Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - March 21, 2023

The first step in crafting the life you want is to get rid of everything you don’t. - Joshua Becker

Out of calmness comes clarity. - Trevor Carss

Happy first day of Spring! We are moving closer to beautiful warm days of summer with sand under our toes (depending on vacation plans!).

Last week, the author talked about not falling into the trap of Parkinson’s Law and paying now so that the reader can play later.  The author spent this past weekend paying now so she can play later when vacation comes in less than 90 days! 

Knowing she had a lot of spring cleaning to do, the author created a basic list of things to do.  The plan was to accomplish car maintenance Saturday at 7:30am so she would be able to spend the majority of the day accomplishing her to-do list.  Great plan, but it fell apart when it took longer than she planned for car maintenance.  Furthermore, the author found something she wanted to purchase so she decided to make a “quick” pit stop on the way home.  Four stops later the author finally arrived home around noon.  Three less hours in the day did not help the plan. 

The author regrouped and decided to order online the item she was not able to find in stores.   Additionally, she accomplished fixing a doorknob problem (which she is very proud of herself for), rearranged some furniture, completed some spring cleaning in her bedroom and came up with a plan to accomplish two tasks on her to-do list each night this week when she does not have an activity.  Some of the best planning goes haywire and we have to be flexible, regroup and push forward in life.

Also, the author learned that she had broad tasks on her to-do list and needed to be more specific.  The to-do list will appear longer, but it will be easier to have tasks for each room and estimate time to accomplish the tasks.       

In today’s minimalism and technology environments, there are many articles to give ideas to the reader about decorating and how to create a plan to declutter and spring clean.  The best plan is the one that the reader will stick with and complete.

ACTION:  Review your to-do list and determine what areas you will work on this week to pay now so that you can play later.

Resource

·        https://www.homesandgardens.com/life-design/what-is-a-catch-all-day?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=homesandgardens&fbclid=IwAR03Q3D_uzsDasor7qWOhKNYAG1hRwYRinGZFn7cddJ8qMv6dugnO0vDd-U

  

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - March 14, 2023

People who use time wisely spend it on activities that advance their overall purpose in life. – John Maxwell

Working smarter is learning to prioritize, plan and focus our energies with meaningful intent. - Michael Thomas Sunnarborg

Yesterday, marked 100 days until summer, which means we are in a double-digit countdown!  Texans know this means we are getting closer to hot summer days.  For others, it represents the number of days until vacation.  The author’s much needed vacation starts 94 days from today. 

When summer hits, most people do not want to stay home.  They want to be out having fun enjoying exciting activities. Is the reader ready for summer and the long, cold days of winter to disappear?  Has the reader completed all of the outstanding tasks that need to be completed around the house? 

As we start to prepare for summer days, it is good to understand Parkinson’s Law and how not to fall prey to it.  Parkinson’s Law states that work expands to occupy the time given to complete the work (www.economist.com, www.verywellmind.com). How does this affect the reader? Knowing that there are 99 days until summer, procrastination will set in and the reader is more likely to wait until closer to summer to accomplish tasks instead of focusing on completing the tasks now.   

Does the reader fall into this trap? The author hates to admit it, but she does. For the author, she needs a purpose to focus on to complete a task before the due date such as her pending vacation.  How can one outsmart Parkin’s Law?

Here are some tips:

1.      Create a to-do list.

2.      Estimate amount of time to complete each task.

3.      Set a deadline for each task that is reasonable and attainable. 

4.      When completing tasks, set an alarm and do not allow any distractions to take the reader away from the goal.   

5.      If the task is not fully completed after the allotted time, create a revised task allowing for a checkmark of completion on the original task.  This will provide motivation to continue working on tasks. 

The author is choosing to PAY NOW, PLAY LATER.

ACTION: Create your to-do list to accomplish before summer arrives so you can pay now and play later.

