Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - September 1st

 Don’t let the comfortable keep you from your calling. – Joel Osteen

 

Act on your purpose, not on your fear. – Joel Osteen

 

You will never fulfill your purpose staying comfortable. – Joel Osteen

 

  

This year has been unique to say the least.  2020 could be called the year of uncertainty, which most people will not like.  Uncertainty is scary and most people like to remain in their safe, reliable, consistent, comfort zones.  However, surviving 2020 should teach each of us something. 

 

In John Maxwell’s book The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Their Full Potential, he discusses the “Law of the Rubberband”.  Rubberbands are only useful when they are stretched and we are only going to grow and develop when we are stretched.  Has the reader been stretched this year?  The author knows she has.  This situation has been uncomfortable, frustrating and depressing.  However, the author has taken the opportunity to continue to develop, grow and focus on things in her life she can control.

 

With only four (4) months left in the year, what does the reader still want to accomplish or do this year?  How can the reader stretch themselves?  Terri Savelle Foy discussed this on her podcast called “I Tried These 30-Day Challenges…here’s my results”.  The author spent time over the weekend determining what her 30-day challenges will be.  This was a great opportunity to reignite the passion in the author as she has been in a rut since her birthday due to little progress on dreams and in the middle of a pandemic her dreams seem to be going backwards.  However, taking time to analyze what she wants to see happen before her next birthday, she created new challenges for herself.  Also, she updated her vision board and it is now in her living room to remind her each day as she works why she is resilient and daily returns to push herself to accomplish her dreams.  

 

As long as you are comfortable, you are not growing. – Terri Savelle Foy

 

ACTION:  What are you challenging yourself to do for the next 30 days to push yourself out of your comfort zone to grow?

 

 

Resource

·       I Tried These 30-Day Challenges… here’s my results. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADSZZvbrRVk

·       The Month of “YES” |”You Never Say YES to Anything!” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7doZZlm5SzU

·       Calling Over Comfort – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2YrNnRp2kY

·       http://meaningring.com/2014/07/23/the-law-of-the-rubber-band-by-john-c-maxwell/

·       https://www.embracepossibility.com/blog/15-invaluable-laws-of-growth-by-john-maxwell/

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - August 25th

 Elegance is elimination. – Cristóbal Balenciaga

 

Minimalism is not a lack of something. It’s simply the perfect amount of something. – Nicholas Burroughs

 

Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance. – Coco Chanel

 

Dictionary.com defines simplicity as the state, quality, or an instance of being simple; freedom from complexity, intricacy, or division into parts; absence of luxury, pretentiousness, ornament, etc.; plainness; freedom from deceit or guile; sincerity; artlessness; naturalness; lack of mental acuteness or shrewdness.

 

The author’s quest for simplicity started while watching the sunrise in Virginia Beach and then hearing a podcast by Patrick Lencioni.  In that podcast, Lencioni quoted Leonardo da Vinci:

 

Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication.

 

Through the author’s journey to simplicity, the author has experienced more peace in her life as she has implemented the same ideas that she has written about: decisiveness, decluttering the mind and her apartment, simplifying her writing and many more things.  As the author wrote on August 11^th, she is creating a beach paradise in her apartment to provide simplicity and joy in her life.  Through this journey she has learned:

 Simplicity reveals the pure beauty of life. - Debasish Mridha

 

Simplicity is not about deprivation. Simplicity is about a greater appreciation for things that really matter. - Anonymous

As the author has made clear, this is a journey and there will be roadblocks and detours along the way.  Simplicity will be a goal that must be continually sought after and the author will have to continually be assessing progression towards simplicity like every other goal she strives toward. 

 

ACTION:  How do you plan to continue creating simplicity in your life?

 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - August 18th

Clutter is not just physical stuff. It’s old ideas, toxic relationships and bad habits. Clutter is anything that does not support your better self. — Eleanor Brown

 

Clutter isn’t just in your home, attic, garage or office.  Clutter is also in your mind, and distracts you from the amazing things you are meant to do. – Katrina Mayer

 

The mind is a very powerful thing and what the mind thinks is what comes to pass.  In the mind, there can be mental clutter in the form of bad memories, fear, unforgiveness, poisonous relationships or poor habits.  When we have this mental clutter, it prohibits us from living a simple life and accomplishing our dreams.  Additionally, we encounter mental clutter by worrying about the situations we are encountering.  The “clutter” is not from the situation, but based on how we look at the situation and handle it.     

 

To remove the mental clutter, one must reprogram the mind with positive thoughts just like an individual declutters their home.  Removing the negative thoughts provides peace, joy and simplicity in life.   

