of focus! Check back tomorrow to discover what it is.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Myth Buster #1
I hope everyone had a great Easter weekend.
I'm willing to bet you had a much better Saturday than I.
I was stuck at home with the stomach bug and had to send the family off to celebrate without me.
However, my husband did a great job with taking lots of photos; here are just a few:
Okay - back to business. As part of the blog, I've decided to add a "myth buster" section where I can discuss my feelings and ideas of common perceptions about growing older. In honor of the recent holiday, I'd like to address the practice of giving up one's belief in characters such as the Easter Bunny and Santa. Just because one grows older doesn't mean the special magic of these days has to disappear. I think that kids have this one right!
Besides, there's a lot you can learn from these childhood pals, as demonstrated by this excerpt I found on another blog:
I say...live on, Easter Bunny!
I'm willing to bet you had a much better Saturday than I.
I was stuck at home with the stomach bug and had to send the family off to celebrate without me.
However, my husband did a great job with taking lots of photos; here are just a few:
 |
| Yes - |
Okay - back to business. As part of the blog, I've decided to add a "myth buster" section where I can discuss my feelings and ideas of common perceptions about growing older. In honor of the recent holiday, I'd like to address the practice of giving up one's belief in characters such as the Easter Bunny and Santa. Just because one grows older doesn't mean the special magic of these days has to disappear. I think that kids have this one right!
Besides, there's a lot you can learn from these childhood pals, as demonstrated by this excerpt I found on another blog:
All I need to know I learned from the Easter Bunny
- Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
- Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.
- There’s no such thing as too much candy.
- All work and no play can make you a basket case.
- A cute tail attracts a lot of attention.
- Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.
- Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.
- Some body parts should be floppy.
- Keep your paws off of other people’s jelly beans.
- Good things come in small sugar coated packages.
- The grass is always greener in someone else’s basket.
- To show your true colors you have to come out of the shell.
- The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.
I say...live on, Easter Bunny!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Weekly Goal #4 - Getting Rid of the Clutter
First, let me explain about this week's quote. I really try to coordinate the quotes with each goal; however, I just could not find a good quote to fit for this week. I have a feeling this might happen from time to time, so I decided to just substitute a good "life" quote when it does.
Okay, on to this week's goal - getting rid of the clutter. I realize this could mean a number of things, but I'm talking about the physical, visible clutter that sometimes hides in drawers, closets, or other areas of houses and workplaces. I don't know why, but there are a few spots in my home where items tend to accumulate. One of these is our living room closet, which I've decided will be my project for this week.
Is clutter such a bad thing? No...but it's really not a great thing, either. It can make life harder while looking for misplaced items and lends a sense of disorganization to the home or office. In extreme cases, it can even affect a person's living conditions and relationships.
This is the challenge: Find an area that's cluttered and organize it. Believe me, you'll feel better once it's done, and your space will look better, too. As I mentioned above, I plan to reorganize my living room closet and will even post pictures (gulp) of the process.
Okay, on to this week's goal - getting rid of the clutter. I realize this could mean a number of things, but I'm talking about the physical, visible clutter that sometimes hides in drawers, closets, or other areas of houses and workplaces. I don't know why, but there are a few spots in my home where items tend to accumulate. One of these is our living room closet, which I've decided will be my project for this week.
Is clutter such a bad thing? No...but it's really not a great thing, either. It can make life harder while looking for misplaced items and lends a sense of disorganization to the home or office. In extreme cases, it can even affect a person's living conditions and relationships.
This is the challenge: Find an area that's cluttered and organize it. Believe me, you'll feel better once it's done, and your space will look better, too. As I mentioned above, I plan to reorganize my living room closet and will even post pictures (gulp) of the process.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Budgeting Ideas
This week's theme is "organizing your finances", and there really is no better way to do this than creating a budget.
Here are a few quick ideas about budgeting your finances:
Here are a few quick ideas about budgeting your finances:
- create a budget based on one month's income I feel this is the best approach as most bills are due on a monthly basis.
- write down financial obligations, beginning with the most important ones House/rent payment, food, power and water are some of the basics. After these, list other bills. Lastly, create an optional or "fun" list. Writing these expenditures down will help you visualize where your money is being spent.
- when possible, have important bills taken directly from your bank account This ensures they are paid on time, helping to avoid costly late fees.
- avoid overuse of credit cards Credit cards can be useful in some situations, but be careful - the amounts can quickly add up! Regular payments and frugal use will help you avoid some of the financial traps many consumers fall into.
- put money away for a rainy day My husband has a small amount of every paycheck directly deposited into a savings account. This extra bit has helped us out with unforeseen emergencies. It doesn't have to be a lot - even a little builds over time and can provide real dividends during difficult times.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Mind Games
I had a bit of a scare the other day.
I walked into my garage and found my cheese grater sitting on top of the work bench.
What the heck?!
Picking it up, I tried desperately to think how it got there. I've occasionally misplaced my keys and phone at times...but a cheese grater? Seriously?