Resource

·        https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-parkinsons-law-6674423#citation-1

·        https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1158604/

·        https://www.economist.com/news/1955/11/19/parkinsons-law

·        https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20191107-the-law-that-explains-why-you-cant-get-anything-done

 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - March 7, 2023

 The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process, is its own reward. – Amelia Earhart

Adventure is worthwhile in itself. – Amelia Earhart

Recently, the author read a book that talked about ten different women and the impact they had in the world.  All of the stories were wonderful, but the one that surprised the author was that of Amelia Earhart.  Most people have heard the stories of Amelia being the first women to fly across the Atlantic Ocean and she disappeared during an around the world flight.  However, did the reader know that Earhart’s first flight across the Atlantic in 1928 was as a passenger and not as the pilot?  Wilmer Stultz and Louis Gordon piloted the Fokker tri-motor aircraft and Earhart was the passenger (nasa.gov).

When the author first read this, she was surprised because she had never heard that she was a passenger and did not pilot the plane herself.  However, that shows the strength of Amelia Earhart.  She was sought out in 1928 to make this flight as a passenger and not as the pilot.  Because of this flight, she became an international powerhouse and many new doors opened for her.  Before she was lost in flight, she was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic in 1932 and was on around the world flight in 1937 when she disappeared. 

As March is Women’s History Month and March 8^th is International Women’s Day, take time to research some of the amazing women that have overcome amazing obstacles to accomplish their dreams.  In less than 5 years, Earhart went from being a passenger to flying solo.  Hard work and determination helped her accomplish her dreams. 

ACTION: What can you accomplish in 2023 with hard work and determination?

Resource

·        https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1112.html

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - February 28, 2023

 A man’s true wealth is the good he does in this world. - Muhammad

We rise by lifting others. – Robert Ingersoll

The author is a goal-oriented individual focused towards accomplishing her dreams.  Even though the author is driven, she also knows that there is more to life than just accomplishing her dreams.  As we finish out the month of “love”, it is a great reminder to remember to not just focus on ourselves this year, but also take time to show love by volunteering and donating to nonprofits that are of importance to the reader.

Based on various sources, there are around 1.5 million nonprofits in the United States ranging from helping children learn to read, supporting the military, churches, building homes, etc.  If the reader has a passion for something, there is most likely a nonprofit to get involved in. 

For the author, she has taken on more responsibilities at work for a couple months and still wants to volunteer to help others, have fun in life and have adventures.  The author decided that she will find the organizations that she is passionate about and support monetarily and with her time.  It will not be a weekly thing, but she can take time out of her busy schedule to spend a Saturday helping others.

No one has ever become poor by giving. – Anne Frank

ACTION: How will you volunteer to helps others in 2023? 

Resource

·        https://www.statista.com/topics/1390/nonprofit-organizations-in-the-us/#topicOverview     

·        https://financesonline.com/nonprofit-statistics/#:~:text=Number%20of%20Nonprofits%20by%20Geography%20and%20Cause%201,all%20nonprofits%20in%20the%20US.%20...%20More%20items

·        https://www.maxwellleadership.com/minute-with-maxwell/add-value-2023/?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=244898717&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_hu26Z4OQ_TccyDBkS-rGpKRIiBTlSPPjSumZe1zJMtOj0IBk9PYTrJzwe217-x5FuFOve_242ydu9-BQKksCn47tUew&utm_content=244898717&utm_source=hs_email

·         

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - February 14, 2023

 Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle. - Napoleon Hill

Nobody is going to be offended if you compliment them. - Joyce Meyer

Happy Tuesday! Another Super Bowl has been played and it was an outstanding game.  The author enjoyed the game and had reinforcement of two important lessons for herself.

The author is not a cook. As a single individual, she rarely cooks big meals, but has baked some amazing desserts except a rhubarb pie one time. For the Super Bowl, the author was asked by her sister to make fresh hot sauce and guacamole. Scared as this was not something she had done before, the author reviewed the recipes her sister sent her and purchased the needed ingredients. Preparing the recipes, she was just praying everything would turn out ok. Amazingly enough, the guacamole received rave reviews and the author was told that was her “thing” to bring when there was a party.

Lessons learned:

      1.      The author has to face fears and go after whatever she is trying to accomplish. Our minds make problems bigger than they are.

