Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - August 8, 2023

 Stay focused on the mission. – Naveen Jain

Life is a mission, not a career. A career is a profession, a mission is a cause. A career asks, What’s in it for me? A mission asks, How can I make a difference? - Sean Covey

Recently, the author was listening to a Minute with Maxwell titled “Staying Mission-Minded Keeps You Motivated”.  In this short video, Don Yager talks about staying mission minded, which reminds us to focus on our purpose.  Our mission should be fueled by passion that drives us daily to strive for excellence and make a difference in the world.

When we are overwhelmed and trying to accomplish our dreams and goals, it is important to focus on our mission and purpose.  Each day when we remind ourselves of our mission and purpose, we will be reenergized and help overcome burnout and focus on the bigger goal.      

When you have purpose and are on a mission, late nights and early mornings are just a part of the pursuit. – JJ Wilx

 ACTION:  How do you daily remind yourself of your mission and purpose?

Resources

·        Staying Mission-Minded Keeps You Motivated | MWM - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIHLtxHWaf8&list=UULFcY4omYaHiAMk7x4mNcQmpg&index=27

·        https://itsallyouboo.com/procrastination-quotes/

https://www.geckoandfly.com/18617/quotes-office-job-occupation-working-environment-career-success/

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - August 1, 2023

 “Procrastination is not Laziness”, I tell him. “It is fear. Call it by its right name, and forgive yourself.” ― Julia Cameron

Procrastination is the lazy cousin of fear. When we feel anxiety around an activity, we postpone it. - Noelle Hancock

The greatest amount of wasted time is the time not getting started. – Dawson Trotman

Last week, TTTW started discussing ideas of how to complete our work so that we can spend more time on rest, relaxation and time with loved ones in the final month of summer.  This week’s tip is to overcome procrastination and not fear failure.

As the author has stated, she is a recovering perfectionist. Recently, she was assigned a task at work.  Last year when the same task was assigned to her, she waited until the last day to complete the task and was stressed to finish the task.  This year when the task was assigned to her in a new system, the author immediately set up meetings with people she needed assistance from to complete the task and finished the task within 30 minutes.  Finishing the task three weeks early gave the author peace of mind and she knew she was working on overcoming her perfectionist tendencies.     

 In “This former CEO cut her 70-hour workweek down to 30 with 3 productivity hacks—start with ‘tossing your to-do list’”, the author states that to-do lists are actually hindering outputs.  Each time we check off another task, our brains get a hit of dopamine. For this reason, our brains choose the effortless tasks first and push off the larger tasks that will potentially have the most impact in our overall quality of work and our dreams.

We have got to keep the momentum going in order to achieve all of our objectives. – Bill Vaughan

Each reader should focus on the harder tasks to  help us keep our momentum going to prepare us to finish the last quarter of 2023 strong.

ACTION: What big tasks do you need to stop procrastinating on and to help keep your momentum going through the summer to set you up for an amazing last quarter of 2023 and provide more time for what you want to do?   

 

Resources

·        https://itsallyouboo.com/procrastination-quotes/

·        https://www.geckoandfly.com/18617/quotes-office-job-occupation-working-environment-career-success/

·        https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/this-former-ceo-cut-her-70-hour-workweek-down-to-30-with-3-productivity-hacks-start-with-tossing-your-to-do-list/ar-AA1dJe7C?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=7fd1f298718c443c94c5a165b1ce9df2&ei=14m

·        https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/3-productivity-tips-that-turned-me-into-a-multimillionaire/ar-AA1e1lVU?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=83e5628256e344ecadcd2784fbac8b70&ei=9

·        https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/productivity-habits-trusted-by-the-world-s-most-successful-entrepreneurs/ar-AA1dECkT?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=efe5dd8122f24f3c992400e523aa54b3&ei=56

·        https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/laziness-isn-t-why-you-procrastinate-this-is/ar-AA16s7Uj?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=f4a60c0dd5ce4b8f80b4f33fc7129ced&ei=20  

·        https://www.npr.org/2021/11/05/1052968060/how-the-40-hour-work-week-became-the-norm

·        https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ford-factory-workers-get-40-hour-week

·        https://strongmadesimple.com/blog/small-actions-and-big-successes

 

Terris Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 25, 2023

 Great acts are made up of small deeds. - Lao Tzu

Productivity is not just about doing more, it is about creating more impact with less work. – Productivity & Working Hard Quotes

As summer progresses, we are trying to make the most of the days we have left. Vacations are occurring. Longer days of sunlight and heat mean opportunities to be outside or hopefully near water.

Thinking back to the creation of the 40-hour work week, history.com states that the Ford Motor Company was one of the first companies to embrace the 40-hour work week in 1926 in its automotive factories. Previously, they had the factories running 6 days a week, but Edsel Ford, Henry Ford’s son, decided that everyone needed more than a day for rest, recreation, and time with one’s family.

