Tag Archives | lifestyle
Santa Claus with a little girl

How to Keep Your Sanity (and get stuff done too) This Holiday Season

By on November 25, 2011 in Happiness, Life Balance, Productivity, Sanity Savers
Santa Claus with a little girl

Image via Wikipedia

The holiday season is fabulous time of cheer, good will and a lighter mood for most, but it can also be stress-laden and overwhelming to many. It’s hard to stay focused in the midst of holiday shopping, music, parties and revelry. It can also take a herculean effort to actually accomplish anything of substance at work while trying to juggle your extra family obligations at home.

What can you do?

Take some time for yourself – Yes, it may be tough, but you really do need to stop and catch your breath.

Set reasonable expectations – You cannot possibly accept every invitation and opportunity that comes your way. Don’t even try…and don’t feel guilty. If you can’t make it to the company party because Johnny has a school pageant, so be it. And if you just don’t have the energy to make 5 dozen cookies for the charity bake sale, then don’t commit to that. Don’t be a martyr. You can only squeeze so much into your day.

Pay attention to your health – Don’t use the excuse of a packed calendar to let your health slide. You will feel better and have more energy if you try to stay active and make somewhat healthy food choices. Instead modify if you need to. Swap out that glass of wine for eggnog. Cut back to a 20 minute walk at lunch if you can’t get to the gym after work.

Plan, plan, plan – Make a gift list, make a party list, keep a shopping list handy. Also, block out uninterrupted time for quiet, focused work. It’s more important now than ever to plan your day, your time and your most important tasks.

Lighten up. Try to have fun while you’re working and preparing for the holidays. Crank up the holiday music, put on your Santa hat and reward yourself with a cookie while you’re getting things done.

What is your biggest holiday stressor?

How do you keep yourself sane and productive? 

Question everything, move forward, enjoy the journey.

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thank you note for every language

Who Needs Thanksgiving Anyway?

By on November 4, 2011 in Personal Growth, Wisdom
thank you note for every language

Image by woodleywonderworks via Flickr

We do.

Because without it we too easily slip into the complacency of taking life’s treasures for granted and complaining about petty inconveniences.

I’m not a huge Thanksgiving connoisseur; vegetarian, don’t watch football, hate cleaning up the kitchen and so on, but what I do like is that it gives us a chance to slow down for just a minute and think about those things little things that together combine to make a life worth living, a business worth growing.

Quickly, off the top of your head list 10 things you are happy to have around you; that you would hate to do without.

 My 10 things I’m grateful for right now:

Good health – Though I have my aches and pains like everyone else on the other side of 40, I am alive and fully functional.

Family – A husband who is not deployed this year, a mother and sibling who are close by, children I adore and a new grandson who I absolutely cherish.

Good friends – Steady, wise old ones and wonderfully witty new ones.

A house over my head and food on the table – In this economy…enough said.

Technology that allows me to play “Words” with my friends and family in different cities and see photos and videos of my grandson in the palm of my hand.

A good book…or 10 or 20,000. Words have power – humor, knowledge, comfort and inspiration.

Online shopping – For a busy mom, it is a lifesaver!

Music – Whether working, relaxing, dancing or even exercising, music soothes and energizes at the same time.

Laughter – Smile and brighten someone’s day; laugh and the world laughs with you.

A really good movie – Having recently been disappointed by some of the not-so-well-done productions churned out by the movie industry, I am ever so grateful for the wonderful ones that make me laugh or cry or get angry, especially a masterful work that can do all three.

What’s on your list?

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Celebrate...

Self Indulgent Birthday Gift to Myself

By on October 23, 2011 in Life Balance, Personal Growth
Celebrate...

Image by Јerry via Flickr

As a very self-indulgent birthday gift to myself, I’m going to share my favorite poem of all time. Though it may not be relevant to business; it is most certainly relevant to life.

Happy birthday to me! 

I have a beautifully framed version of this poem sitting on my bookshelf, given to me by a dear friend, that I look at every day to remind myself to be thankful for each day I am given. In the spirit of gratitude I’d like to share it with you.

If I Had My Life To Live Over

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television – and more while watching life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.”

There would have been more “I love you’s”.. More “I’m sorrys” …

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute… look at it and really see it … live it…and never give it back.

© Erma Bombeck

Question everything, move forward, enjoy the journey.

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Sun going down

Why Do We Resist What We Need Most?