 

Clear your mind of clutter, congestion and conflict. Free your mind of unproductive, nonessential thoughts about yourself and your life. – Anonymous

 

ACTION: Write a list of affirmations and review them daily.  We believe more of what we say about ourselves than anyone else. 

 

Resource

·       https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/make+a+mountain+out+of+a+molehill#:~:text=Exaggerate%20trifling%20difficulties%2C%20as%20in%20If%20you%20forgot,in%20John%20Fox%27s%20The%20Book%20of%20Martyrs%20%281570%29 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - August 11th

 Out of clutter, find simplicity. ― Albert Einstein

 

Clutter may rob us of the life we imagined or prevent us from creating a new vision for our future. ― Lisa J. Shultz, Lighter Living: Declutter. Organize. Simplify.

 

As the author has been teleworking and rarely leaving her apartment, she has been greatly bothered by the clutter.  She keeps it clean, but she discovered there were many items she did not use anymore.  Over the last couple of months, the author had sparsely removed items.  However, the author recently decided that she does not know when she will be returning to an office for work so she had to take action and clean out the clutter and create a beach paradise in her apartment. 

 

When we throw out the physical clutter, we clear our minds.  When we throw out the mental clutter, we clear our souls. – Gail Blanke

 

In the last month when the author has been looking at different items, she has wondered if she would ever use some of the items again.  Talking to Mama Flow, the author came to the realization that rarely would she need anything that she was giving away.  After spending time decluttering, she has a car trunk full of stuff.  As she continues to create her beach themed apartment, she has purchased one item, which was a canvas of a picture she took while on her trip to Virginia Beach.  All of the other changes she made were simply moving items around to create a different environment. 

 

A simple life is not seeing how little we can get by with—that’s poverty—but how efficiently we can put first things first. . . . When you’re clear about your purpose and your priorities, you can painlessly discard whatever does not support these, whether it’s clutter in your cabinets or commitments on your calendar. (148)

― Victoria Moran, Lit From Within: Tending Your Soul For Lifelong Beauty

 

As the author has been creating her beach paradise, she has remembered her dreams and knows what brings her joy.  The author does not know where 2020 will take her, but she knows she needs simplicity in her life and needs to be surrounded by the things that bring her joy! 

 

ACTION: Spend 20 minutes a day this week clearing clutter out of your work and personal space.  Create spaces that you enjoy and are clutter-free to help you accomplish your dreams. 

 

Resource

·       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gea6zhnArmg

·       https://www.upnorthparent.com/simplicity-project-5-reasons-to-simplify-declutter/

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - August 4th

A real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken a new action.  If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided.  – Tony Robbins Quotes on Making Decisions

 

Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach. – Tony Robbins Quotes on Making Decisions

 

It is in your moments of indecision that your dreams are destroyed. – Dr. Marc Dussault

 

Indecision is not part of the simple life and the author recently learned how indecisive she can be.  

 

As the author has been cautious with her excursions during this unique time in our society, she takes the opportunity to visit various locations when she can.  Last weekend, the author planned to visit Fort Washington National Park, which is a historical site she has seen many times driving down the George Washington Memorial Parkway.  When she researched the national park, she saw that they had been closed and planned to reopen the first weekend of August.  The author had a hard time making the decision when she would visit because she had told people she was going and she wanted to do other things on the weekends in August.  For a couple days, she waffled back and forth on when to visit.   

 

The risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror of indecision.  – Maimonides

 

Finally, the author made the decision not to go the last official weekend of July and placed an appointment reminder on her calendar to visit the first weekend of August.  After all of indecisiveness, the national park was still not open, but she was able to see many of the sites. 

Many times, in life making a decision can be difficult and reasons for the indecision can range from not trusting oneself to make the right decision, afraid of making a mistake, not wanting to get blamed for something, etc.  While contemplating the decision, stress and frustration often set in.  It is during those times, to remember a quote from Benjamin Spock:

 

Trust yourself, you know more than you think you do.

 

ACTION:  Practice being decisive this week to help make life simpler. 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 28th

Writing a simple melody can take weeks to get it right where I want it, but I do quite enjoy it. – Trevor Rabin

Knowledge is a process of piling up facts; wisdom lies in their simplification. – Martin H. Fischer

In the Lencioni podcast that started the author on her quest for simplicity, he used the following quote:

I have only made this letter longer because I have not had the time to make it shorter. - Blaise Pascal, The Provincial Letters (Letter 16, 1657)

As the author has been pondering simplicity, she is analyzing all aspects of live where it can be incorporated.  Being succinct in one’s writing is a great way to add simplicity into one’s life.      