We all have heard that the employees get the most done the day before vacation because they do not want to deal with it while relaxing. In the same thought, over the next couple of weeks the author is going to provide some ideas to complete tasks daily so that evenings and weekends can be spent relaxing and with loved ones.

The first tip is to focus on what actually matters. Along the way, most people have taken on new tasks to complete because being busy is often thought of as productivity. However, as we all know, it is not. We should work on those activities that will have the biggest impact on our jobs or companies, etc. and also on the quality of the work that we are producing.

Stop focusing on the time our team spends in their seats and instead focus on the quality of their work and really defining what success looks like. – Tanya Dalton, This former CEO cut her 70-hour workweek down to 30 with 3 productivity hacks—start with ‘tossing your to-do list’

Additionally, we should focus on our goals. Even though we are relaxing, we can still read books, listen to podcasts to provide knowledge if only for short amounts of time daily. Remember that small amounts of work can add up to major impacts in life. 

The pandemic was hard, but many new ideas came about to delegate more tasks to provide more time to do other things.  For example, grocery shopping can be done by a store employee and then picked up by the consumer.

ACTION: What ways can you save time to spend focusing on what really matters and move you closer to your dreams?

Resources

·        https://www.geckoandfly.com/18617/quotes-office-job-occupation-working-environment-career-success/

·        https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/this-former-ceo-cut-her-70-hour-workweek-down-to-30-with-3-productivity-hacks-start-with-tossing-your-to-do-list/ar-AA1dJe7C?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=7fd1f298718c443c94c5a165b1ce9df2&ei=14

·        https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/3-productivity-tips-that-turned-me-into-a-multimillionaire/ar-AA1e1lVU?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=83e5628256e344ecadcd2784fbac8b70&ei=9

·        https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/productivity-habits-trusted-by-the-world-s-most-successful-entrepreneurs/ar-AA1dECkT?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=efe5dd8122f24f3c992400e523aa54b3&ei=56

·        https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/laziness-isn-t-why-you-procrastinate-this-is/ar-AA16s7Uj?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=f4a60c0dd5ce4b8f80b4f33fc7129ced&ei=20

·        https://www.npr.org/2021/11/05/1052968060/how-the-40-hour-work-week-became-the-norm

·        https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ford-factory-workers-get-40-hour-week

·        https://strongmadesimple.com/blog/small-actions-and-big-successes

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Wek - July 11, 2023

 When work becomes play, and play becomes your work, your life unfolds. - Robert Frost

I don’t think of work as work and play as play. It’s all living. - Richard Branson

As we are in the middle of the year, Christmas is less than six months away and Texas is hitting 100+ degree temperatures, how did the reader fare on their mid-year goal review? Is goal achievement moving along or is the reader not where they expected to be at this point? Summers can be challenging as vacations are occurring. Work and goals are often pushed aside. How can we make working on our goals fun even when we know there is still so much time in the year?

Tom Sawyer is the answer. Think back to reading “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain. Aunt Polly punished Sawyer for another one of his mischievous antics and he had to whitewash the fence. As his friends continually came by jeering at him, Sawyer said it was fun and that he was not upset, and he was actually enjoying it. By the end of the day, Sawyer was paid for the opportunity to help paint the fence (pp. 26-27) 

In “Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us” by Daniel Pink, he defines “The Sawyer Effect” as “the practice that can either turn play into work or work into play” (p. 331). Tom learned he could sway a group into helping him by simply making work into play.

ACTION: As there may be days that are difficult to work on goals, how can you turn work into play to move you closer to accomplish your goals even during the summer months?

 

Resources

·        https://www.williamlanday.com/2010/08/02/the-sawyer-effect/

·        https://darrenkbourke.com/blog/the-sawyer-effect

·        https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/how-did-tom-get-ben-paint-fence-93809

·        Pink, D. (2009). Drive The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. Riverhead Books. (electronic version)

·        Twain, M. (2012). The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Duke Classics. (electronic version)

 

 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 4, 2023

 The history of free men is never really written by chance but by choice; their choice! - Dwight D. Eisenhower

America. It is the only place where miracles not only happen, but where they happen all the time. - Thomas Wolfe

Today, we celebrate the 247^th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress.   As a quick history refresher, Richard Henry Lee put forth a motion in June 1776 to declare independence from Great Britain.  On July 2, 1776, Lee’s motion was approved by the Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence was adopted and signed making America a free nation on July 4, 1776. 

Today is a remembrance of the dream of freedom our founding fathers had and the fight that our founding fathers had to embark on to provide our great country the freedoms we have today.