I've tried to come to terms with getting older by ignoring the occasionally aches, decreasing stamina, and places that are starting to sag. But, as I turned the grater slowly in my hands, I began to wonder if my mind was starting to slip as well. After all, three of my great grandmothers had Alzheimer's .....
Just then, my 8th grader walked into the garage. Spotting the cheese grater, he took it from my grip and said, "Sorry Mom - I was in the middle of a project yesterday, and we were out of sand paper. I wanted to see if this would work instead but forgot to put it away. I'll do it right now."
Hallelujah - my thought process is still intact!
At least, for now.
I walked into my garage and found my cheese grater sitting on top of the work bench.
What the heck?!
Picking it up, I tried desperately to think how it got there. I've occasionally misplaced my keys and phone at times...but a cheese grater? Seriously?
I've tried to come to terms with getting older by ignoring the occasionally aches, decreasing stamina, and places that are starting to sag. But, as I turned the grater slowly in my hands, I began to wonder if my mind was starting to slip as well. After all, three of my great grandmothers had Alzheimer's .....
Just then, my 8th grader walked into the garage. Spotting the cheese grater, he took it from my grip and said, "Sorry Mom - I was in the middle of a project yesterday, and we were out of sand paper. I wanted to see if this would work instead but forgot to put it away. I'll do it right now."
Hallelujah - my thought process is still intact!
At least, for now.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Weekly Goal #3 - Organizing Your Finances
Wow, April is just whizzing by for me. In fact, I caught myself typing "weekly goal #2" in the title before realizing it is now the third week of April! This time of year always passes quickly for me; maybe it's the increased activity of my kids as they prepare for the end of school.
Before I introduce this week's goal, I'd like to you reflect for a moment about last week's efforts. For those of you who chose to participate, I hope you enjoyed it and were able to learn something productive.
April's theme is "ORGANIZATION", a value which can be applied to many areas of life. This week, I'd like to apply it to the area of finances. Many have been affected by recent economic developments, feeling a financial "pinch". While there might be little you can do about the economy, there are certainly ways to stretch a dollar. Planning errands beforehand can help save on gas, as can walking or biking to nearby destinations. Shopping sales and using coupons will save dollars at the register. Preparing a budget can help eliminate impulse spending, while saving for a rainy day will help prepare for unforeseen emergencies.
There are many ways to help bring your finances into order. My suggestion is to look at the area needing the most help, and start there. You'll be surprised how small changes can bring about big results!
Before I introduce this week's goal, I'd like to you reflect for a moment about last week's efforts. For those of you who chose to participate, I hope you enjoyed it and were able to learn something productive.
April's theme is "ORGANIZATION", a value which can be applied to many areas of life. This week, I'd like to apply it to the area of finances. Many have been affected by recent economic developments, feeling a financial "pinch". While there might be little you can do about the economy, there are certainly ways to stretch a dollar. Planning errands beforehand can help save on gas, as can walking or biking to nearby destinations. Shopping sales and using coupons will save dollars at the register. Preparing a budget can help eliminate impulse spending, while saving for a rainy day will help prepare for unforeseen emergencies.
There are many ways to help bring your finances into order. My suggestion is to look at the area needing the most help, and start there. You'll be surprised how small changes can bring about big results!
Friday, April 15, 2011
"Timely" Tips
I think we've all wanted more than 24 hours in a day at one point or another. The catch to this wish is that no matter how much time we have, we are always left with wanting more! The trick is learning to make better use of the time we have.
There are all sorts of books and professionals out there with detailed plans for time management. However, I'm going to share some of my personal strategies which seem to work best for me. Here's a quick excerpt from "Kim Beatty Time Management 101":
- Make your daily to-do list the night before you need it. It's easier to remember the things you need to do when you're not in a rush. This will also provide you with time to prioritize and/or organize the things you'd like to accomplish.
- Learn to multi-task in appropriate situations. If you get a phone call and you know you'll be on the line for a while, find an activity like sorting laundry to keep you busy while you chat. Waiting in a car for a child to finish a music lesson is a great time for balancing your checkbook. There are all sorts of small ways to increase your overall productivity!
- Find ways to reward yourself for completing your tasks. Try scheduling in some time for an activity you like that can be done when you've finished your other obligations. This can be something as simple as going for a short walk or reading a few pages from a favorite book. This strategy can be especially helpful when you're trying to complete a task you don't like, because it gives you something to look forward to :)
- Early to bed, early to rise. If my husband is reading this, he's probably laughing his head off. This is something I really struggle with - I'm a "night owl" and prefer to stay up late. However, if I look at most of the activities I participate in after 9 p.m., they're really not all that productive (watching TV, surfing the net). Going to bed sooner and getting up at an earlier time would definitely help me accomplish more each day.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Weekly Goal #2 Industry - Making the Most of Your Time
The goal for this week has to do with industry.
In today's world, this word is recognized more often by its use as a noun, rather than a verb.
I live in a state where "industry" was important to its founders; in fact, the symbol found on Utah's flag is a beehive (bees are considered hard workers). I find it interesting that many of the people living here would probably NOT be considered very industrious - especially by pioneer standards.
