Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - August 21st

Commitment is finishing what you started even when you don’t feel like doing it anymore.  – Bonnie Pfiester (https://quotesgram.com/img/finish-what-you-started-quotes/4837951)

It’s not what you start in life, it’s what you finish. – K. Hepburn

My therapist told me the way to achieve inner peace is to finish what I start.  So far today, I have finished two bags of M&M’s and a chocolate cake.  I feel better already. – Dave Berry

If all of your dreams were to come true on September 4^th (the Tuesday after Labor Day), are you ready?

As the summer is ending and kids are returning to school, this is a great time to finish any summer goals or summer projects.  When these projects/activities are completed, you will have an awesome feeling of accomplishment and are prepared for your dreams to come true. 

Earlier this year, I wrote about the “book pile” that I wanted to complete, and I am happy to announce I am reading the last book and I have gained a plethora of knowledge through all of these books.  One of the great accomplishments was finishing The Reagan Diaries, which was 693 pages.  When I finished that last page, the feeling of accomplishment was amazing, and I was ready for the next task.

13 days…what summer projects/goals do you need to finish to prepare for your dreams to come true?

Glory awaits you at the finish line. - Pavementrunner.com

CHALLENGE: Create a list of the projects/goals to finish in the next 13 days and start working on completing them. 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - August 14th

Friendship isn’t a big thing — it’s a million little things. - Author Unknown

A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.  - Grace Pulpit

One doesn’t know, till one is a bit at odds with the world, how much one’s friends who believe in one rather generously, mean to one. - D.H. Lawrence

A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart. - Attributed to Heather Pryor

My birthday celebration was wonderful!  It started when Mama Flow and I traveled to Valley Forge National Park in late July, which turned out to be my 80^th activity.  Then this past Thursday, I was given a party by two adorable twins that I attend church with.  I have hung out with them a number of times to play games and we exchange hugs each Sunday at church.  They each gave me a potted plant, balloons and beautiful drawings.  AND we had a silly string fight, which was the first time I had ever done that!  On Saturday morning, I participated in my monthly volunteering (2^nd Saturday Serve) and when I walked in the residents sang happy birthday and gave me flowers.  Saturday evening, I went out with a wide variety of my friends in Old Town Alexandria.  A friend of mine and I came up with various activities that incorporated everything that I love into one night including wine, seafood and chocolate.  Friends came at their convenience as I was enjoying what I love in life!

Friendships are so important in life especially when going through trying times.  Tim Cahill said it best:

A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles. - Tim Cahill

CHALLENGE: Call or send a note to a friend!

To view birthday celebration pictures, view Facebook.

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - August 7th

When life gives you lemons, you build a lemonade stand and profit. -  #bossbabe

Courage is like a muscle; it is strengthened by use. – Ruth Gordon

Fear is a reaction.  Courage is a decision. – Sir Winston Churchill

A goal should scare you a little and excite you a lot. – Joe Vitale

One day during the past year, I was NOT making lemonade with my attitude and was complaining about the lemons in my life.  As I continued to complain, I told my mother this was the worst situation I had ever dealt with.  In her motherly, loving tone, she told “No, it is not!”

Recently as I was listening to a book by John Maxwell, I heard the following quote from Eleanor Roosevelt:   

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'

As I ruminated on my past experiences, I realized that I have gone through tough times and each of those tough times has continued to develop my perseverance to be able to face the next “lemon” that comes my way.  In each situation, the choice is to change a lemon into lemonade. 

It is also important to remember that the “lemon situations” of life are most likely preparing each of us for the dreams and goals we have.  Many times, I have told my mom the “lemon situation” I am dealing with is preparing me for the future.   

CHALLENGE: Learn from the lemon experiences in life and use them to prepare yourself for lemonade. 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 31st

The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything. – Unknown

Style is a reflection of your attitude and your personality. - Shawn Ashmore

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. - Maya Angelou

People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude. – John C. Maxwell

All’s well that begins well! – John C. Maxwell

In Today Matters: 12 Daily Practices to Guarantee Tomorrow's Success, John Maxwell’s third daily practice is “Today’s Attitude Gives Me Possibilities” and I have learned this year how important a good attitude is.  As I stated last week, this year has not been the year that I had expected, planned or prayed for and one of those areas is to have a significant other in my life.  It is not for trying, but the right one has not come along.  However, I am happy to say that I have 2 BOYFRIENDS…one is 69 and the other is 2.  Yes, you read that right.  My “69-year-old boyfriend” resides at the senior living center I volunteer at the 2^nd Saturday of the month.  Throughout the year, I have become the only person that he allows to cut his nails and he has declared a couple times that I am his girlfriend.  For the “2-year-old boyfriend”, he goes to my church and his parents attend the same small group as I do.  He has the most adorable curly blonde-hair and blue eyes.