ACTION: Take time to read a book or an article or watch a documentary to remind yourself of what it took to accomplish this American Dream.    

 

Resources

·        https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/july-4th-quotes-inspiration-to-celebrate-independence-day-2023/ar-AA1dpEjb

·        https://dd.darrenhardy.com/a-symphony-of-freedom?utm_campaign=DarrenDaily&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=264871572&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_Nw0eUcP3glgr-qgzL8q2krK_T7wJfTIMZTLKXzDc9qgCxaAy_GhLZ_nARnBUrdbahi7Kaz1nLoeHhtlwd2w4X6_QcHw&utm_content=264642512&utm_source=hs_email

·        https://www.rd.com/article/4th-of-july-history/

·        http://aguirrenglish.weebly.com/uploads/5/7/5/1/57511731/the_american_dream_of_the_founding_fathers.pdf#:~:text=Liberty%2C%20above%20all%20things%2C%20was%20the%20dream%20that,was%20their%20belief%20in%20equality%20and%20unalienable%20rights.

 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - June 27, 2023

 Stay focused.  Your start does not determine how you’re going to finish. – Herm Edwards

You have to set goals that are almost out of reach. If you set a goal that is attainable without much work or thought, you are stuck with something below your true talent and potential. -Steve Garvey

Today, we are 3 days away from July 1^st, which is halfway through the year. WOW! This year has been crazy and as the author always says it is so not what she expected this year.

As we are halfway through the year, it is time to complete our mid-year review. At the beginning of the year, the author established four areas that she would focus on this year. Below are updates on each of the areas for the author:

1.            Prioritize – The author has worked on prioritizing tasks and actions throughout the first 6 months of the year. She has looked at her priorities and tried to prioritize her activities toward accomplishing her goals and dreams. It has not always been easy, and she has had to revamp activities, which is what we need to do.

2.            Solitude – Almost daily, the author is alone as she works from home and is single, but the author learned this does not mean it is solitude. The author is continually striving towards finding those times when she removes all distractions to think. The author thinks a lot and uses her runs to process those ideas.

3.            Communication – In a blog post, the author talked about the person she has been assisting had previously intimidated her and she has had to overcome her fear and speak slowly so she was communicating effectively. The author has read books and articles to learn new ideas to incorporate into her life to improve her communication skills.

4.            Energy – The author has struggled with energy more than any other. With stress from covering for a coworker and other responsibilities, the author’s sleep has struggled. Eating the right foods is usually a strong thing for the author and so is regular exercise. As the author mentioned above, solitude is an area for the author to improve, which will help improve her energy.

Through this analysis, the author knows she needs to work on prioritizing and her energy.

ACTION:   Take time to analyze how the year is going in comparison to your goals, areas of focus, etc. What areas do you need to focus on over the next 6 months?

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - June 20, 2023

 We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us. – Budget Travel

In the end, we only regret the vacations we didn’t take. - https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1b/c7/6a/1bc76a6423a5fd6aa1861882f0d5618c.jpg

As the author has stated, she has been covering for a coworker for the last 4.5 months.  She has not had a day off since December.  The author has given her all and is worn out.   

When the author took on this responsibility, she decided that she would have a reward at the end.  The author planned to meet a friend for a fun activity and then head to the beach. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the trip did not occur.  Knowing that the author needed to disconnect, she traveled to a new state park and an awesome lake.  Check out her pictures on her Facebook page. 

Life is either daring adventure or nothing at all. – Helen Keller

This is not the trip the author wanted or needed.  However, it is the adventure she could take at this time.  Driving through Texas, she was able to decompress and was reminded of the beauty of the state she lives in.  Arriving at Lake Arrowhead State Park, she found the lake beautiful and worth the drive.

Next weekend, the author has a different trip planned and will hopefully go to San Diego later in the year.  

The author had a wonderful time on her road trip, and she definitely does not regret it.  There are times that we just cannot go on a weeklong vacation to unplug.  Those are the times to explore and be adventurous. 

Taking time to rest, renew, and refresh yourself isn’t wasted time.  Recharge.  Choose what energizes you. – Melody Beattie

ACTION: What adventures will you be taking to unplug and recover from the stress and strain of life?

Resource

·        https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2021/05/23/why-taking-vacation-time-could-save-your-life/?sh=3093c77e24de

·        https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/9-signs-you-re-mentally-exhausted-and-how-to-bounce-back/ar-AA16zGks?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=839eb00c0cf7453af1cefc69d7a8bd96&ei=9

·        https://hbr.org/2020/06/managers-encourage-your-team-to-take-time-off

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - June 13, 2023

 The greatest achievements were at first, and for some time, dreams. – James Allen

Make time to celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how big or small. – LeanGreenIslandGirl.com

Last week, the author honored the 79^th anniversary of D-Day. That date is also an important date for the author because four years ago last Tuesday the author had her interview for her current job.  As she was getting ready to go to the interview, she watched the 75^th anniversary ceremony and remembered how moving it was.