There are many distractions in this day and age. While the advancements of technology have brought about much good, I believe they have also given our society too much opportunity to waste time. Television, internet, texting, gaming systems...the list could go on.
I'm as guilty as the next person when it comes to allowing these activities to sometimes take up too much of my time. It's easy to get online to catch up with friends...and suddenly, an hour's gone by.
My resolve for this week is to monitor HOW I am spending my time and strive to use it more productively. Am I staying completely away from the things I mentioned above? The answer is no. However, I plan to participate in these activities less frequently and spend more time on what's really important in my life.
As the quote of the week states: Life is like a coin - you can only spend it once.
Are you spending it wisely?
In today's world, this word is recognized more often by its use as a noun, rather than a verb.
I live in a state where "industry" was important to its founders; in fact, the symbol found on Utah's flag is a beehive (bees are considered hard workers). I find it interesting that many of the people living here would probably NOT be considered very industrious - especially by pioneer standards.
There are many distractions in this day and age. While the advancements of technology have brought about much good, I believe they have also given our society too much opportunity to waste time. Television, internet, texting, gaming systems...the list could go on.
I'm as guilty as the next person when it comes to allowing these activities to sometimes take up too much of my time. It's easy to get online to catch up with friends...and suddenly, an hour's gone by.
My resolve for this week is to monitor HOW I am spending my time and strive to use it more productively. Am I staying completely away from the things I mentioned above? The answer is no. However, I plan to participate in these activities less frequently and spend more time on what's really important in my life.
As the quote of the week states: Life is like a coin - you can only spend it once.
Are you spending it wisely?
Sunday, April 10, 2011
How Did You Do?
As a new week is just a few hours away, I thought I'd better check in and see how things went.
First, I have a confession to make. It was an interesting week for me. I didn't have much spare time... so I didn't finish making my list of priorities.
Sorry :(
Actually, I expect this will happen from time to time as life unfolds and unplanned events crop up. Instead of getting upset at myself for missing the boat this time, I hope to finish up my priority list this week as I also work on the next goal.
At least, that's the plan!
To review what we're doing, April 's focus is ORGANIZATION, with the first week's goal being "setting priorities". How did you do? Better than myself, I hope :)
Join me tomorrow as I post the second week's quote and goal for April.
First, I have a confession to make. It was an interesting week for me. I didn't have much spare time... so I didn't finish making my list of priorities.
Sorry :(
Actually, I expect this will happen from time to time as life unfolds and unplanned events crop up. Instead of getting upset at myself for missing the boat this time, I hope to finish up my priority list this week as I also work on the next goal.
At least, that's the plan!
To review what we're doing, April 's focus is ORGANIZATION, with the first week's goal being "setting priorities". How did you do? Better than myself, I hope :)
Join me tomorrow as I post the second week's quote and goal for April.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
The Good Old Days
My husband sent me this e-mail; although I was born in 1971, I could relate SO well to its contents. I realized just how different things are for my children now:
It made me wonder if the addition of so much technology is actually a benefit to our youth, or if its overuse is leading to social problems. How has our children's generation been affected by the societal changes of the last 25 years?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To Those of Us Born
1940 - 1970 :
~~~~~~~~~
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE
1950s, '60s and '70s!!
First, we survived being born to mothers who may have smoked and/or drank
while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.
After that trauma, we were
put to sleep on our tummies
in cribs covered
with bright colored lead-based paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks cabinets,
and, when we rode our bikes,
we had baseball caps,
not helmets, on our heads.
As infants and children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no seat belts, and no air bags.
Riding in the back of a pick- up truck on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose
not from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from only one bottle, and
no one actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter, and even bacon. We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar. And we weren't overweight. ... WHY?
Because we were always outside playing...that's why!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day.
--And, we were actually OKAY.
We would spend hours building
our go-carts out of scraps..
and then ride them down the hill,
only to find out we forgot the brakes.. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Play Stations, Nintendos, Wii or X-boxes. There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable,
no video movies or DVDs,
no surround-sound or CDs,
no cell phones, no iPads,
no personal computers,
no Internet and no chat rooms.
WE HAD FRIENDS
and we went outside to find them!
We fell out of trees, got cut,
broke bones and teeth,
and there were no lawsuits
from any of those accidents.
We would get spankings with wooden spoons, fly swatters, switches, ping-pong paddles, or just a bare hand, and no one called child services to report abuse.
We would get spankings with wooden spoons, fly swatters, switches, ping-pong paddles, or just a bare hand, and no one called child services to report abuse.
We ate worms, and mud pies
made from real dirt, and
the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls, and -although we were told it WOULD happen- we did not put out very many eyes.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or maybe even just walked in and talked to them.
Little League had tryouts
and NOT everyone made the team.
Those who didn't had to learn
to deal with disappointment.
Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. Our parents actually sided with the law!
Our generations have produced some of the best risk-takers,
problem solvers, and inventors ever.
The past 50 years have seen an explosion of innovation and new ideas..
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.
If YOU are one of those born
between 1950-1970, CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids during this time.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it ?
