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

At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. – Albert Schweitzer

 

Recently, the author heard a story that gave her a new perspective on 2020.

 

A professor walked into his classroom and told his student there would be an unscheduled test, which caused fear in the students as they had not prepared.  Placing the papers on each student’s desk, he placed them face down.  When the students turned over the test, all the students saw was a black dot in the middle of the white piece of paper.  Seeing his perplexed students, the instructor told his class to write what they saw. 

 

Towards the end of the class, the instructor read the responses the students provided.  Every student discussed only the black dot on the paper by describing its size, its location on the paper, etc.  Silence fell over the classroom.  Standing at the front of the room, the instructor gave peace of mind to the students when he told them he would not be grading their test.  He proceeded to explain that no one discussed the white piece of paper.  They only focused on the dot in the middle of the page.  The professor explained that is how we are in life.  We have so many things to be grateful for and to experience, but we often only focus on the dark spots in life.    

 

Life is a present that we should be grateful for daily.  The problems encountered are often small; however, they are the focal point and the blessings are often missed.    

 

Each day when we wake up, we need to have the perspective on life of the white open space on the paper.  2020 may have seen like a humongous dark spot in life; however, there are so many things to be grateful for including waking up this morning, being able to read this blog post and for the freedom’s we have in this country. 

 

ACTION:  Tomorrow (November 11^th) is Veteran’s Day, which is a time to honor those who have protected our country to provide us the freedom’s we have.  Find a military veteran and thank them for your freedom.  There is always something to be thankful for. 

 

Resource

·       https://rotaryeclubhouston.org/stories/the-black-dot-story

·       https://alltimeshortstories.com/inspirational-the-black-dot/

·       https://joycemeyer.org/everydayanswers/ea-teachings/thankfulness-the-key-to-having-the-life-you-really-want?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Journey%20Through%20the%20Word-November-2020%2011-1-2020&utm_content=&spMailingID=18006307&spUserID=MTI2ODY0MzIzNDUyS0&spJobID=2000041279&spReportId=MjAwMDA0MTI3OQS2

·       https://my.bible.com/users/tlflow0811/reading-plans/11819-7-day-anxiety-detox-tips-for-overcoming-anxiety/subscription/571337453/day/5/segment/0

·       https://www.shutterfly.com/ideas/gratitude-quotes/

  

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

 

There are 365 days and 52 weekends in a year. Even if you are short on time off, you can still take weekend getaways. Does that count as a vacation? Of course it does. – Anita Kaltenbaugh

 

A picture is a poem without words. - Horace

 

As discussed last week, the author like many Millennials has determined that she would rather spend her time and money on experiences instead of material items.  During these unique times, it is important to still engage in adventures and think outside the box for these experiences.  They do not have to be expensive or take a lot of time.  Millennials, like the author, want these adventures to grow them and create memories that will last a lifetime.

You don't take a photograph, you make it. - Ansel Adams

 

The author loves the beach and that will always be her favorite.  However, her adventures in state parks, museums, etc. have developed her character and created memories.  These memories have provided many conversational opportunities and challenged her thinking.  

Here are some inexpensive ideas for the reader to contemplate engaging in during the fall and winter seasons:

·       Go hiking in a state or national park

·       Take a walk near a lake or the ocean and embrace the calming water movements

·       Read outside with the beautiful fall leaves on the trees  

·       Shop at a local farmer’s market

·       Visit a museum or historical site

·       Play a round of golf…18 holes or miniature

·       Travel to a nearby town and experience its culture

A couple years ago, the author was trying to find adventures in the Virginia/D.C. area.  While researching online, she found a website that has weekend activities including museum openings or special exhibits, monuments and special events for the weekend.  Each Friday, the author reviews the website to determine if there are any adventures, she wants to take that weekend.

 

ACTION:  Take 15 minutes to research and write a list of ideas that are inexpensive that will allow you to create new memories. 