The author desires to communicate her points in the most effective way.  Each week, she starts contemplating what topic she will discuss on Wednesday.  By Saturday or Sunday, she writes the blog and then spends Monday and early Tuesday morning editing to ensure her points are simple, concise and informative.  For the author, these times of writing, revising and revising again, provide her the opportunity to simplify her thoughts to provide wisdom and thought-provoking ideas to the reader.  Furthermore, the author has learned that taking time away from her writing allows her mind to formulate what she wants to state while not thinking about it. 

In writing, I search for believability, simplicity and emotional impact. – Hal David

When possible, write a paper, email, blog post, etc. and then walk away for a while.  Return to reread, revise and render the final product.  Taking time away allows the individual’s mind to process and simplify.      

ACTION:  Incorporate the art of simplicity in your writing. 

 

Resource

·       https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/158279

·       https://articles.uie.com/simplicity/

·       https://ydraw.com/marketing/simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication-leonardo-da-vinci/

·       https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/9010638-simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication-when-once-you-have-tasted

·       https://articles.uie.com/simplicity/

·       https://ydraw.com/marketing/simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication-leonardo-da-vinci/

·       https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/9010638-simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication-when-once-you-have-tasted

·       https://atthetable-patricklencioni.libsyn.com/47-sophistication-sucks

·       https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/simplicity-quotes

·       https://www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/sunrise.html

·       https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/simplicity-quotes

·       https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/simplicity

·       https://www.quora.com/What-is-meaning-of-simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication#:~:text=Originally%20Answered%3A%20what%20is%20meaning%20of%20%22simplicity%20is,things%20are%20of%20high%20value%20when%20without%20frills.

·       https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/9010638-simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication-when-once-you-have-tasted

·       https://articles.uie.com/simplicity/

·       https://jnd.org/simplicity_is_highly_overrated/

·       https://ydraw.com/marketing/simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication-leonardo-da-vinci/

·       https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/21224-i-have-only-made-this-letter-longer-because-i-have

·       https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/complexity

·       https://www.habitsforwellbeing.com/20-inspirational-quotes-on-simplicity/#:~:text=%2020%20Inspirational%20Quotes%20on%20Simplicity%20%201,their%20simplification.%E2%80%9D%20~%20Martin%20H.%20Fischer%20More%20

 

 

 

 

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

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. - Confucius

Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction. - E.F. Schumacher

A couple weeks ago, the author missed a project in an email she needed to complete at work.  She took responsibility for her error and spent an afternoon completing it.  During this time, she reached out to a coworker who knew about the project.  While talking, the coworker said, “Simplify.  You are making this project a lot harder than it has to be.”

Last week’s Terri’s Tuesday Tip of the Week discussed simplicity verses complexity.  As stated, people often make things harder because they think it makes them look smarter, when in reality making something that is difficult easy to comprehend makes the individual look smarter. 

For the author, she took the time to understand the complex issue and created a spreadsheet that explained the issue in a simple and easy to understand manner.  When discussing with a coworker, the author was able to discuss the matter with ease.  She was told that she truly had a grasp of the topic. 

Does the reader try to make things complex or does the reader try to simplify issues?

ACTION:  This week, challenge yourself to make things simpler in life.  It may mean rethinking a project or a process.  Simplifying life make take time at the beginning, but in the ultimate journey of life it will save time and help in accomplishing dreams. 

Resource

·       https://articles.uie.com/simplicity/

·       https://ydraw.com/marketing/simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication-leonardo-da-vinci/

·       https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/9010638-simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication-when-once-you-have-tasted

·       https://atthetable-patricklencioni.libsyn.com/47-sophistication-sucks

·       https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/simplicity-quotes

·       https://www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/sunrise.html

·       https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/simplicity-quotes

·       https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/simplicity

·       https://www.quora.com/What-is-meaning-of-simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication#:~:text=Originally%20Answered%3A%20what%20is%20meaning%20of%20%22simplicity%20is,things%20are%20of%20high%20value%20when%20without%20frills.