~~~~~~~
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Weekly Goal #1 - Setting Priorities
As I mentioned in the last post, April's theme is about finding organization. Organization is an extremely helpful tool in eliminating stress, realizing goals, and increasing productivity. There are many ways to achieve organization; the one I'm going to address now is that of setting priorities.
What are priorities? According to the online Cambridge Dictionary, a priority is "something that is very important and must be dealt with before other things." Basically, a priority is something you choose to make important.
Why is setting priorities so critical? The answer is they help determine our choices. I'm of the LDS religion, and last week was our church's semiannual General Conference. One of the speakers was apostle Dallin H. Oaks, and he spoke on something similar to this topic. He stated, "Desires determine our priorities, our priorities determine our choices, and our choices determine our actions." Obviously, setting priorities is a very important step in determining which direction your life is taking.
Where are you at in your life? Turning forty this year has been a great excuse for me to examine my efforts. However, this examination is something you can do at any time, and probably should do periodically. Once you assess your current situation, ask yourself this question - where do I want to be? I've discovered that while I am mostly satisfied with my life at this point, there are some areas I'd definitely like to change.
In order to do that, I'm going to do a little rearranging of my life. Decide what's really important to me, then set some new priorities. Examine my decisions and see what's going to bring me long term fulfillment versus short term pleasure.
I once heard a story about a little boy who really wanted to be a doctor. In discussing this desire with his parents, they brought up the many sacrifices he'd have to make. They talked about the many years of schooling it would take and the substantial amount of money he'd have to invest in his education. "I don't care what it takes," the little boy said, "I want to become a doctor more than anything else in the world!"
The parents then brought up the fact that he'd have to spend his weekends in rounds. The little boy's face immediately fell. "Well, then I can't be a doctor," he stated sadly. Surprised by this reversal of attitude, the parents asked their son why he'd changed his mind.
"Because I'd have to give up my Saturday cartoons," was his reply.
While this story is "cute", it teaches an important lesson. How many of us are distracted by the "Saturday cartoons" in our life and failing to pursue what's really important?
This week's assignment is about looking at and setting your priorities. Are you satisfied with who you are? If the answer is "no"...change them! You'll have to decide what those priorities are, as every one's life and desires are different.
What are priorities? According to the online Cambridge Dictionary, a priority is "something that is very important and must be dealt with before other things." Basically, a priority is something you choose to make important.
Why is setting priorities so critical? The answer is they help determine our choices. I'm of the LDS religion, and last week was our church's semiannual General Conference. One of the speakers was apostle Dallin H. Oaks, and he spoke on something similar to this topic. He stated, "Desires determine our priorities, our priorities determine our choices, and our choices determine our actions." Obviously, setting priorities is a very important step in determining which direction your life is taking.
Where are you at in your life? Turning forty this year has been a great excuse for me to examine my efforts. However, this examination is something you can do at any time, and probably should do periodically. Once you assess your current situation, ask yourself this question - where do I want to be? I've discovered that while I am mostly satisfied with my life at this point, there are some areas I'd definitely like to change.
In order to do that, I'm going to do a little rearranging of my life. Decide what's really important to me, then set some new priorities. Examine my decisions and see what's going to bring me long term fulfillment versus short term pleasure.
I once heard a story about a little boy who really wanted to be a doctor. In discussing this desire with his parents, they brought up the many sacrifices he'd have to make. They talked about the many years of schooling it would take and the substantial amount of money he'd have to invest in his education. "I don't care what it takes," the little boy said, "I want to become a doctor more than anything else in the world!"
The parents then brought up the fact that he'd have to spend his weekends in rounds. The little boy's face immediately fell. "Well, then I can't be a doctor," he stated sadly. Surprised by this reversal of attitude, the parents asked their son why he'd changed his mind.
"Because I'd have to give up my Saturday cartoons," was his reply.
While this story is "cute", it teaches an important lesson. How many of us are distracted by the "Saturday cartoons" in our life and failing to pursue what's really important?
This week's assignment is about looking at and setting your priorities. Are you satisfied with who you are? If the answer is "no"...change them! You'll have to decide what those priorities are, as every one's life and desires are different.
Monday, April 4, 2011
April is Here!
April is here.
You know what that means.
Yes - a new focus will be spotlighted!!
Okay, so maybe you're not quite as excited about it as I am, but I have been wanting to work on the next focus for quite some time. You see, April's focus is ORGANIZATION.
I used to be quite an organized person. However, marriage happened...then kids happened... then life happened. While I still mostly manage to accomplish what I need to, it's done in a much less organized way than what I'd like.
I'd like to get myself back on track by following the weekly goals, and as always, I invite you to join me. Or, if you have the organization thing down, offer some pointers :)
Please check back in a day or two as I discuss the first week's goal of learning to prioritize.
You know what that means.
Yes - a new focus will be spotlighted!!
Okay, so maybe you're not quite as excited about it as I am, but I have been wanting to work on the next focus for quite some time. You see, April's focus is ORGANIZATION.
I used to be quite an organized person. However, marriage happened...then kids happened... then life happened. While I still mostly manage to accomplish what I need to, it's done in a much less organized way than what I'd like.