A couple weeks ago, I was out with a group I go to lunch with after church and I made a comment about “my boyfriends” and then went on to the next topic of discussion.  One of my female friends stopped me and said, “Terri, I think you need to explain who your “two boyfriends” are.  I know who they are because I have heard you talk about them before, but these two guys probably have not heard you talk about them.”  As I explained to the two guys who my boyfriends were, they laughed.  I have taken a lemon situation in my life and made it into lemonade.

John Wooden’s quote gives great insight into how we should live life: 

Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out. - John Wooden

CHALLENGE: When lemons come, create lemonade by having a good attitude about the situation.   

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 24th

Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment.  - Thomas Carlyle

It is through accomplishment that man makes his contribution and contribution is life's greatest reward.  - John Portman

Life is an accomplishment and each moment has a meaning and you must use it. - Jeanne Moreau

Goals are the sweetest fruits of the most bitter trials of life. - Hermann J Steinherr

My birthday is less than 3 weeks away and I am happy to announce I accomplished my goal of “80 Before 40”!  No, you did not read that wrong.  On October 10, 2017, I introduced “40 Before 40” where I wanted to do 40 unique/crazy things before my birthday.  As of this past weekend, I completed my 80^th activity when Mama Flow (aka my mother) and I traveled to Valley Forge in Pennsylvania to see the winter encampment (1777-1778) of the Continental Army.     

When I came up with this idea last September, my goal was to have a different perspective on my birthday since I usually dread it.  Little did I know what this year would hold and that I would need something different to focus on.  As I created this fun opportunity to go to new places and learn many things, I had a wonderful time.  Through my adventure, here are a few of the 80 things I did:

1.       Taken a White House Garden Tour

2.       Went Wine Stomping

3.       Met an Astronaut

4.       Participated in Pumpkin Chunkin

5.       Visited Fort McHenry where the Star-Spangled Banner was written

6.       Saw the Flag House where the American flag that flew over Fort McHenry was sewn

7.       Talked with Santa Claus

8.       Visited New York

9.       Explored Antietam, Harpers Ferry and Valley Forge

10.   Attended the Easter Sunrise Service at Arlington National Cemetery

If I had not come up with this goal, I would never have experienced these 80 new places and learned so much!

When fate hands you a lemon, make lemonade. - Dale Carnegie

CHALLENGE: Difficult times come in life.  Choose to make lemonade and enjoy the ride!

To see pictures from all 80 of my adventures, check out my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/terri.flow.3

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 17th

Simply by changing your own behavior, you gain at least some influence over the problem. ― Douglas Stone, Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most

The point is this: difficult conversations are almost never about getting the facts right. They are about conflicting perceptions, interpretations, and values. ― Douglas Stone, Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most

Last week, I learned a valuable lesson.  I do not like confrontation and I do not know many people that do.  However, I knew that I had to confront a situation because it was preventing me from moving on with my life in a certain area and I had been ruminating about it for almost two and half months.  When I made the phone call to talk to the person, it was not easy.  My nerves were on high alert and I was concerned what the other person’s response would be.  While talking, the person thought everything was ok and I had to express my feelings again.  Once the person realized I was serious and that we really needed to talk about the issue, we quickly set up a time for lunch. 

The outcome was not what I had hoped for; however, I now know the answer and have been able to move on.  I have peace in my life again and am focusing more intently on my dreams and goals.

CHALLENGE: Are there any relationships that are prohibiting you from accomplishing your dreams or goals?  What can you do to help work on those relationships?

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 10th

However long the night, the dawn will break. - African Proverb

90% of life is about remaining calm. - Dr. Chris Feudtner

Life without risk is not worth living. - Chuck Lindbergh, aviator

The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. ― Confucius, Confucius: The Analects

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. ― Confucius

As an individual who loves to accomplish goals, it is frustrating when roadblocks and struggles come along.  Even during those times, it is important to be consistent and have tenacious perseverance to continue working towards dreams and goals.  Baby birds are a great example to follow.   

When birds are born, they have one small “egg tooth” that they use to start pecking away at the egg shell when they are ready to hatch.  Birds continually peck, peck, peck away at the shell and finally they break through allowing themselves to escape.  Scientists say that birds need to go through the process of pecking away at their shell because it teaches them to persevere as they will need this skill as they go through life. 