 

 

Resource

http://eventbrite-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/marketing/Millennials_Research/Gen_PR_Final.pdf

https://www.cnbc.com/2016/05/05/millennials-are-prioritizing-experiences-over-stuff.html

https://www.success.com/12-weekend-habits-of-successful-people/

https://everydaypower.com/weekend-quotes/

 

 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - October 27th

Travel makes a wise man better, and a fool worse. - Thomas Fuller (1608-1661)

 

According to a Harris Group study entitled “Fueling the Experience Economy”, 72% of millennials would rather spend money on experiences than materials things.  Through the years and especially 2020 as the author embarked on her quest for simplicity, she has come to the same conclusion that experiencing life is what she would rather invest in…both time and money.       

 

As the author discussed last week, her trip to Ocean City, Maryland gave her the opportunity to mark another destination of her travel list and she learned about the Assateague horses.  Here are some additional thoughts from her trip:

 

Change of environment

When the author left town on Saturday morning, she had been stressing over a decision she made.  In her mind, she knew she could not change it, but was concerned she made the wrong decision.  Indecisiveness is not what the author strives for in her quest for simplicity and she knew she had to overcome the thoughts in her mind.  About an hour and a half into her drive, the author had peace and knew she made the right decision. 

 

Additionally, changing the environment the author was in provided her the opportunity to clear her mind and start thinking about what she wanted to accomplish in 2021.  Based on the current situation, we have no idea when life will “get back to normal” so we need to start creating our 2021 goals as if we will be in the pandemic lockdown for a while longer.  This time allowed the author to start dreaming about what a successful 2021 will look like. 

 

Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind. -Seneca

 

A wise man travels to discover himself. -James Russell Lowell

 

Relaxation

As the author said, the trip was very relaxing and it allowed her to get out of her 800 square foot apartment.  Walking on the beach was wonderful and the author picked up a number of seashells that she is using to decorate her apartment.  She lost a “fight” with the ocean and the waves covered her running shoes a couple times and they were soaked.  The sand that accumulated in her running shoes was brought back to Virginia and is being used to decorate with the seashells.  Laughing at the situation was a great reminder of how laughter provides an outlet and relaxes an individual. 

 

Laughter is an instant vacation. – Milton Berle

 

No matter what happens, travel gives you a story to tell. -Jewish Proverb

 

ACTION:  Fall is here and winter is not far off.  What opportunities can you create for yourself in the coming months to change your environment and relax?

 

Resource

http://eventbrite-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/marketing/Millennials_Research/Gen_PR_Final.pdf

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2016/05/05/millennials-are-prioritizing-experiences-over-stuff.html

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - October 20th

 

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. - St. Augustine

 

Over the weekend, the author was gone from her apartment for 30 hours where she drove through 5 different states/territories (1 state twice) to get a weekend respite.  On the east coast that was about a 3-hour drive and the author desperately needed to get away to Ocean City, Maryland.  The beach of course!

 

In the next couple weeks, the author will discuss how this trip was not only restful, but also a great growth opportunity. 

 

Travel List

While traveling, the author had the opportunity to visit Assateague Island close to Ocean City, Maryland.  A couple years ago, a friend mentioned that wild horses roam the island and this had been on the author’s travel list since then.  The author seized the opportunity to go see the horses when she found time!

 

Additionally, readers of the blog know that the author LOVES the beach and she was not going to miss the opportunity to experience another quaint beach town and it did not disappoint.  The boardwalk was a great place to experience the food, fun and the people that visit and live there.   

 

If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home. -James Michener

 

Learn & Grow

The local folklore states the wild horses that roam the Assateague Island endured a shipwreck and now inhabit the island.  There is no documentation to verify the story so the National Park Service website states the horses probably arrived by mainland owners trying to avoid regulations and taxes.  No matter how the horses arrived on the island, it was a great opportunity to learn about the beautiful horses and their history.

 

Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. – Anonymous

 

ACTION:  What opportunity can you create for yourself to grow and learn in the coming months as we go into a cooler season that may make it more difficult to socialize with family and friends?

 

To see pictures from the author’s Ocean City, Maryland adventure, go to: https://www.facebook.com/terri.flow.3.

 

 

Resource:

https://www.nps.gov/asis/learn/nature/horses.htm

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - October 13th

 

The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day. - Henry Ward Beecher

 

Lose an hour in the morning, and you will spend all day looking for it. - Richard Whately

 

Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves.

– Dale Carnegie

 

80 days and 2020 will be over!  Most people are probably excited to see the end of this year and the author is.  Most people are probably hoping for a different 2021.  The author is.  However, it is important to finish this year strong. 