I'd like to get myself back on track by following the weekly goals, and as always, I invite you to join me. Or, if you have the organization thing down, offer some pointers :)
Please check back in a day or two as I discuss the first week's goal of learning to prioritize.
Friday, April 1, 2011
March Recap
 |
| Spring in the desert |
I hope you had a delightful March. I know I did - especially this last week as the warm weather of spring finally seems like it's here to stay!
Before moving on to April's focus next week, I thought I'd review March and its goals. The focus of March was "FINDING SELF". I chose the area of self to start things off with because I feel that in order to be in a position to help those around you, you first must be happy with yourself. The weekly goals were as follows (click on the week to bring up the post):
- Week one - self discovery
- Week two - joy in the journey
- Week three - trying something new
- Week four - forgiving yourself
So farewell, March. You are now gone, but hopefully the goals and change you've brought will not be forgotten.
(P.S. did you notice I changed the weekly quote? Check back soon to read my thoughts on it!)
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
How Did You Do?
I know I'm a few days behind on this post; but I feel this subject was important enough to give it a little more time.
Last week's goal was learning how to forgive yourself. Doing what you can to fix your mistakes, then having the courage to move on. Letting go of baggage so you can focus on LIVING your life instead in staying mired in the past.
How did you do? I know this is something I've struggled with my entire life - but I am getting better at it. If nothing else, hopefully you were able to let go of some of the minor things you've regretted. Sometimes, tackling the bigger issues takes some planning and major readjustment of your habits and behavior.
Self forgiveness. Great concept, hard to do. Like any other skill you want to master, it takes practice. It takes time. But once that burden is lifted, it can be so liberating!
To change subjects, this month happens to have five weeks in it, and I only had four weekly goals planned.
Hmmm.
I think maybe I'll use my next post to recap March's focus of "self" and review each of the weekly goals. For those of you just joining me, it will be as if you've missed nothing at all.
You can thank me later ;)
Last week's goal was learning how to forgive yourself. Doing what you can to fix your mistakes, then having the courage to move on. Letting go of baggage so you can focus on LIVING your life instead in staying mired in the past.
How did you do? I know this is something I've struggled with my entire life - but I am getting better at it. If nothing else, hopefully you were able to let go of some of the minor things you've regretted. Sometimes, tackling the bigger issues takes some planning and major readjustment of your habits and behavior.
Self forgiveness. Great concept, hard to do. Like any other skill you want to master, it takes practice. It takes time. But once that burden is lifted, it can be so liberating!
To change subjects, this month happens to have five weeks in it, and I only had four weekly goals planned.
Hmmm.
I think maybe I'll use my next post to recap March's focus of "self" and review each of the weekly goals. For those of you just joining me, it will be as if you've missed nothing at all.
You can thank me later ;)
Sunday, March 27, 2011
To Forgive, Divine
First of all, thanks to those who've let me know you're reading and enjoying this blog; it really makes it worth the effort :)
There is a quote which states "To err is human; to forgive, divine." My interpretation of the first part is: due to human nature, we will make mistakes. No one is perfect; it's a matter of when, not if, we are bound to do something wrong. And while everyone makes mistakes, not everyone is equipped to forgive others their shortcomings. This is where the second section of the saying comes in. While it's within human nature to err, learning to forgive is often something which fails to come naturally. It's an attribute worthy to strive towards, one that will elevate us a to a higher level of living.
While we recognize the importance of forgiving others, how often do we realize the necessity of applying this concept to ourselves. I would even like to argue that in order to fully be able to forgive others, we must first be able to move beyond our own shortcomings.
What is the danger of hanging on to past mistakes? An example that comes to mind is when I played basketball in high school. I worked hard and had some natural ability, yet during my sophomore and junior years, I often found myself on the bench for varsity games. I stressed and wondered why I didn't play more minutes. After analyzing my performance, I came to a startling conclusion - I had been responsible for the coach's hesitance to play me. I realized that whenever I made a mistake while playing, I was obsessively worried and focused about what I'd done. Instead of moving on, I was stuck replaying what had gone wrong, becoming an ineffectual player for the remainder of the game. Luckily, I was able to adjust my mindset during my senior year, and as a result, played more minutes and even started some games.
In life, how often are we trapped or paralyzed by holding on to our past mistakes, basically taking ourselves "out of the game"? Life goes on whether we're prepared or not, so it's up to us to forgive ourselves, forget our mistakes, and once more became an effective player.
What things prevent us from self forgiveness? The following behaviors are some I have personally struggled with:
Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying it's okay to do anything you want without care for the consequences. There are mistakes which definitely need to be rectified, especially those that affect your relationships with others. I recommend that you do what you can to fix it, try never to do it again, and then move on.
After all, YOU are the most important player in your game of life... and it's just not worth taking yourself indefinitely out of the game.
There is a quote which states "To err is human; to forgive, divine." My interpretation of the first part is: due to human nature, we will make mistakes. No one is perfect; it's a matter of when, not if, we are bound to do something wrong. And while everyone makes mistakes, not everyone is equipped to forgive others their shortcomings. This is where the second section of the saying comes in. While it's within human nature to err, learning to forgive is often something which fails to come naturally. It's an attribute worthy to strive towards, one that will elevate us a to a higher level of living.
