Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - April 9, 2024

You can do anything, but not everything. – Jon Acuff

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end. –

Seneca

I started this blog because I was leading a lady’s group at my church, and it was suggested to me that I should write a weekly blog to encourage ladies and share my wisdom. That was in July 2014. In the almost 10 years I have been writing Terri’s Tuesday Tip of the Week, I have lived in Austin, Texas, Arlington, Virginia for 5 years and now Fort Worth, Texas. There have been many life changes, some amazing and some sad. Throughout, I have shared what I learned from each event and how it moved me closer to accomplishing my dreams.

Now, I share that I have decided to end this blog after at my 500^th post. My life is changing, and new doors of opportunity are opening for me that need my full attention. Over the coming weeks, I am going to highlight some of my favorite blog posts I have written over the years.

For today, the lesson is to learn when to end something. This decision has been coming for over a year. I knew I still had more to share, but I also knew the end was coming. As I continue to recover from perfectionism, ending at my 500th blog seemed fitting.

 Unfortunately, perfectionism dies slowly. It’s persistent and particularly dangerous because it masquerades as excellence. - Jon Acuff

 

ACTION: Is there something in your life that you have known for a while you need to end? This task/action may still give you joy or it may not. Other priorities may need to take the top spot in your life. What steps do you need to do to end the task/action?

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - April 2, 2024

 Carve out and claim the time to care for yourself and kindle your own fire. - Amy Ippoliti

Self-care is a deliberate choice to gift yourself with people, places, things, events, and opportunities that recharge our personal battery and promote whole health—body, mind, and spirit. - Laurie Buchanan, PhD

Welcome to April!

To finish up the first quarter update from the author, the author continues to focus on meeting new people and networking. As she discussed last week, the author has been going to different activities with friends. Some of the events attended provided the author the opportunity to network with local business owners, business leaders, political contacts, etc. Networking can occur at any activity and intersects in various ways.

In addition, the author has worked on her style in the first quarter by reading articles, going to stores to view the current trends, etc. The author knows the best attire for her body and knows that she wants to have a simple, sophisticated style like Audrey Hepburn, and she continues to strive toward that.

Lastly, the author analyzed her goals for the first quarter of the year. The author is listening to podcasts, going to events, hanging out with friends, and volunteering. With the various activities and work, the author does need to focus on her reading goal. Also, the author will focus on visiting new places now that the weather has improved since spring has arrived.

ACTION: How are your goals progressing this year? What changes will you make in the next three months to catapult you to success at the end of 2024?

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - March 26, 2024

 Be kind to yourself.  You are doing the best you can in this moment. – Ella Sommer

Self-care is not selfish! It is the only way we can give our best to the world! - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/164311086391664086/

As we are approaching the end of the first quarter of 2024, it is time to start analyzing the year to determine our progress and decide if changes need to be made to move us towards accomplishing our goals.

For the author, she is amazed at how the year is going for her.

Work is keeping the author extremely busy even though she is only doing one job this year! Even with this busy schedule, the author is determined to keep the promise to herself for self-care. 

As an update on self-care for the author, she is doing well. For the first update, the author’s health. She continues to work out each day and continues to research ways to improve her sleep. Second, the author is embarking on new volunteer opportunities. In early March, the author became an honorary commander for a group at the local joint reserve base. The author is so excited as she met with the colonel this past week to discuss ideas and has already started working on her first opportunity to help the airmen/airwomen.

Third, the author is working on socializing and her friendships. Since the author moved back to Texas, this area has been a challenge for her. A friend of the authors said it took her three years to make friends when she returned to Texas and the author would agree that it has taken close to the same amount of time.

ACTION: How are you doing with your goals and focuses for 2024? Are there any changes you need to make to accomplish your goals this year? Determine what tweaks you need to make in your life to put you on a path to accomplish your goals and dreams.

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - March 19, 2024

 Out of clutter, find simplicity. - Albert Einstein

A place for everything, and everything in its place. - Benjamin Franklin

Spring starts today. Adventures await. New opportunities are on the horizon. Dreams are ready to be fulfilled. Is the reader ready?

This past weekend, the weather was dreary in Texas, so the author took the opportunity to clean out her house. Yard work was accomplished. Files were cleaned out, floors scrubbed, and the closet was organized! The closet had been on the author’s mind for a month, and she had started it, but never finished. She placed tasks on her to-do list, but never accomplished them. Now, it is clean, and space is available. Walking into her closet the author smiles as she sees the space and organization she created.

The objective of cleaning is not just to clean, but to feel happiness living within that environment. – Marie Kondo

Why is it important to have a clean home? There are many reasons, but here are a couple for the author:

·        When the author’s closet was cluttered, she did not sleep well. After organizing the closet, she felt calm and was able to sleep.

