Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - March 30th

 Time doesn’t heal emotional pain, you need to learn how to let go. - Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

 

One of the first things that an individual needs to do to become mentally strong is to let go of the past.  Hurts and pains are different for each individual and if those painful memories are not dealt with, they will prevent the reader from moving forward. 

 

As the author mentioned in early 2021, she had a coach at work that had a major impact on her life.  Over the months the author was talking with her coach, a couple times the coach told the author she needed to take time to write letters to different people that hurt her.  By physical writing the letters, the hurtful words and memories would be released allowing the author to move on.  After the letters were written, she needed to burn them as a symbol the past was being burned and opening the door to move forward on her journey.  It took the author a couple weeks, but she finally spent an hour on a Sunday afternoon writing letters to a few people she was hurt by and then burned them.  Once she did, she felt a release and a weight lifted off of her. 

 

We don't realize how excess stuff draws on our energy until it's removed. - Mary Vraa, PopUpPurge(TM) Release Midlife Clutter & Reclaim Inner Clarity

 

A couple days after this, the author was called by someone and one of the first statements that caller said was, “I have something to tell you that is going to make you mad”.  When the caller finally got to what was going to make the author mad, she heard what the situation was and then remained quiet for a moment.  Then the author said, “No, I am not going to let that bother me.  I forgave him and burned the past on Sunday.  I am moving on.”  This was a major step for the author and an important one.  If we allow the past to continually bring us down, we will never accomplish our dreams.   

 

This is not something that we only do for pain and hurt from 10, 15 or 20 years ago.  Release of any hurtful words or memories can be done daily to help the reader move on with their life.  Write down the situation and release the matter as the paper burns. 

 

ACTION: Think about the people that have said hurtful things that you have held on to for a long time.  Take time to write letters this week and get all of the hurt and pain on paper and then BURN IT.  The past is gone and it is time to move forward to move closer to your dreams. 

 

Resources

 

·       https://www.inc.com/amy-morin/18-things-mentally-strong-people-do.html#:~:text=1%20They%20practice%20gratitude.%20Counting%20their%20blessings,%20rather,They%20set%20healthy%20boundaries.%20...%20More%20items...

·       https://graphicspedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/18-Principles-Followed-By-People-Who-Are-Mentally-Strong-Infographic.jpg

·       https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201606/18-things-mentally-strong-people-do

·       https://sofrep.com/news/stoicism-how-to-survive-like-a-special-operator/

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - March 23rd

Mental Toughness is a personality trait that determines your ability to perform consistently under stress and pressure, and is closely related to qualities such as character, resilience, grit and perseverance. – David Goggin

Over the years in her personal and professional life, that author has seen the importance of staying calm under pressure and the importance of resiliency and discipline.  The author believes that these traits do not have to be in a person when they are born and can be developed over time with intentional work and discipline.  These important traits are what many people consider mental toughness.  According to Mental Tough Partners, mental toughness is:   

 

“…is a personality trait that determines your ability to perform consistently under stress and pressure, and is closely related to qualities such as character, resilience, grit and perseverance.”

 

When the author thinks of mental toughness, she thinks of the United States military and the elite special operators in the various branches including the Navy SEALs, the Army’s Green Berets and Delta Force.  There are other special forces, but the author has the most knowledge about the Navy SEALs because she listens to their podcasts and had the amazing opportunity to skydive in a tandem jump with one.  Through these various opportunities, she has learned that they truly are caring individuals, but when they have a mission to complete, they are focused and all about the job. 

 

People think SEALs are cold-blooded, heartless, wound-up, brainwashed killers. They imagine you can just point a SEAL in a direction and say, 'Go kill.' The truth is you're talking about a bunch of kind-hearted, jovial guys. The only thing that separates them is mental toughness. – Howard E. Wasdin

 

Over the coming weeks, the author is going to talk about lessons she has learned in her quest for mental toughness and her plan to continue her quest to be mentally tough. 

 

ACTION: What does mental toughness mean to you?  What areas do you want to work on in the coming months to be calm under pressure?