While we recognize the importance of forgiving others, how often do we realize the necessity of applying this concept to ourselves. I would even like to argue that in order to fully be able to forgive others, we must first be able to move beyond our own shortcomings.
What is the danger of hanging on to past mistakes? An example that comes to mind is when I played basketball in high school. I worked hard and had some natural ability, yet during my sophomore and junior years, I often found myself on the bench for varsity games. I stressed and wondered why I didn't play more minutes. After analyzing my performance, I came to a startling conclusion - I had been responsible for the coach's hesitance to play me. I realized that whenever I made a mistake while playing, I was obsessively worried and focused about what I'd done. Instead of moving on, I was stuck replaying what had gone wrong, becoming an ineffectual player for the remainder of the game. Luckily, I was able to adjust my mindset during my senior year, and as a result, played more minutes and even started some games.
In life, how often are we trapped or paralyzed by holding on to our past mistakes, basically taking ourselves "out of the game"? Life goes on whether we're prepared or not, so it's up to us to forgive ourselves, forget our mistakes, and once more became an effective player.
What things prevent us from self forgiveness? The following behaviors are some I have personally struggled with:
- unrealistic expectations
- feelings of unworthiness
- focusing on what others might think
Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying it's okay to do anything you want without care for the consequences. There are mistakes which definitely need to be rectified, especially those that affect your relationships with others. I recommend that you do what you can to fix it, try never to do it again, and then move on.
After all, YOU are the most important player in your game of life... and it's just not worth taking yourself indefinitely out of the game.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
An Honest Woman
This little guy is trying his hardest to ensure I remain an honest woman:
Remember THIS post about embracing the fact I've turned forty by not feeling ashamed to tell others my age? It seems my child is determined to hold me to that; he's been taking great delight lately in announcing to the world (both friends and strangers) that his mom is now forty years old.
The lastest incidence happened over the weekend while visiting a park. My son and and another child were playing on a piece of bouncy equipment which had three seats, and they were wanting someone else to balance it out. The little girl turned to her mother and asked if she could join them. The mother took one look at the bouncy seat and declined, saying she was too big.
This is when my son pipes up and says,"That's okay - my mom was riding on it just a few minutes ago before you guys came and she's a lot bigger than you. She's FORTY years old!"
If anyone out there hasn't heard by now, yes - I'm forty. And if you care to disagree, just ask my little boy. He's more than ready to tell you just how old I am!
Remember THIS post about embracing the fact I've turned forty by not feeling ashamed to tell others my age? It seems my child is determined to hold me to that; he's been taking great delight lately in announcing to the world (both friends and strangers) that his mom is now forty years old.
The lastest incidence happened over the weekend while visiting a park. My son and and another child were playing on a piece of bouncy equipment which had three seats, and they were wanting someone else to balance it out. The little girl turned to her mother and asked if she could join them. The mother took one look at the bouncy seat and declined, saying she was too big.
This is when my son pipes up and says,"That's okay - my mom was riding on it just a few minutes ago before you guys came and she's a lot bigger than you. She's FORTY years old!"
If anyone out there hasn't heard by now, yes - I'm forty. And if you care to disagree, just ask my little boy. He's more than ready to tell you just how old I am!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Weekly Goal #4 - Forgiving Yourself
Wow, it's hard to believe the fourth week of March is already here! I don't know about you, but I'm ready for spring to stay.
It's the start of a new week, which means its time to begin work on a new goal. As the title of this post states, the goal for this week is "forgiving yourself".
I tend to be my own worst critic. When I make a mistake, I can harp over the issue for sometimes days or even weeks, depending on how important it was. I'm sure most everyone has felt the same way at some point. The result of this behavior is baggage we create for ourselves, baggage that we drag around. This baggage affects our ability to be happy, can prevent us from being productive, and interferes with our relationships with others. It may even eventually pull us down into depression.
This week, I'm going to resolve to stop beating myself up over past mistakes. When I do mess up - which will happen, as I'm only human - I will try to fix it the best I can and then move on. I am willing to forgive others; I need to extend that same courtesy to myself. After all, life is too short for dwelling on the "what ifs" and "should haves".
It's the start of a new week, which means its time to begin work on a new goal. As the title of this post states, the goal for this week is "forgiving yourself".
I tend to be my own worst critic. When I make a mistake, I can harp over the issue for sometimes days or even weeks, depending on how important it was. I'm sure most everyone has felt the same way at some point. The result of this behavior is baggage we create for ourselves, baggage that we drag around. This baggage affects our ability to be happy, can prevent us from being productive, and interferes with our relationships with others. It may even eventually pull us down into depression.
This week, I'm going to resolve to stop beating myself up over past mistakes. When I do mess up - which will happen, as I'm only human - I will try to fix it the best I can and then move on. I am willing to forgive others; I need to extend that same courtesy to myself. After all, life is too short for dwelling on the "what ifs" and "should haves".