I’m not tough.  I’m tenacious. – Padma Lakshmi

CHALLENGE: Continue to peck, peck, peck away at your goals. 

Sources

https://www.britannica.com/science/egg-tooth

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_tooth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8oNUiKE7rQ

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 3rd

Liberty is the breath of life to nations. - George Bernard Shaw

Independence now and forever! - Daniel Webster

Where liberty dwells, there is my country. - Benjamin Franklin

Freedom lies in being bold. - Robert Frost

America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination. – Harry S. Truman

Tomorrow, we celebrate 242 years of our country’s independence.  On July 2, 1776, the legal separation of the American Colonies from Great Britain occurred when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of Independence, which was proposed by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia earlier that year in June.  After the vote for this action, a statement explaining why the decision was developed by the Committee of Five with Thomas Jefferson as the main author.  The statement was debated for two days and final approval occurred on July 4^th.  From this courageous decision made by our Founding Fathers, the United States Constitution was written 11 years later in 1787. 

As I have been studying history this year, I have been reminded how lucky we are.  In The restless wave: good times, just causes, great fights and other appreciations, John McCain states that America was the first country to create our form of government and now there are over 100 democracies.  We truly are blessed to live where we do. 

CHALLENGE: We can learn from our Founding Fathers that being courageous can change the world.

Tomorrow, be thankful for the amazing country we live in.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_%28United_States%29

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - June 26th

Review your goals twice every day in order to be focused on achieving them. - Les Brown

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination. - Jimmy Dean

We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us. - Joseph Campbell

We are halfway through 2018…WOW!  This is a great time to review goals, analyze progress, determine what changes need to be made and decide what needs to be said “no” to.  Mid-year reviews are an important activity because we are constantly changing, and our goals will often times need to change.  

Over the last couple of weeks, Terri’s Tuesday Tip of the Week has discussed various aspects of what occurs during a mid-year review.  Gigi Butler’s plan changed when her dream of being a country western singer ended and her dream became opening her own bakery.  Zersenay Tadese changed his normal routine of not drinking water while running to drinking water and slashed 4 minutes off his marathon time.  And then my personal story of simply saying “NO”.  

Here are steps to follow to conduct a mid-year review:

v  Read through your goals.

v  Analysis benchmarking data to determine progress.

v  Examine first half of 2018 to determine which goals still “fit” into your life and determine which goals you no longer need to continue working towards. 

v  Determine what “small” changes you need to make to help accomplish your remaining 2018 goals.

v  Discuss with accountability partner for feedback, suggestions, etc. 

CHALLENGE: Conduct your mid-year review.

https://muriellemarie.com/goals-that-matter/mid-year-goals-review-2016-part-1-2/

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - June 19th

Sometimes "No" is the kindest word. - Vironika Tugaleva

“NO” is a complete sentence. It does not require an explanation to follow. You can truly answer someone’s request with a simple No. - Sharon E. Rainey, The Best Part of My Day Healing Journal

When you say no to the wrong people, it opens up the space for the right people to come in. - Joe Calloway, Magnetic: The Art of Attracting Business

Learn to say “no” to the good and the advantageous, in order to receive the best. - Sunday Adelaja

You can get a thousand no's from people, and only one "yes" from God. - Tyler Perry

NO…not always a fun word to hear, but a word that often needs to be said.  NO is a word that will often help people accomplish their dreams. 

As I have been working towards my goals, many people have made suggestions of books to read, podcasts to listen to, television shows to watch, etc.  At times, I have been overwhelmed by all of the recommendations.  Recently, I was considering a book a family member suggested to me.  Since reading is one of my favorite things to do, I rarely decline a suggestion.  However, I had a few other books I also needed to read.  Considering this book, I reviewed a few important things about what I planned for my life in 2018.  My word for the year is “history” and I determined earlier this year that I wanted to focus a majority of my learning on history.  Since the suggested book did not have anything to do with history, I told myself “NO”. 

Throughout this year, I have learned that if I lose my focus and do not stay the course of focusing on some aspect of “history” I feel I get off track for accomplishing my goals.  From these experiences, I decided that I wanted to focus on my goals and rarely stray from them.

As a side-note, I am not suggesting that an individual cannot do something in a year that is not working towards accomplishing their goals.  We all need to have fun and life does not always go as planned.  In those times, we need to be flexible.  However, to accomplish goals, I believe it is very important to stay focused and often that means saying “NO”.

CHALLENGE:  Next week will be the mid-year mark.  This is a great time to finish up any goals that have mid-year deadlines and complete any goals that are almost completed to help boost your confidence.