 

 

Resources

 

·       https://www.inc.com/amy-morin/18-things-mentally-strong-people-do.html#:~:text=1%20They%20practice%20gratitude.%20Counting%20their%20blessings,%20rather,They%20set%20healthy%20boundaries.%20...%20More%20items...

·       https://graphicspedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/18-Principles-Followed-By-People-Who-Are-Mentally-Strong-Infographic.jpg

·       https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201606/18-things-mentally-strong-people-do

·       https://sofrep.com/news/stoicism-how-to-survive-like-a-special-operator/

·       https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/3-secrets-of-superachievers.html

·       https://www.stevenaitchison.co.uk/7-tips-from-super-achievers-for-insane-productivity/

·       https://www.military.com/special-operations/top-5-qualities-of-special-operations-troops.html

·       https://www.mensjournal.com/features/what-you-can-learn-from-navy-seals-about-grit-and-mental-toughness/

·       https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/mental-toughness-quotes

·       https://www.mentaltoughness.partners/the-origins-of-mental-toughness/#:~:text=In%20his%20book%20The%20New%20Toughness%20Training%20for,your%20talent%20and%20skill%20regardless%20of%20competitive%20circumstances.%E2%80%9D

·       https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-tell-the-us-militarys-most-elite-special-operators#6-delta-force-11

 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - March 16th

 

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

 

Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong. - Ella Fitzgerald

 

As we end the first quarter of 2021, it is time to conduct a quick review of the progress toward goal achievement.  How is the reader progressing on their goals?  Is the reader where they expected to be at this time?  Is there a particular goal that the reader should focus on in the 2^nd quarter that may not have been their focus in the 1^st quarter?  Take time to evaluate and as the author has discussed over the last couple of weeks “tweak” 2021 goals as the reader progresses on the bridge toward accomplishing their dreams.

 

When the author set her goals at the beginning of 2021, she set a goal to visit 20 new places that could be a city, park, memorial, etc.  At first, the author was concerned because she questioned if the goal was a S.M.A.R.T. goal, but after analyzing the goal she believes it is.  Contemplating this goal, the author realized she set this goal for herself for many reasons including she loves to travel, wants to see new places and desires to learn new things.  Additionally, the goal was to push her outside her 800 square foot apartment.  If the author does not have a goal to do something, she often will not.

 

How is she doing on her goal?  She has visited 19 new places so far.  Once she hits 20, she plans to continuing traveling to more places.  The importance of this goal was grasped by the author Sunday afternoon as she was finishing John Maxwell’s book titled Intentional Living – Choosing a Life that Matters.  Maxwell talks about how he and his wife give their family experiences so they can spend time together.  He proceeded to say all family members know that at some point during the trip he will ask “What did you love, and what did you learn?” (p. 254).  Continuing on, he explains that experiences are great, but evaluated experiences are the best teacher.  He and his wife are intentional in developing experiences that teach something to their family and provides growth. 

 

If we are intentional in life, everything we do can be a learning opportunity.  For the author, she experienced this last weekend on her day trip to Dover, Delaware.  Walking around the area where the Old State House is located, the author was reminded that Delaware was the first state to consider and ratify the Constitution of the United States.  This decision was made in Elizabeth Battell’s Golden Fleece Tavern.  The tavern is no longer standing, but there is a plaque commemorating this historical decision.  The author never considered that taverns were places were government officials met to make major decisions in 1787.

 

Goals are established to help move individuals closer to their dreams. Goals can be tweaked throughout the year.  The importance is being intentional in growth and development. 

 

Action is what converts human dreams into significance. - John C. Maxwell, Intentional Living: Choosing a Life That Matters

 

ACTION: Take time this week to review your 2021 goals.  What changes do you need to make in the 2^nd quarter of the year to ensure you accomplish all of your goals this year?

 

Resources

 

·       Maxwell, John. (2015).  Intentional Living – Choosing a Life that Matters.  Center Street. 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - March 9th

 I don't believe in growing at your pace, I believe in pacing your growth. The former feeds on luck, the latter is intentional. -  Asuni LadyZeal

 

If you are willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you. – Anonymous

 

As the author discussed last week, she had to revise her learning plan for 2021 in regards to learning about leadership.  Terri Savelle Foy has stated that people ask her what diet plan they should go on.  She says, “the one you stick with”.  In the same way, the author realized she could learn about leadership in many different ways and what was important is that she created a plan, stuck with it and implemented what she learned.

