...Say What?!...
My mind has been littered with thoughts, curiousity, and emotion, which is partially the reason for my lack of weekly blogs lately. How does one sort those thoughts out? Some would say exercise, others would say journaling or 'brain dumping'. Do you ever get so deep in your thoughts that you're virtually alone, even though you're surrounded by crowds of people? Many of my thoughts revolve around the goals that I have set for myself in my new journey.
I attended a seminar several weeks ago presented by Allison Lamar, (http://www.allisonlamarronline.com) former Mary Kay National Sales Director, who set several records in Mary Kay. I realize, as I have now heard her story several times, that it's not the accolades that she has received that have inspired me. What inspires me is Allison's frankness about the whole notion of how to set goals and actually achieve them. When we set a goal for ourselves sometimes we are short sighted and set a huge goal without any planning or idea of how to get to the end. You see, Allison gave up mediocrity for a dream life, she got there by setting goals and planning. In order to reach the destination she had in mind, she had to plan each stepping stone that would eventually help her to arrive in her final, desired destination.
Shouldn't this planning be the same for you and I? I have set goals for the month of August in my business, I am setting plans in place on a daily basis to reach those goals and eventually, my dream life. That's what I want for sure! I have set up daily goals to get to where I want to be in 1, 5, 10, and 20 years...my end is in mind! What's even greater about the goals that I have set, is that I am building my own character and strength, without even realizing it! Goals can change you and can change the lives of those around you, just ask my husband!
I am just now, in four years of living in Colorado, starting to feel like I am settled and beginning to belong to a part of something bigger than myself. It delights my heart, makes me feel giddy inside like a little girl who has just received her first pair of dance shoes. For the first time, in a long time, I can truly say that I love my work, because it doesn't feel like work. I get to be a part of my community through volunteer opportunities, take my kids to school and volunteer in their classrooms, take part in some of the activities I love, and be whom I believe, the woman God intended for me to be in the very beginning before I was even a twinkle in my parents' eyes. I am working hard, but I love it! All because I have set goals for myself, I have a direction, and something VERY specific to shoot for!
My encouragement for you this week: set some goals for yourself for tomorrow, this week, this month, the rest of the year! Your life will change. I can't wait to hear back from you to hear what goals you have set, how you're getting there, and when you finally arrive! Don't forget to give them a deadline!
Until then...
Believe in Yourself, Be Extraordinary, Dream Big.
You can do it!
Stacey
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Take a break.
Why is it that we have to go away on a 'vacation' to take a break? Why does it take a week to decompress and brain dump just to finally get to that relaxation point, and only a day to fill it back up with the worries of daily life? Why do we succumb to the 'rat race', pushing ourselves until we become burnt out or ill?
I grew up, especially in my college years, hearing my father say, "Stacey, stop and smell the roses." He is such a laid back man, easy going, I don't recall hearing anger or yelling often from this man. If my dad was upset, it came out even keeled and in a direct tone, I always knew I was in trouble when I heard that particular voice. I spent my college years and late 20's in the idea of keeping up with the Jones', get ahead now and maybe play later attitude. I had the world by the tail, nice house, 3 beautiful children, a good job, and a marriage that looked good on the outside, and thousands of dollars in debt. I am an overachiever, anyone in my family will tell you that statement is true. But, whom was I fooling? My cup was empty.
It wasn't until I decided to leave my job as an assistant manager at a big box retailer, making $57,000, a year to go back to teaching that I realized the importance of 'stopping to smell the roses'. I still think that even then I didn't quite get it, but was on the right track nonetheless. I was a single mom at the time, took a huge paycut to go back to teaching. I was happier, getting to spend more time with my kiddos, enjoying breaks and summer vacations. I got to play again. After all, who wants to be 60 and all grown up with that little kiddo boxed up somewhere in storage?