·       https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/9010638-simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication-when-once-you-have-tasted

·       https://articles.uie.com/simplicity/

·       https://jnd.org/simplicity_is_highly_overrated/

·       https://ydraw.com/marketing/simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication-leonardo-da-vinci/

·       https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/21224-i-have-only-made-this-letter-longer-because-i-have

·       https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/complexity

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

Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify. - Henry David Thoreau, Walden and Other Writings

Simplicity is a great virtue but it requires hard work to achieve it and education to appreciate it. And to make matters worse: complexity sells better. - Edsger Wybe Dijkstra

During the pandemic, has the reader tried to make things simple or complex based on the situation we are encountering?  Based on research, the answer is probably to make things more complex.  Why would we want to make something more complex when simplicity would make our lives so much easier?   

Shortly after the author returned from Virginia Beach and was reminded of the importance of simplicity while sitting on the beach, she heard a podcast called Sophistication Sucks by Patrick Lencioni’s company the Table Group.  As the author listened to the podcast, the speaker’s comments were very meaningful and thought provoking. 

In the podcast, Lencioni talks about why people let complexity creep into business.  First, Lencioni said developing complex ideas makes people feel smarter.  Second, people want things simple.  Usually they will devise a complex solution to resolve a simple issue instead of devising a simple solution that is difficult to implement.

So why do we make things complex?  Based on an article by Don Norman titled Simplicity is “Highly Overrated”, he says product designers treat simplicity as the greatest achievement; however, purchasers believe that if the product is simple the purchase will not be what they need.  Purchasers usually err on the side of complex versus simple.    

Individuals think the better option is the more complex option, but in reality, the simpler option is usually better. 

As we strive to accomplish our dreams and goals, wouldn’t it be more sensical to go with the simple solution instead of the complex one that will only complicate life.

Simplicity is a key to avoiding complication. Part of the definition of simplicity is 'not complex or complicated; sincere’. – Joyce Meyer

ACTION:  What changes can you make in your professional and personal life to simplify it?    

Resource

·       https://articles.uie.com/simplicity/

·       https://ydraw.com/marketing/simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication-leonardo-da-vinci/

·       https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/9010638-simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication-when-once-you-have-tasted

·       https://atthetable-patricklencioni.libsyn.com/47-sophistication-sucks

·       https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/simplicity-quotes

·       https://www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/sunrise.html

·       https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/simplicity-quotes

·       https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/simplicity

·       https://www.quora.com/What-is-meaning-of-simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication#:~:text=Originally%20Answered%3A%20what%20is%20meaning%20of%20%22simplicity%20is,things%20are%20of%20high%20value%20when%20without%20frills.

·       https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/9010638-simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication-when-once-you-have-tasted

·       https://articles.uie.com/simplicity/

·       https://jnd.org/simplicity_is_highly_overrated/

·       https://ydraw.com/marketing/simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication-leonardo-da-vinci/

·       https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/21224-i-have-only-made-this-letter-longer-because-i-have

·       https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/complexity

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

We have lost contact with reality, the simplicity of life. - Paulo Coelho

There is a certain majesty in simplicity which is far above all the quaintness of wit. - Alexander Pope

Recently, the author traveled to Virginia Beach, which was the trip she was supposed to take over Memorial Day weekend, but had to delay due to the pandemic.  While traveling, the author was able to catch up on much needed sleep, but she was also reminded of something very important.   

When the author arrived in Virginia Beach, her hotel room was not ready so she went and sat on the beach.  Calling Mama Flow to let her know her status, the author said, “I can’t take the beach the whole time”.  Usually when the author travels, she is determined to learn, grow and take in every opportunity.  So, the author walked across the street to The Cavalier Hotel and took a tour.  Walking back to her hotel, the front desk told the author her room was ready and she took her luggage upstairs.  That evening, she visited with friends that are going through a PCS (permanent change in station) in the military.  The next morning, the author awoke around 5:05am and realized the sun rose about 5:45am.  Quickly, she dressed and walked out to the beach.  Watching the sun start to rise for about 15 minutes, the author almost walked away because she had seen the beginnings of the sun rise and did not think she needed any more pictures.  However, she remembered the simplicity and relaxation of the ocean waves is what brought her to Virginia Beach.  She stopped and took in the beauty of the simple experience.  Finally, after sitting in the sand for an hour and watching a beautiful sunrise, the author walked back into her hotel.

Life was not intended to be simply a round of work, no matter how interesting and important that work may be. A moment’s pause to watch the glory of a sunrise or a sunset is soul-satisfying, while a bird's song will set the steps to music all day long. - Laura Ingalls Wilder

ACTION:  How will you simplify your life this week? 

Resource

·       https://articles.uie.com/simplicity/

·       https://ydraw.com/marketing/simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication-leonardo-da-vinci/

·       https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/9010638-simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication-when-once-you-have-tasted