Clutter smothers. Simplicity breathes. - Terri Guillemets

·        A cluttered home with papers all around disrupts accomplishing your goals and dreams.

·        One must have a life that is ready for new opportunities when they knock. John Wooden said:

When opportunity comes, it’s too late to prepare.

ACTION:   How will you declutter your home in March?

 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - March 12, 2024

 Spring is nature’s way of saying ‘Let’s party.’ – Robin Williams

Spring is the time of plans and projects. – Leo Tolstoy

Spring will start one week from today. We are so close to having made it through a dark cold winter and now it is time to have fun. 

If the reader follows the author on Facebook, the reader has seen that the author has started new adventures in 2024.

Why do we need to play and have fun in life? According to Greg McKeown in Essentialism:

Play expands our minds in ways that allow us to explore: to germinate new ideas or see old ideas in a new light. It makes us more inquisitive, more attuned to novelty, more engaged. (p. 86)

Here are examples that Howell lists in Shine: Using Brain Science to Get the Best from Your People where people were playing, and new ideas were developed:

Columbus was at play when it dawned on him that the world was round. Newton was at play in his mind when he saw the apple tree and suddenly conceived of the force of gravity. Watson and Crick were playing with possible shapes of the DNA molecule when they stumbled upon the double helix. Shakespeare played with iambic pentameter his whole life. Mozart barely lived a waking moment when he was not at play. Einstein’s thought experiments are brilliant examples of the mind invited to play.

By playing, we allow our minds to relax and look at ideas and problems from a different perspective.

ACTION:  As spring is arriving soon, how are you going to play to stimulate your brain?

Resources

·        McKeown, G. (2014). Essentialism. Crown Business.

·        Howell, E. M.D. (2011). Shine: Using Brain Science to Get the Best from Your People. Harvard Business Review Press.

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - March 5, 2024

 When you make the right decision, it doesn’t really matter what anyone else thinks. - Caroline Kennedy

Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from making bad decisions. - Mark Twain

The author hopes the last month of blogs on decision making was beneficial. For the author, she learned a lot through this experience and is happy to report that her new furniture arrived. On delivery day, the author was frustrated because the delivery men were delayed. The next day after the author calmed down, she was happy with her decision.

This decision had to happen extremely quickly, and the author did everything she knew to do to make the best decision. Having to trust her gut/intuition with this decision worried the author. However, she now knows she made wise decisions at every step along the journey.

As the author thought about this whole situation, the author realized that she had been researching this decision for months and even years. Before the author bought her house, she watched various shows on HGTV, Magnolia Network, etc. to see what she liked. Gathering this data helped with the intuition/gut decisions she made for her new items, which means we are continually gathering data in our brains to make decisions.  

ACTION:  What decision(s) did you make in the last month that you realize you have also been researching and preparing to make for years?

Resources

·        https://cms-assets.life.church/Media/Craig-Groeschel-Leadership-Podcast/Leader-Guide-Show-Notes/145%20-%20CGLP%20Leader%20Guide%20-%208%20Habits%20of%20Great%20Decision%20Makers,%20Part%201.pdf?utm_content=id_7e3ad138-8e52-4766-acbc-3f12cb78e9a9-name_8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-1-language_EN-path_%2Fleadershippodcast%2Fleadership%2F8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-1&utm_source=life_church  

·        https://cms-assets.life.church/Media/Craig-Groeschel-Leadership-Podcast/Leader-Guide-Show-Notes/147%20-%20CGLP%20Leader%20Guide%20-%208%20Habits%20of%20Great%20Decision%20Makers,%20Part%202%20FINAL.pdf?utm_content=id_85fe4e37-3ee9-4098-8431-70d270299ba1-name_8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-2-language_EN-path_%2Fleadershippodcast%2Fleadership%2F8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-2&utm_source=life_church

·        https://api-assets.life.church/uploads/message/2468/podcast_show_notes/8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-2.pdf

·        Discover Your Decision-Making Style - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSjMsY0kv9A&t=748s

·        https://www.realtimeperformance.com/ulysses-s-grant-12-leadership-lessons/

·        Email from Keith Craft dated July 9, 2023 titled “The art of decision making”.

·        https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/how-did-ulysses-s-grant-make-life-and-death-decisions/331198

 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - February 27, 2024

 And the trouble is, if you don't risk anything, you risk even more. - Erica Jong

To truly do something remarkable, you'll have to occasionally override your logic and trust your intuition. – Craig Groeschel

Once a person decides when to decide, seeks wise counsel and researches the topic, a decision has to be made. Making a decision can be difficult and stressful. Often times, people are concerned that they will make a mistake. Rarely can someone be 100% positive about the decision they are making. At this point, the individual has to trust their gut/intuition and take a risk.