By on October 21, 2011 in Happiness, Life Balance, Sanity Savers
Sun going down

Image by RoyaleScuderi via Flickr

We all need time away, to reflect, to restore…to rest. Why is it that when the opportunity presents itself we either obsess about it or push it out of our minds?

Personal confession: My husband and I have been planning a long weekend away for several months to celebrate our anniversary (and a bit of my birthday too since they are 5 days apart.) He missed both occasions last year (deployed to Afghanistan.)But for most of that time I stubbornly refused to research what activities we might wish to do, where we might like to eat, what I would need to bring and the arrangements that needed to be made (dogs, kids, etc.).

Why?

Perhaps it was because it was still in the future and I didn’t want to get excited too early. Perhaps it was too stressful thinking about arrangements and choices. Here’s another confession…I really hate making decisions…big or small…I hate them all. (We’ll dissect that another time.)

The truth.

I think that I was too darn busy and this was just one more item to add to my already burgeoning to-do list. How many of you feel that same way? C’mon be honest.

Planning your vacation turns out to be so stressful that you end up not enjoying it.

Thinking about upcoming celebrations puts you over the edge; gifts, food, invitations, shopping, too much to think about!– birthday parties, entertaining, Christmas…(Don’t even go there, I’m getting hives.)

You have a long weekend coming up so in preparation you work 10 hour days to get everything done and you’re too exhausted to enjoy your time away.

Or while you’re on your break away, you can’t stop thinking about everything you need to do at work, at home, when you get back and worse you’re annoyed by your inability to relax. (Wait…Maybe that’s just me?)

So, what can we do? How do we fix this?

I really don’t have the answer to this one. But here’s what I’m going to try:

I’m going to read some of my old posts on the importance of recharging, refueling, rest and relaxation…and try to take some of my own advice.

I’m going to remind myself that I am lucky to have a husband and partner that I truly enjoy spending time with and further that he and our relationship deserves my time and attention (more of taking my own coaching advice.)

I am going to take a deep breath and unplug… totally. I sense a bit of anxiety just writing that…must be social connection & technology withdrawal anticipation(might have to toss in a Facebook or Twitter mobile pic upload.) (I really must listen to my own coaching more often!)

Wish me luck! And if you have any advice to toss my way…please…feel free.

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Labor Day – Doing Your Part

By on September 5, 2011 in Gratitude

In honor of Labor Day I wanted to share what one group is doing to support those who make the lives and opportunities we all share possible. Remember that while many of us enjoy a holiday there are thousands of troops who do not get ANY holidays off.

All the branches of service have bands and choirs for musically talented troops. These groups are often viewed as an opportunity to promote the military and showcase talent. Air Force Staff Sgt. Chad Usher met up with one Airman who is taking this opportunity to another level…

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Angie Johnson and Sidewinder perform a cover of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” Sidewinder is part of the 571st Air Force Band, 131st Bomb Wing, Air National Guard. They are deployed as the U.S. Air Forces Central Command Band…

Watch them perform “Rolling in the Deep.” Angie has some pipes!

Find out more…

Sidewinder on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SidewinderANGband

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Nicer office (3)

Take Care of Your Anchors and Move Forward

By on June 10, 2011 in Life Balance, Sanity Savers, Success
Nicer office (3)

Image by Jeff Henshaw via Flickr

What do you want to get done this weekend? Do you have any lingering projects hanging over your head or physical areas that really need some organizing or cleaning attention?

Unfinished work, professional or personal, weigh us down like anchors keeping us stuck and prevent us from moving forward. And sadly most of us have many of these in our lives; projects we never completed, tasks we never got around too, cluttered and messy spots that taunt us.

If you tackled just one of these unfinished “jobs” each weekend you would be amazed at how much lighter you feel and how much easier it is to have time and energy for the things you really want to do with your time.

  • How about clearing out that extra room
  • Cleaning out your car
  • Getting rid of those piles in your office
  • Writing that article you wanted to submit
  • Finishing that business proposal
  • Purge that closet, drawer, basement

Whatever your anchors, try crossing them off one at a time.

What am I going to do? I am going to finish up my book proposal so I can move forward with getting my book published. I am also going to prepare my desk supplies and portable “desk” so to speak so that I can readily move my work station to be able to work outside or off site as I often do during the summer season.

Here’s to a  happy and productive weekend for both of us!

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Productivity & Purpose from Life After College by @jenny_blake

By on June 8, 2011 in Productivity

Photo by Galo Delgado at The Photobooth Project

Today’s post is a guest post contributed by Judi Huck.