      2.      Encourage and compliment others. Over half the people at the party told the author the guacamole was amazing. The author felt motivated and had a new pep in her step that she can accomplish what she sets out to do as long as she starts and works to complete the challenge. 

The number one human need people have is validation. - Darren Hardy

ACTION:  Based on the two lessons the author was reminded of over the weekend, how can you incorporate them into your life to make 2023 the best year yet?

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - February 7, 2023

 

Goals help you channel your energy into action. - Les Brown

Goals convert vision into ENERGY. - Dave Ramsey

Last week, the author talked about her crazy week and having to prioritize. After that busy week, the author got sick and had to rest to recover.  To recover, the author sat on her couch and finished watching a television series with a 10lb adorable dog next to her. 

Reading articles and books of goal-oriented individuals, it is often said that these individuals have regular routines that help the individuals. These routines also provide energy for the individual through solicitude, eating right and exercise.

As the author has thought about her energy level, she thought back to the week she had 6 activities in 7 days.  After that adventure, the author did not have a lot of energy as she was worn out.  As she said last week, she had to prioritize her life and then allow herself solitude to recover.

Here are the areas where the author is focusing her energy on to help her accomplish her goals for 2023:

ü  Food is a great source of energy, so it is important what one puts in their body.  For example, how does the reader feel after eating a meal? Do they feel awesome and ready to take on the world or an hour after eating do they want to take a nap? The food we put in our bodies is one of the energies we need to help us feel good and accomplish our goals.

ü  Rest including solitude, meditation and sleep to help restore energy.

ü  No clutter includes removing personal belongs, unneeded electronic applications, negativity, etc. By decluttering all areas of one’s life, distractions will be removed allowing for the energy used to deal with those items to be put toward other activities to help one accomplish one’s goals. 

ACTION:  What areas do you want to work on in 2023 to help improve your energy?

Resources

https://scottjeffrey.com/zhan-zhuang/

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - January 31, 2023

 Energy and persistence conquer all things. - Benjamin Franklin

When you are enthusiastic about what you do, you feel this positive energy. It's very simple. - Paulo Coelho

Happy Tuesday!  Some readers may have noticed that it took the author until Sunday to post last week’s tip.  Why?  The author has been volunteering at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo and attending various events.  Last week, the author had activities 6 of the 7 days.  Long days of work and then activities kept the author busy, but she had to determine her priorities and manage her energy.

Energy brings us to the 4th area the author is focusing on in 2023. Tomorrow we begin the 2^nd month of 2023.  January flied by and the next 11 months will be the same unless we prioritize and focus on all aspects including our energy.

Energy is so important because it will help the reader and the author push through the tough times of 2023 to accomplish goals and ultimately dreams. 

ACTION:  How do you work to improve your energy?  Next week the author will discuss the areas that she is focusing on in 2023.

Resources

https://scottjeffrey.com/zhan-zhuang/

 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - January 24, 2023

 Communication works for those who work at it. – John Powell

Communication is the real work of leadership. – Nitin Nohria

As the author mentioned earlier in January, she thought she had determined her word for the year in October 2022, but things changed. Her word was communication. Why was the author’s original word for the year communication?

There are many reasons the author was and is going to work on communication this year. When the author was speaking to people last year, she was asked a number of times to speak slower and louder because she has a tendency to speak fast and softly making it difficult for others to hear her. This was the impetus for her goal to work on her communication skills. However, there are many forms of communication including verbal, nonverbal, written and visual, which are all important and will be worked on by the author. On top of those types of communication, the author desires to increase her strength in persuasion when speaking and writing.  

Readers can see that there are many things to study and learn about in regards to communication. The author realizes there is a lot to learn and implement in her life. Thinking through this, this will be a continual study over many years to come. Besides beginning to work on her communication skills, the author will be creating a communication plan to continue to improve in the years to come.  

The art of communication is the language of leadership. — James Humes

Communication is an area that almost everyone can work on this year.  And as the quotes above states, communication will help with leadership and accomplishing dreams. One may say that they are not a leader, but the author would disagree. Anyone pursuing their dreams is a leader in the author’s perspective and as we cannot accomplish our dreams alone leadership is needed to influence others.   