 

The author decided to revise her goals to read one leadership book a month and signed up to receive two motivational speaker’s daily emails.  These daily emails arrive in her inbox at different times and include some type of audio.  When she listens to them, the short snippets of information provide a great lesson that stews in the author’s brain throughout the day and she implements when interacting with coworkers.   

 

In addition, the author does not just listen to these speakers.  In these two-to-three-minute videos, the author learns a lesson and then types it up in her spreadsheet where she tracks her daily learning.  By taking time to listen and record it, she is utilizing two learning styles, which helps her retain the information better.

 

Another thing the author realized was that she was not enjoying all of her reading and has returned to reading more historical books, which brings a smile to her face. 

 

Small changes in a learning plan can have a drastic impact on someone’s life. 

 

ACTION:  When 2021 started, the author would never have thought to listen to videos or podcast for learning about leadership, but it has had a major impact on her life.  What did you not think you would do in 2021 for your learning plan that if you tried now might actually change the trajectory of your life?  Why not try it this week?

Resources

·       https://www.terri.com/whats-the-plan/

·       https://www.awakenthegreatnesswithin.com/35-inspirational-quotes-learning/

·       Hardy, Darren. (2019). The Compound Effect: Jumpstart Your Income, Your Life, Your Success (Audio Book). Blackstone Publishing.

·       https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/whats-so-critical-about-simple-daily-practices/

·       https://www.sitrakaratsimba.com/the-compound-effect/

·       https://youngprofessionalbford.wordpress.com/2018/04/13/the-compound-effect/

·       https://www.stack.com/a/emotional-toughness

·       http://www.lbushcolejr-pd.info/uploads/9/8/1/5/9815519/routine_power.pdf

 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - March 2nd

 Intentional living is the art of making our own choices before others' choices make us. - Richie Norton

 

Success is a choice; you choose it and work it out! Excellence is deliberate and so it is intentionally pursued. No successful person ever remained idle for success to knock his/her door for him/her. ― Israelmore Ayivor, Dream Big!: See Your Bigger Picture!

 

Two months into 2021…wow!  It has gone so fast and the author has lived intentionally more in 2021 than ever in her life.  As the author has reflected on the last two months, she realized her previous words of the year have never impacted her as much as “intentional” has in 2021. 

 

Throughout the past two months, the author has learned many things and has changed her daily routine, which is all part of continuing on the path to grow and being intentional on the bridge to accomplishing her dreams and goals.  In developing her goals, the author stated that she wanted to learn about leadership to develop for her current career position and prepare for the future.  This is a great goal and the author thought this would mean reading leadership books to learn.  However, she had a revelation about a month ago.  She can read all of the leadership books in the world, but until she implements what she reads it is not beneficial. 

 

Additionally, the author realized there are so many leadership books available and she is often enthralled by the latest “hot author”.  However, is that the best author to learn from?  Lastly, the author discerned that she was reading to increase the pages completed on her goal tracking spreadsheet, but not remembering what she consumed. 

 

For the author, she had to step back and contemplate how to be intentional in her learning. 

 

What did the author do?  She changed her learning plan and became intentional in her learning.  How?  Read next week’s blog post to find out!

 

ACTION:  How has 2021 started for you?  What do you need to be intentional about and change to help you accomplish your dreams and goals?

 

Resources

·       https://www.terri.com/whats-the-plan/

·       https://www.awakenthegreatnesswithin.com/35-inspirational-quotes-learning/

·       Hardy, Darren. (2019). The Compound Effect: Jumpstart Your Income, Your Life, Your Success (Audio Book). Blackstone Publishing.

·       https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/whats-so-critical-about-simple-daily-practices/

·       https://www.sitrakaratsimba.com/the-compound-effect/

·       https://youngprofessionalbford.wordpress.com/2018/04/13/the-compound-effect/

·       https://www.stack.com/a/emotional-toughness

·       http://www.lbushcolejr-pd.info/uploads/9/8/1/5/9815519/routine_power.pdf