Trust your gut. Do your research but stop at 80 percent confidence rather than 110 percent. – The Power of Habit

According to Groeschel in part two of his podcast titled 8 Habit of Great Decision Makers, our guts are continuously “recognizing patterns, connecting experiences and processing subconsciously” the information in our brains. With our brains intrinsically processing the information gathered, our guts make wise decisions.

ACTION: How well do you trust your gut? Knowing your brain is continually processing information, does that build your confidence in making decisions? What will you do to help feel more confident in your decisions?

Resources

·        Groeschel, Craig. January 4, 2024. 8 Habits of Great Decision Makers, Part 1. (145). Life Church. URL: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-1/id1070649025?i=1000640526923.

·        https://cms-assets.life.church/Media/Craig-Groeschel-Leadership-Podcast/Leader-Guide-Show-Notes/145%20-%20CGLP%20Leader%20Guide%20-%208%20Habits%20of%20Great%20Decision%20Makers,%20Part%201.pdf?utm_content=id_7e3ad138-8e52-4766-acbc-3f12cb78e9a9-name_8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-1-language_EN-path_%2Fleadershippodcast%2Fleadership%2F8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-1&utm_source=life_church  

·        Groeschel, Craig. February 1, 2024. 8 Habits of Great Decision Makers, Part 2. (147). Life Church. URL: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-2/id1070649025?i=1000643785374 .

·        https://cms-assets.life.church/Media/Craig-Groeschel-Leadership-Podcast/Leader-Guide-Show-Notes/147%20-%20CGLP%20Leader%20Guide%20-%208%20Habits%20of%20Great%20Decision%20Makers,%20Part%202%20FINAL.pdf?utm_content=id_85fe4e37-3ee9-4098-8431-70d270299ba1-name_8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-2-language_EN-path_%2Fleadershippodcast%2Fleadership%2F8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-2&utm_source=life_church

·        https://api-assets.life.church/uploads/message/2468/podcast_show_notes/8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-2.pdf

·        Crucial Learning. Four Surprising Career Habits of Highly Successful People. The Power of Habit.

·        Discover Your Decision-Making Style - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSjMsY0kv9A&t=748s

·        https://www.realtimeperformance.com/ulysses-s-grant-12-leadership-lessons/

·        Email from Keith Craft dated July 9, 2023 titled “The art of decision making”.

·        https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/how-did-ulysses-s-grant-make-life-and-death-decisions/331198

 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - February 20, 2024

Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from making bad decisions. - Mark Twain

I stupidly memorize my credit card and use it about thrice weekly for online shopping. The only reason I don't bankrupt myself is that I return about 75% of what I buy. - Mindy Kaling

As the author said last week, she learned that her decision-making style is “the researcher,” which was not a surprise to her.  When the author thinks of researching, that often includes reading online reviews, product details, feedback from other consumers, touching and experiencing the item, etc. However, the author confirmed something she already knew, which is online shopping is not always the best thing when making big purchases.   

For this purchase, the author and her interior designer found a couch that they both liked, and they both thought it would be a great purchase. The author found that the couch was in a local store and decided she would go look at it. The picture online made the sofa look great, but when the author saw it, she did not like it. The author took a picture and sent it to her interior designer, and she did not like it either. At that point, the author went back to one of the original items she liked and viewed it.

The author regularly shops online and often returns a majority of what she buys. The author is a person that has to experience what she is purchasing. However, in our society today, a majority of the items available on websites are not available in stores. 

As I stare at it, I can feel little invisible strings, silently tugging me toward it. I have to touch it. I have to wear it. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. - Rebecca Bloomwood, Confessions of a Shopaholic

ACTION: In today’s society, online shopping is very popular. What do you do to make sure your purchases will be worthwhile?  

Resource

·        https://cms-assets.life.church/Media/Craig-Groeschel-Leadership-Podcast/Leader-Guide-Show-Notes/145%20-%20CGLP%20Leader%20Guide%20-%208%20Habits%20of%20Great%20Decision%20Makers,%20Part%201.pdf?utm_content=id_7e3ad138-8e52-4766-acbc-3f12cb78e9a9-name_8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-1-language_EN-path_%2Fleadershippodcast%2Fleadership%2F8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-1&utm_source=life_church  

·        https://api-assets.life.church/uploads/message/2468/podcast_show_notes/8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-2.pdf

·        Discover Your Decision-Making Style - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSjMsY0kv9A&t=748s

·        https://www.realtimeperformance.com/ulysses-s-grant-12-leadership-lessons/

·        Email from Keith Craft dated July 9, 2023 titled “The art of decision making”.