Life After College, a new book by Jenny Blake, has been full of productive inspiration for me. In fact, I had the pleasure of attending the book launch in New York City, where I got to meet Jenny. I was truly blown away by her charisma.

The major themes of Life After College are: seizing the day, as well as the counterpart to that, which is instilling balance. The race to success, especially wealth and prestige, are so ingrained in the American lifestyle that it’s sometimes hard to remember to pause and recharge for your longterm wellbeing.

However, Jenny’s book helps with that and offers practical advice, workbook-like exercises and even recommended reading. The format also includes quotes from both famous people and everyday people on twitter. Divided into several sections, Life After College delves into: an overview on life, work, finances, the home, organization, friends & family, relationships, health, fun, and my favorite — personal growth.

To paraphrase the chapter on personal growth, the takeaways include: embracing the moment, as well as choosing when not to work, and instead doing the things that make you happy. Often underestimated, they’re actually fundamental to personal productivity.

According to Jenny, personal growth also entails treating yourself well — on a psychological level. She gives advice on friending your inner voice.

The most valuable lesson from Life After College is the inspirational aspect and somehow mustering the courage and audacity to dream. After reading, the work has prompted me to write my major life goals, a sort of bucket list, if you will. Though somewhere in my mental repository, I had procrastinated writing them down out of fear. The change starts now.

In her book launch speech, Jenny told the story of how her book was turned down numerous times by the publisher, but she refused to give up on a project she believed in. Any book, whether about Life After College, a different period of life or other self-help issue, that encourages grand actions and provides tools for achieving them, is a book you won’t want to miss. Consider it my summer reading recommendation for you, regardless if you’re a part of the recent grad demographic.

About me: Judi Huck is a social media and community manager for the task management application Producteev. She enjoys exploring New York City, yoga and meditation.

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Becoming Wise

By on May 20, 2011 in Personal Growth

The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages is you’ve been. –  Madelyn L’Engle

Life is a progression.  We are a work in progress and an accumulation of experiences.  Everything that has previously occurred in our lives has happened for a reason and is an essential part of our development.  One of the challenges of our lives is to integrate and absorb the pieces of our lives as we experience them.  It is sometimes tempting to try to deny difficult periods of our lives or put out of our minds significant events, especially if they have been painful or unflattering.  When we try to erase or re-write our past we deprive ourselves of our own hard-earned wisdom.

When we realize that some of our most valuable strengths have developed not in spite of, but because of the life experiences we have had; then we can begin to fully appreciate the depth and breadth of the wise person we have become.

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Are You Living Consciously?

By on May 13, 2011 in Personal Growth

What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: Our life is the creation of our mind.– Buddha

Do we live our days to the fullest? Or are we to caught up in the ‘daily grind’ of just getting by and forget to appreciate the blessings that we have been given. Do we pay attention to our words and actions; and the effects they have on the people around us and the world in general?

When you start to live consciously, you expand on all levels: your mind, body, and emotions. You will become aware of things that were previously unseen, unknown, unrecognized or unappreciated. Your actions will become mindful as you learn to understand how your behavior affects the physical, the immaterial and the emotional state of yourself and those you interact with. By Living Consciously you will soon be able to see the truth more clearly, and learn how to take complete responsibility for the choices you make — enabling you to reach your full potential and live a life of wonder and marvelous adventure.

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Are You Ready for Change?

By on May 11, 2011 in Life Balance, Personal Growth, Success

“It’s not that some people have willpower and some don’t. It’s that some people are ready to change and others are not.” ―James Gordon

Are you ready to make changes in your life? To move to a  more fulfilling, productive and purposeful type of existence?

Don’t be ashamed to answer no! This may not be the right time in your life. You may not be ready to examine what you have been doing. You may not have a burning desire to accomplish something more than you have so far. You may not feel that it’s important to know where you’re going in life or sort out the meaning and purpose behind your life and work.

That’s OK. Really. Just briefly consider that clinging to your old habits and attitudes may be costing you more than you think. It can be physically and mentally freeing to let it all go and try something different.

Consider a career shift if you don’t feel fulfilled.

Examine your family roles and dynamic.

Analyze your routines and habits – both personal and professional.

Evaluate the health of your relationships.

Assess or re-assess your goals and priorities.

Look at your health patterns.

Move toward a mindset of generosity, kindness, forgiveness and gratitude.

You may find many areas where it’s time for a change. What would you like to do about it? Change is inevitable. Why not make it a considered change rather than a forced one?

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