As the author was remembering June 6, 2019, she started thinking about everything that has happened in the last four years.  Additionally, she wrote a bio for a new volunteer opportunity, and she reflected on the many accomplishments she has had over her life and how people have had an impact on her.  Through this, the author was encouraged to keep pushing forward with her purpose, dreams, and goals.

Recently, the author heard a motivational speaker discuss that we need to remind ourselves of our successes and encourage ourselves.  This may sound a little strange, but it worked wonders for the author.  As the last four months have been challenging, writing her bio reminded her that she has been through many challenging times and has overcome and flourished and can do it again.  

Terri Savelle Foy recommends creating an achievement board, which is like a vision board.  The achievement board will have pictures of accomplishments to keep the reader encouraged. 

 ACTION: Take time to remember your successes and how much you have accomplished over the years.  Create an achievement board or something to reflect on those accomplishments.

 

Resource

·        https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/add-this-to-your-vision-board-to-stay-super-focused/id274538089?i=1000613967587

·        https://www.pinterest.com/pin/155022412148959709/

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - June 6, 2023

 

Today, when people thank me for my service, I figure three years of my time is a cheap price to pay for this country. Nobody owes me a thing.  - Lieutenant Buck Compton

Today is the 79^th anniversary of D-Day, which was the name of the storming of the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944.  The invasion occurred in northern France by troops from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and other countries during World War II.

In December 2014, the author traveled internationally and had the amazing experience to travel to France to visit the beaches of Normandy.  During the walk on the beaches, the author had a memorable conversation and wrote about it on June 4, 2019 (https://tuesdaytipoftheweek.blogspot.com/2019/06/terris-tuesday-tip-of-week-june-4th.html).   Below is a section from that post:

As we walked the beaches, the tour guide said that today people actually sunbath on the Normandy beaches.  I was absolutely appalled.  To me, that was where men had died during war and I thought the beaches were hallowed-ground and needed to be respected.  The tour guide said she understood my perspective; however, she said that she once asked a veteran that fought at Normandy if he thought it was appropriate for people to sunbath on the beaches of Normandy.  His response was, “I fought for people to be able to do that.”

As we commemorate this solemn day, take time to think about the many men that stormed the beaches that day, what they did for our country and the world during World War II.

To view the pictures from the trip to Normandy, click here:  https://www.facebook.com/terri.flow.3/media_set?set=a.10152428980207294&type=3.

 ACTION: Find a way to honor those that stormed the beaches of Normandy 79 years ago today.

Resource

·        https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day

·        https://people.com/human-interest/veterans-return-to-normandy-on-78th-anniversary-of-d-day-and-remember-life-changing-moments-of-wwii/

·        https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/17-inspiring-d-day-quotes-to-remember-75th-anniversary-of-d-day.html

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - June 6, 2023

 Today, when people thank me for my service, I figure three years of my time is a cheap price to pay for this country. Nobody owes me a thing.  - Lieutenant Buck Compton

Today is the 79^th anniversary of D-Day, which was the name of the storming of the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944.  The invasion occurred in northern France by troops from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and other countries during World War II.

In December 2014, the author traveled internationally and had the amazing experience to travel to France to visit the beaches of Normandy.  During the walk on the beaches, the author had a memorable conversation and wrote about it on June 4, 2019 (https://tuesdaytipoftheweek.blogspot.com/2019/06/terris-tuesday-tip-of-week-june-4th.html).   Below is a section from that post:

As we walked the beaches, the tour guide said that today people actually sunbath on the Normandy beaches.  I was absolutely appalled.  To me, that was where men had died during war and I thought the beaches were hallowed-ground and needed to be respected.  The tour guide said she understood my perspective; however, she said that she once asked a veteran that fought at Normandy if he thought it was appropriate for people to sunbath on the beaches of Normandy.  His response was, “I fought for people to be able to do that.”

As we commemorate this solemn day, take time to think about the many men that stormed the beaches that day, what they did for our country and the world during World War II.

To view the pictures from the trip to Normandy, click here:  https://www.facebook.com/terri.flow.3/media_set?set=a.10152428980207294&type=3.

 ACTION: Find a way to honor those that stormed the beaches of Normandy 79 years ago today.

Resource

·        https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day

·        https://people.com/human-interest/veterans-return-to-normandy-on-78th-anniversary-of-d-day-and-remember-life-changing-moments-of-wwii/

·        https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/17-inspiring-d-day-quotes-to-remember-75th-anniversary-of-d-day.html