 

Like everyone else, the author has had some very challenging times this year and is going through some as she writes this blog post.  Even though we have had hard times this is the time to be resilient.  Finish the year strong and accomplish goals.  This has not been the year anyone probably expected, but we have overcome and will continue to.

 

As the author had a nice long 3-day weekend, she was reminded of a very simple principle.  Accomplish important tasks first thing in the morning and it will help motivate the individual to accomplish more tasks.  The author needed her down time over the weekend, but also needed to accomplish many tasks.  She did the things she needed to early in the weekend and on Monday pushed herself hard to get all of the tasks on her to-do list completed.  Waking at her normal time, she completed her workout and started the tasks on her to-do list.  As she completed each task, she checked it off her list to-do list and was motivated to get the next thing done.  Starting with 25 things on her task list, the only task left at 11am was to work on this blog post. 

 

 You’ve got to get up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to bed with satisfaction. – George Horace Lorimer

 

As we are in the home stretch of the year, it is important to remember this basic principle and incorporate into our lives.  Many distractions will come, but it is those with determination that will sleep well each night knowing they accomplished their tasks, goals and dreams.    

 

ACTION:  How can you incorporate this principle of doing one thing in the morning to help get motivated to accomplish more?

 

Resource

https://academysuccess.com/how-to-accomplish-anything/

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - October 6th

 Don’t confuse your path with your destination. Just because it’s stormy now doesn’t mean that you aren’t headed for sunshine. – Anonymous

 

Every struggle is a reminder of the question “How Bad Do You Want It?” - https://i.pinimg.com/736x/76/cf/64/76cf64e4efe7dae2ce333329ad831a41--fitness-inspiration-quotes-fitness-quotes.jpg

 

One last story about the 30-day challenge from the author.  Throughout the 30 days, the author continually heard the statement “How bad do you want it?” in podcasts and CDs she listened to.  Many times, she would have a feeling that she needed to take this quote to heart and hang on to it.  For the author, she wrote it on a piece of paper and placed it on her dream board.  Every day while working during this time of teleworking, the author looked up and saw the quote, which challenged her to keep pushing forward because of her dreams.

 

The author has tried many times to go without watching television especially during this time of being at home.  One of the 30-day challenges for the author was yet again to not watch anything that she did not learn something from.  For the author, she made it almost all 30 days and only had a couple days at the end of the challenge that were really bad and just sat on her couch and binged watched a couple Hallmark movies. 

 

As the author has talked about, she is a person that needs to be challenged and reminded how badly she wants her dreams.  Does she want it enough not to watch television and read instead?  Does she want it enough to not watch television and go hang out with friends?  For the author, it is a daily decision she has to make to keep persevering.   

 

ACTION:  How badly do you want your dreams?  What changes are you willing to make to prepare for your dreams to come true?

 

Resource

·       How Bad Do You Want It – Joel Osteen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9VXPazXesk

 

 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - September 29th

Never give up hope. All things are working for your good. One day, you'll look back on everything you've been through and thank God for it. - Germany Kent

 

As we come to the end of the 30-day challenge, the author was reminded of something valuable during the challenge.  Talking with someone about her 30-day challenges, this person said that the author should not do what she had chosen to do, but focus on something different.  At first, the author was surprised that anyone thought they had a right to say the author was wrong in planning for a future event in her life.  The author contemplated if this person was right and then was reminded of a pregnant woman.  When a woman is pregnant, she prepares and plans for the birth of her child.  The woman may not see the child, but she knows the baby is growing inside her.  In the same way, a dream is birthed in us and we do not see how the dream will come to pass, but daily we must prepare for the dream to come true.

 

Perseverance means keep pushing. - Lailah Gifty Akita

 

For the author, she made the decision that she was going to live expectantly for her dreams to come true and not listen to what others said.  She continued on with her challenge.  Even though she did not complete this particular challenge, the author will continue to work on this challenge even after the 30 days are over because she is living expectantly.

 

ACTION:  Did anyone discourage you from completing one of your challenges?  If so, how did you handle it?  Would you handle it differently next time?