·        https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/how-did-ulysses-s-grant-make-life-and-death-decisions/331198

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - February 13, 2024

 Nothing is impossible for those who act after wise counsel and careful thought. - Thiruvalluvar

A fool despises good counsel, but a wise man takes it to heart. - Confucius

The 2^nd lesson the author learned is to have an advisor or seek wise counsel. 

Knowing she would have to make a quick decision, the author reached out to a friend that does interior designing.  Through modern technology, we worked on 3D virtual interior designing with a computer system, did facetime so the author could show the house to her interior designer, took pictures, read reviews of new product ideas, etc.  Through this process, the author was researching all possibilities just like President Grant did each night when he had to make hard decisions that affected the country.

There are two options for a personal advisor. As the author did, she reached out to a friend that has experience in interior design to help her select the best options available in a short amount of time.  The second option is used if the reader does not have time or wants to keep the decision to themselves.  Craig Groeschel recommends becoming “Your Own Personal Advisor”.  What does he mean? He suggested to pretend the reader is advising an individual on the decision trying to be made. The reader emotionally removes themselves from the decision and the reader can analyze the situation to make a wise decision. 

Through this experience, the author confirmed that her decision-making style is as “The Researcher”.  To learn more about the different decision-making styles, listen to Craig Groeschel’s YouTube video titled Discover Your Decision-Making Style.

ACTION: For the decision you placed on your calendar last week, seek wise counsel either through a source or become your own personal advisor to assist in making the decision.

Resource

·        https://cms-assets.life.church/Media/Craig-Groeschel-Leadership-Podcast/Leader-Guide-Show-Notes/145%20-%20CGLP%20Leader%20Guide%20-%208%20Habits%20of%20Great%20Decision%20Makers,%20Part%201.pdf?utm_content=id_7e3ad138-8e52-4766-acbc-3f12cb78e9a9-name_8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-1-language_EN-path_%2Fleadershippodcast%2Fleadership%2F8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-1&utm_source=life_church  

·        https://api-assets.life.church/uploads/message/2468/podcast_show_notes/8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-2.pdf

·        Discover Your Decision-Making Style -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSjMsY0kv9A&t=748s

·        https://www.realtimeperformance.com/ulysses-s-grant-12-leadership-lessons/

·        Email from Keith Craft dated July 9, 2023 titled “The art of decision making”.

·        https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/how-did-ulysses-s-grant-make-life-and-death-decisions/331198

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - February 6, 2024

 Sometimes you make the right decision, sometimes you make the decision right. - Phillip C. McGraw

Some of our important choices have a time line. If we delay a decision, the opportunity is gone forever. Sometimes our doubts keep us from making a choice that involves change. Thus an opportunity may be missed. - James E. Faust

Welcome to February!

Last week the author started a new series on decision making where she discussed how President Grant was an effective decision-maker. As the author mentioned, she had to make a big decision in seven days, which is pretty quick for her. Here is the scoop…In mid-January, the author purchased new recliners for her house. She was proud of herself because she researched the materials, size, and other aspects of the chairs. Additionally, she read reviews and saw no issues with her selection. When they were delivered, they were not what the author was expecting as they were not easy to move around in, little padding, and overall, not comfortable. Immediately, the author contacted the company and found out that she could exchange the items within seven days or pay a restocking fee to get a refund. After analyzing the situation, the author knew she needed something new in her living room and developed a plan to find items to exchange for her purchase.

Here is the first lesson the author learned through this experience. Craig Groeschel said in his podcast “8 Habits of great decision makers, part 1”, decide when to decide. The author knew she had seven days from delivery to exchange so the timeframe was established for her. However, she also took into account other events she had going on in that timeframe and decided on a particular day to decide as she had to go in-person to make the exchange.

ACTION: What decisions do you have looming that need to be made? This week, decide when you will make a decision and write it on the calendar.

 Resource

·        https://cms-assets.life.church/Media/Craig-Groeschel-Leadership-Podcast/Leader-Guide-Show-Notes/145%20-%20CGLP%20Leader%20Guide%20-%208%20Habits%20of%20Great%20Decision%20Makers,%20Part%201.pdf?utm_content=id_7e3ad138-8e52-4766-acbc-3f12cb78e9a9-name_8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-1-language_EN-path_%2Fleadershippodcast%2Fleadership%2F8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-1&utm_source=life_church  

·        https://api-assets.life.church/uploads/message/2468/podcast_show_notes/8-habits-of-great-decision-makers-part-2.pdf

·        https://www.realtimeperformance.com/ulysses-s-grant-12-leadership-lessons/

·        Email from Keith Craft dated July 9, 2023 titled “The art of decision making”.

·        https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/how-did-ulysses-s-grant-make-life-and-death-decisions/331198