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Checking In
First of all, I want to apologize to those of you who read my last post before I had a chance to proof it. I was a little distracted when I wrote it, which was pretty evident when I went back later and saw the many mistakes I'd made. Sorry to those of you who had to suffer through it!
Anyway, it's the end of the week, and you know what that means.
Time to see how the week went!
Did you try something new, or make a goal to do so? Hopefully, at the very least you were able to examine your life and think about any changes you might want to make.
I completed my goal by running in a 10K race yesterday:
Initially, I was a bit nervous about competing but I am SO GLAD I was able to overcome my fears. I had a great experience and beat my goal time by over three minutes. I finished in the top third of my age group and came in 294th out of 800 runners. I will definitely be doing this again!
Please check in tomorrow as I reveal the fourth and final goal of "finding self".
I hope you're having a wonderful weekend :)
Anyway, it's the end of the week, and you know what that means.
Time to see how the week went!
Did you try something new, or make a goal to do so? Hopefully, at the very least you were able to examine your life and think about any changes you might want to make.
I completed my goal by running in a 10K race yesterday:
with my littlest fan after the race
Initially, I was a bit nervous about competing but I am SO GLAD I was able to overcome my fears. I had a great experience and beat my goal time by over three minutes. I finished in the top third of my age group and came in 294th out of 800 runners. I will definitely be doing this again!
Please check in tomorrow as I reveal the fourth and final goal of "finding self".
I hope you're having a wonderful weekend :)
Friday, March 18, 2011
Overcoming Fear
Dare to dream, learn to fly
You'll never know until
you try...
As I posted at the beginning of the week, this week's goal is "try something new".
I've often wondered what it is that prevents someone from spreading their wings and breaking out of their comfort zone. There are many things one can use as an excuse - lack of time, money issues, and not knowing where to start, just to name a few. However, I believe these excuses are used to hide the much bigger reason we fail to push ourselves - FEAR.
Fear of making mistakes. Fear of ridicule. Fear of failure
And sometimes, even fear of success.
How many times have you wanted to try something new, only to be stopped by doubts and fears? I know some of the thoughts I've experienced are: What if it doesn't work? What if I end up looking foolish? What will others think of me?
I'm currently having some issues with my four-year-old about this very subject. He tends to be very routine-oriented and is somewhat of a perfectionist. As a result, he's hesitant about trying anything new and gets extremely upset if he can't do it right the first time. Sometimes, he'll even refuse to try at all if he feels he can't win or be the best at it. This reaction may seem childish and extreme, but how many of you have ever felt the same way?
What happens when you give in to your doubts? You end up staying in the safety of what you know and are comfortable with. I know you're thinking that doesn't sound like a bad place to be, and I guess it's not. Yet, it's not a good place to be, either. You see, if you always stick with the status quo, you create stasis - the opposite of change. The result? You end up cheating yourself by failing to provide opportunities for growth.
Our daughter has nearly the opposite attitude as our youngest; she is willing to give almost anything a try. As a result, she has found growth and happiness through a variety of experiences. One of these is swimming, a sport she took up when she was eight years old. For the past ten years, swimming has been a major part of her life as she's competed for both high school and club. Not only has she enjoyed success in winning the majority of her races, but the growth she has gained through dedication, sacrifice, and being part of a team has been outstanding. My husband and I cannot imagine what the past decade would have been like without swimming and know our daughter would not be the same person without having this experience. We are extremely grateful that at that critical point ten years ago, our daughter was willing to give this "new" activity a try!
Sometimes, working up the courage push out of a comfort zone is easier said that done. Here are some strategies I've found helpful:
You'll never know until
you try...
As I posted at the beginning of the week, this week's goal is "try something new".
I've often wondered what it is that prevents someone from spreading their wings and breaking out of their comfort zone. There are many things one can use as an excuse - lack of time, money issues, and not knowing where to start, just to name a few. However, I believe these excuses are used to hide the much bigger reason we fail to push ourselves - FEAR.
Fear of making mistakes. Fear of ridicule. Fear of failure
And sometimes, even fear of success.
How many times have you wanted to try something new, only to be stopped by doubts and fears? I know some of the thoughts I've experienced are: What if it doesn't work? What if I end up looking foolish? What will others think of me?
I'm currently having some issues with my four-year-old about this very subject. He tends to be very routine-oriented and is somewhat of a perfectionist. As a result, he's hesitant about trying anything new and gets extremely upset if he can't do it right the first time. Sometimes, he'll even refuse to try at all if he feels he can't win or be the best at it. This reaction may seem childish and extreme, but how many of you have ever felt the same way?
What happens when you give in to your doubts? You end up staying in the safety of what you know and are comfortable with. I know you're thinking that doesn't sound like a bad place to be, and I guess it's not. Yet, it's not a good place to be, either. You see, if you always stick with the status quo, you create stasis - the opposite of change. The result? You end up cheating yourself by failing to provide opportunities for growth.