 

 

Resource

·       https://joycemeyer.org/everydayanswers/ea-teachings/what-to-do-when-youre-waiting-on-god 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - September 22nd

If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces, never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again.  – Flavia Weedn

 

As we are coming to the end of September, the author wanted to give an update on her personal 30-day challenges.  The author has talked about her job being challenging and the long hours she works.  For September, the author challenged herself to work from 7am-5pm Monday through Friday.  However, the month of September has been crazy at the office and she has ended up working longer hours than previously due to projects and deadlines. 

 

When the tide gets high, Sail on.

You'll make it safe to the shore,

...And all the hidden treasures will be Yours!”

― Chinonye J. Chidolue

For the author, she made the decision that even though work was difficult and she was working long hours she would be resilient and persevere in life.  As she has stated before, this opportunity is preparing her for her dreams and she must be resilient. 

 

You’re going to experience pain in life. But if you choose to do the hard thing right now and put in the effort and discipline to learn, grow, become strong, and mature, then later in life you get to benefit from all of that. – Rick Warren

 

Even with her long work hours, the author decided she would take time for herself and has taken on a new goal.  Over the weekend, the author purchased an annual pass to the Virginia State Parks.  Previously visiting some of the parks, she discovered the beauty of the state she resides in and decided to set a goal to visit at least 10 of them in the next year.  For the author, she has to set a goal, which will prompt her to take action.    

 

This is not what the author desired from this challenge for herself, but she decided to persevere, take time for herself and experience the beauty of the great country we live in. 

 

ACTION:  Out of a possible setback in one of your 30-day challenges, what good came from it?  How will you incorporate the good into your life going forward? 

 

 

Resource

·       https://pastorrick.com/choose-short-term-pain-for-long-term-gain-2/ 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - September 15th

 

Growth and comfort never coexist. —Craig Groeschel

 

Comfort and convenience run the lives of unsuccessful people. – Brian Tracy

 

Less than 2 weeks ago, the author celebrated her one-year anniversary at her job.  Last year, the author wrote about her unemployment journey and it was not an easy time.  As she thought about her first year, she thought about the journey she has gone through.  Every aspect of this job has been a learning experience.  Starting to working in a completely different industry, the author has often had to think about her dreams and remind herself that this is moving her towards them. 

 

The author thought back to the time of her unemployment and the lessons she learned.  She was rejected many times for positions in the industry that she had been in for over 15 years.  Being nudged into a different industry has taken her down a different path and pushed her a step closer to accomplishing her dreams. 

 

A rejection is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of success. - Bo Bennett

 

As we continue on our 30-day challenge, this has been a great reminder for the author.  One of the challenges she gave herself was not to be negative.  She defines negativity as seeing the negative side of things and the author’s goal is to always find the sunny side of a situation. 

 

ACTION:  After reading today’s post, what rejections have you encountered and later realized set you up for success?  How will you implement this idea to stay positive and look at rejection as just another step towards success?

 

 

 

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/

 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week- September 8th

 

Study the habits of the people you want to be like and then imitate them. If they are succeeding, they must be doing something right. - Dave Ramsey

 

You'll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine. - John C. Maxwell

 

To change bad habits, we must study the habits of successful role models. - Jack Canfield

 

If the reader followed Terri’s Tuesday Tip of the Week throughout the month of August, the reader experienced the author’s journey to simplify her life.  During that time, the author enlarged one of the pictures she took while listening to the ocean in Virginia Beach and hung it on her wall and relocated pillows from her living room to her bedroom.  Those simple actions changed the whole style and view in her bedroom.   

 

Last week, the author challenged the reader to start a 30-day challenge to push themselves out of their comfort zone and accomplish their goals in 2020 and their lifelong dreams.  As Dave Ramsey, John Maxwell and Jack Canfield’s quotes stated above, learn what successful people are doing and incorporate those into your daily life.  Simple changes can change the trajectory of a person’s life just like simple changes made a difference in the style in the author’s bedroom. 

 

Who are the individuals that have accomplished the goals or dreams that the reader has?  What simple changes can be incorporated into the reader’s life to help accomplish his/her 2020 goals and dreams?

 

ACTION:  How is your progress on the 30-day challenge?  What small changes have you learned from successful that you will incorporate into your life?

 

 

Resources

·       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/