ACTION:  What ways will you work on your communication in 2023?

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - January 17, 2023

 The best thinking has been done in solitude.  The worst has been done in turmoil. – Thomas Edison

To do much clear thinking a person must arrange for regular periods of solitude when they can concentrate and indulge the imagination without distraction. - Thomas A. Edison

Does the reader like solitude? For some readers, solitude may be difficult to have because of busy schedules, families, etc.  For the author, she has an almost daily opportunity for solitude, which is good because it provides opportunity for rest, recover and processing of her thoughts.  Complete silence is difficult for the author because she likes noise and her solution is to have ocean waves playing on the television as she has said before. The author knows one day she will think back to these quiet times and cherish them, but at the present moment it is difficult. 

Currently, the author is reading Lead Yourself First by Raymond M. Kethledge.  He says:

Solitude in the sense is not merely physical separation from others or togetherness with nature, although for some people it might involve those things…It is not an objective concept but a subjective one.  It is simply, a subjective state of mind, in which the mind, isolated from input from other minds, works through a problem on its own. 

One just needs to find a secluded opportunity.  As the author has said before, she runs and often returns home with a to-do list or new ideas.  One can also go out for a run, specifically think about an issue or project and the mere solitude will help process the information.  During the pandemic, the author would drive to state parks in Virginia and enjoyed the beauty and solitude.  Those times provided great solitude and pondering the beauty of the United States. Many new ideas and thoughts came about during this time. 

When trying to create solitude, it is highly recommended to first turn of any electronics to help prevent distractions and dings.  Distractions prohibit solitude in one’s mind.

ACTION:  In the business of life, where can you find solitude to help make 2023 your best year ever?

Resources                                                                     

·       https://www.maxwellleadership.com/minute-with-maxwell/prioritize-your-life-2022/

·       Kethledge, Raymond M. (2017). Lead Yourself First Inspiring Leadership Through Solitude.  Bloomsbury USA.

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - January 10, 2023

 The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. - Stephen R. Covey

You define what is important to you by what you dedicate your time to. – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/646125877763891047/

The first week of 2023 is complete. Goals are set to help move the reader toward their dreams. As we all know, life gets hectic and many things have the opportunity to derail us from moving closer to our dreams.  How do we stick with goals and accomplishing our daily tasks?  Prioritization is our friend!

What is prioritization? Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “to list or rate in order or priority”. For the author, she has many things that she has to prioritize daily like everyone else and it is important to write them down.  When the author thinks about prioritizing, she also thinks about how her schedule is set up and how prioritization falls into this.  Stephen Covey says:

Schedule your priorities.

Innumerable times, the author has placed an appointment on her calendar to prioritize accomplishing something and inevitably something else takes over. For work, there are always higher priorities and for home the author can often find something around the house to make a priority. It may work for some people, but it does not work for the author. 

For the author, she has to prioritize her day by having a routine. She knows what her goals and dreams are and then sets up time in the morning to accomplish the routine before the rest of her day begins. After the most recent review of the author’s life, she knows that her faith is the most important thing so she has placed her devotional book for the year next to her bed so she can read it before even getting out of bed. Another goal the author has is to listen to a certain number of podcasts for the year so instead of turning on the news first thing in the morning the author listens to podcasts while getting ready to run and then listens to podcast while on her run.  This is a great time for multi-tasking skills. 

Another important thing to remember about prioritizing is that we are not all on 100% of the time.  We can try, but some people are morning people and some are night people. When planning one’s day, it has to be remembered to accomplish the hard tasks when one is at the top of their game and can minimize distractions.

Think of your priorities not in terms of what activities you do, but when you do them. Timing is everything. - Dan Millman

ACTION: How do you prioritize your life? What is your best time to accomplish important projects/goals? How are you going to prioritize the important things in your life in 2023 to accomplish your goals?

Resources                                                                     

·         https://www.maxwellleadership.com/minute-with-maxwell/prioritize-your-life-2022/