Since I left my 9-5 job, rather it left me, I am realizing even more opportunity to 'stop and smell the roses'. Seizing opportunities to relive some fantastic childhood memories and the amazingly, overwhelming playground in my backyard we call The Rockies. I am playing hard enjoying a relaxing stay at a lakeside motel, experiencing the energy, anticipation, and excitement of a sleepy lake town coming alive to celebrate our nation's birthday. Hoping some kind stranger will offer a circle or two around the lake on water skis. For the first time, in a long time, I finished a book, read a magazine or two, did a little bargain shopping, dipped my toes in the icy lake after a long hike to see some epic water falls in the backwoods. I actually sat for day, exceeded my sun limit, listened to the water slap against the shore, and the hum of boats moving up and down the lake. Ahhhhh, that is enough to lull you into a nap in miliseconds! I must say that taking a break with nowhere to be and nothing to do does a body good. I think it can be done even at home...you can even label it with the newest term of our economic times, 'staycation'. Lock your doors, turn of your phone, forget the laundry and house chores, pick up a good book from your local library. Reconnect with old friends, put together a scrapbook, stay in your jammies all day long. What are the desires of your heart when it comes to taking a break? What did you wish the last time you said, "When I have a day off, I will..."? What are you waiting for? Seize the moment, seize the day! Can I let you in on a little secret? Your laundry will be there tomorrow, so will the dusting, vacuuming, and dirty toilets. Guess what? They don't care!
Please, I urge you, to take a break. Ladies if that means time for yourself, do it, please. It will help you to be a better wife, mom, woman. Guys, you too. Parents, make a date night and stick to it, but be sure to keep with the rule, "you are not allowed to talk about your kids". What is your passion, what are the desires of your heart screaming for?/
Fill in the blank, if I had the time, I would... Go, take the time, do it. Finally, at this moment, is your glass half empty, or half full? Do you need a break?
Believe in yourself, Be Extraordinary, Dream Big....
I grew up, especially in my college years, hearing my father say, "Stacey, stop and smell the roses." He is such a laid back man, easy going, I don't recall hearing anger or yelling often from this man. If my dad was upset, it came out even keeled and in a direct tone, I always knew I was in trouble when I heard that particular voice. I spent my college years and late 20's in the idea of keeping up with the Jones', get ahead now and maybe play later attitude. I had the world by the tail, nice house, 3 beautiful children, a good job, and a marriage that looked good on the outside, and thousands of dollars in debt. I am an overachiever, anyone in my family will tell you that statement is true. But, whom was I fooling? My cup was empty.
It wasn't until I decided to leave my job as an assistant manager at a big box retailer, making $57,000, a year to go back to teaching that I realized the importance of 'stopping to smell the roses'. I still think that even then I didn't quite get it, but was on the right track nonetheless. I was a single mom at the time, took a huge paycut to go back to teaching. I was happier, getting to spend more time with my kiddos, enjoying breaks and summer vacations. I got to play again. After all, who wants to be 60 and all grown up with that little kiddo boxed up somewhere in storage?
Since I left my 9-5 job, rather it left me, I am realizing even more opportunity to 'stop and smell the roses'. Seizing opportunities to relive some fantastic childhood memories and the amazingly, overwhelming playground in my backyard we call The Rockies. I am playing hard enjoying a relaxing stay at a lakeside motel, experiencing the energy, anticipation, and excitement of a sleepy lake town coming alive to celebrate our nation's birthday. Hoping some kind stranger will offer a circle or two around the lake on water skis. For the first time, in a long time, I finished a book, read a magazine or two, did a little bargain shopping, dipped my toes in the icy lake after a long hike to see some epic water falls in the backwoods. I actually sat for day, exceeded my sun limit, listened to the water slap against the shore, and the hum of boats moving up and down the lake. Ahhhhh, that is enough to lull you into a nap in miliseconds! I must say that taking a break with nowhere to be and nothing to do does a body good. I think it can be done even at home...you can even label it with the newest term of our economic times, 'staycation'. Lock your doors, turn of your phone, forget the laundry and house chores, pick up a good book from your local library. Reconnect with old friends, put together a scrapbook, stay in your jammies all day long. What are the desires of your heart when it comes to taking a break? What did you wish the last time you said, "When I have a day off, I will..."? What are you waiting for? Seize the moment, seize the day! Can I let you in on a little secret? Your laundry will be there tomorrow, so will the dusting, vacuuming, and dirty toilets. Guess what? They don't care!
Please, I urge you, to take a break. Ladies if that means time for yourself, do it, please. It will help you to be a better wife, mom, woman. Guys, you too. Parents, make a date night and stick to it, but be sure to keep with the rule, "you are not allowed to talk about your kids". What is your passion, what are the desires of your heart screaming for?/
Fill in the blank, if I had the time, I would... Go, take the time, do it. Finally, at this moment, is your glass half empty, or half full? Do you need a break?
Believe in yourself, Be Extraordinary, Dream Big....
Stacey
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