Our daughter has nearly the opposite attitude as our youngest; she is willing to give almost anything a try. As a result, she has found growth and happiness through a variety of experiences. One of these is swimming, a sport she took up when she was eight years old. For the past ten years, swimming has been a major part of her life as she's competed for both high school and club. Not only has she enjoyed success in winning the majority of her races, but the growth she has gained through dedication, sacrifice, and being part of a team has been outstanding. My husband and I cannot imagine what the past decade would have been like without swimming and know our daughter would not be the same person without having this experience. We are extremely grateful that at that critical point ten years ago, our daughter was willing to give this "new" activity a try!
Sometimes, working up the courage push out of a comfort zone is easier said that done. Here are some strategies I've found helpful:
- Start small. If you're having difficulty breaking out of your comfort zone, trying expanding on something you already know or are comfortable with.
- Do it for yourself. Don't try something because of pressure from someone else. In order to have a good experience, you need do do it because YOU want to.
- Avoid setting yourself up to fail. When I decided to run a 10k, I knew I couldn't just show up the day of the race and expect to finish without training first. Take the necessary measures and preparation to succeed.
- If at first you don't succeed... If things don't go as planned, it's okay - maybe you'll get it right next time. It took Thomas Edison around 1000 tries before he created a working light bulb; I'm sure glad he didn't give it up after the the first time!
- There is no age limit. It's never too late to start, and you can definitely teach an old dog new tricks! A good example of this is acclaimed artist Grandma Moses, who didn't start painting until her eighties.
- Don't worry about what others might think. It's YOUR life, and other people shouldn't make judgements and assumptions. And if they do - who cares? The only person you should try to impress is yourself :)
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
What I am Doing
I thought I'd share the new thing I'm trying this week.
I'm planning to run my first 10k.
Friends who know me from high school are probably thinking 'what's the big deal about that?' For those of you who know little about me or my earlier years, let me share a bit of my background. I was a sprinter. A member of the high school track team for four years and a state champion in three events. I had scholarship offers, but an injury at the state meet my senior year put an end to pursuing a collegiate career. However, I loved running and continued to run regularly into my late twenties.
However, a year after the birth of my third child, I began to experience major health problems. Debilitating health problems. After a battery of tests was inconclusive, the doctors decided I was probably experiencing chronic fatigue syndrome. I would have bouts of intense fibromyalgia and painful joints, sometimes accompanied by phlebitis (swelling and irritation of the veins). For roughly a year, I was nearly bedridden. It was an extremely difficult time for me and my family, as you can imagine.
After making some lifestyle changes, I slowly began to improve. I resumed my regular activities as soon as I was able - almost all of them, that is. After months of trying to run, I learned my body could no long handle high impact exercise, and I sadly gave up my great love.
For ten years, I gradually became stronger. About two years ago, I decided the time had come to give running another try. We had just moved to St. George, and the climate is perfect for year-round training. I was a little hesitant to begin with, but after experimentation found I could handle 3-4 days of moderate training per week without flaring up my joint and muscle problems.
What a joy it's been to be able to return to something I loved so dearly! There have been adjustments made; I was a sprinter before, not a distance runner, and I don't know if I'll ever return to 100%. Yet, I've been able to compete in two 5k races so far. I decided it was time to push myself out of my comfort zone and tackle a 10k.
So there you have it - I'm trying my first 10k this weekend. Am I nervous? Yes, a bit. But, I can always walk it if I need to...and I'll never know if I can do it until I at least try.
I'm planning to run my first 10k.
Friends who know me from high school are probably thinking 'what's the big deal about that?' For those of you who know little about me or my earlier years, let me share a bit of my background. I was a sprinter. A member of the high school track team for four years and a state champion in three events. I had scholarship offers, but an injury at the state meet my senior year put an end to pursuing a collegiate career. However, I loved running and continued to run regularly into my late twenties.
However, a year after the birth of my third child, I began to experience major health problems. Debilitating health problems. After a battery of tests was inconclusive, the doctors decided I was probably experiencing chronic fatigue syndrome. I would have bouts of intense fibromyalgia and painful joints, sometimes accompanied by phlebitis (swelling and irritation of the veins). For roughly a year, I was nearly bedridden. It was an extremely difficult time for me and my family, as you can imagine.
After making some lifestyle changes, I slowly began to improve. I resumed my regular activities as soon as I was able - almost all of them, that is. After months of trying to run, I learned my body could no long handle high impact exercise, and I sadly gave up my great love.
For ten years, I gradually became stronger. About two years ago, I decided the time had come to give running another try. We had just moved to St. George, and the climate is perfect for year-round training. I was a little hesitant to begin with, but after experimentation found I could handle 3-4 days of moderate training per week without flaring up my joint and muscle problems.
What a joy it's been to be able to return to something I loved so dearly! There have been adjustments made; I was a sprinter before, not a distance runner, and I don't know if I'll ever return to 100%. Yet, I've been able to compete in two 5k races so far. I decided it was time to push myself out of my comfort zone and tackle a 10k.
So there you have it - I'm trying my first 10k this weekend. Am I nervous? Yes, a bit. But, I can always walk it if I need to...and I'll never know if I can do it until I at least try.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)