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/

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - January 3, 2023

 Set your goals high, and do not stop till you get there. - Bo Jackson

Do not wait for the perfect time and place to enter, for you are already onstage. - Unknown

Over the holidays, the author spent time reflecting on 2022 and thinking about her goals for 2023.  2022 was stressful due to the author’s job and having relocated within less than 2 months of the new year starting.  Also, she dealt with the passing of her parents throughout the year. 

Earlier in 2022, the author contemplated 2023 and thought she knew what her word for the year was going to be.  However, she started reviewing her life and noticed that the author had become complacent on finishing her daily tasks and left many webpages unread and let them pile up.  When the author reviewed her goals, she saw that she had not accomplished her reading goal in 2022 both in the number of books to read and the number of pages to read.  For the author, she was not pleased with herself.  She also knew that the books she read were not the books she stated she wanted to read. The author has talked about FOMO (fear of missing out) and she herself fell into this trap as she read books that were the hype at the time, but did not meet her goals.

Running in the snow in Ruidoso, New Mexico, the author decided her 2023 would be based on 4 words, which are:

1.      Prioritize

2.      Solitude

3.      Communication

4.      Energy

Over the next 4 weeks, the author will discuss why these four words are directing the author’s life in 2023 and how she has implemented them in her life.

ACTION:  Review the 2023 goals you created. Are there any changes you should make based on the results of your 2022 goals?  If so, this is a great time to revise them to help you have an amazing 2023.

 

Resources                                                                     

·       https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/200-best-inspirational-quotes-2023-keep-you-motivated-klokbox/

·       https://www.rd.com/list/morning-habits-successful-people/

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - December 27, 2022

 Dare to dream big dreams. For those are the dreams that have the power to push your whole world forward. -  Ralph Marston

Believe in the life inside you, believe in the great and holy mind within you, and push forward with the dream you have chosen until you make it. - Ilchi Lee

Last week, the author wrote about John A. “Bud” Hillerich making a bat for Pete Browning and from that act of kindness the iconic “Louisville Slugger” brand was born. After Hillerich, age 17, volunteered to create a bat, ballplayers from all around the country started coming to his father’s woodworking shop to have a bat created for them. However, Hillerich’s father was not supportive of taking the business in the direction of making baseball bats. He envisioned the company making wood projects that would be found in homes including stair railings, butter churns and pillars. Hillerich’s father turned away business from ballplayers because he wanted to focus on his vision. However, Hillerich persisted, and his father finally relented to his son’s enthusiasm. (https://www.slugger.com/en-us/explore/our-history)

This story is a great example of how each reader needs to stick to their dreams even when opposition comes against them. Opposition can come in many forms, but when someone has a vision, they have to carry it forward and not stop when the naysayers come against them.

ACTION:  Last week, you started creating your 2023 goals and thinking about how your goals would impact lives. Do you see support from others, or do you think those around you will be like Hillerich’s father who doubted the idea and not support you? How will you overcome that in 2023?

Resources                                                                     

·       https://www.slugger.com/en-us/explore/our-history

·       https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/culture-magazines/louisville-slugger#:~:text=The%20roots%20of%20the%20Louisville%20Slugger%20date%20to,their%20own%20bats%20and%20often%20owned%20only%20one

·        https://dd.darrenhardy.com/this-is-your-opportunity-to-help-millions?_hsmi=237120252&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_3fRVneA5D8ICP6oJDk7ZmrSLs-QPUYtqfy1ccesCFkBO1lLRXUY3UjTkKPHgvFwswiIVYqlRD2uah8EGSJh5uSRvlvw

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - December 20, 2022

 Every small act of kindness ripples into a BIG impact. - Darren Hardy

A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives. - Jackie Robinson

John A. “Bud” Hillerich headed out to a baseball game on a late spring afternoon. While watching the game, Pete Browning broke his bat and Hillerich offered to make him a new bat. Hillerich, who was an apprentice in his father’s woodworking shop, was also an amateur baseball player that had made baseball bats for teammates and himself. Browning who had the nickname “The Louisville Slugger” had been in a batting slump and the first game with his new “Louisville Slugger” bat the slump was broken (https://www.slugger.com/en-us/explore/our-history ). Through asking if Browning would like a new bat made, Hillerich changed baseball forever.

I’d have been a .290 hitter without Louisville Slugger. – Ted Williams

Like Hillerich, the reader has impacted the world and not realized it. The author experienced this on Saturday. She organized a group to participate in Wreathes Across America where individuals go to cemeteries and place wreathes on graves of those who have served in the United States military. Participants from different groups stated the event impacted their lives, and they would do it again next year. By simply asking people to volunteer, the author helped impact someone’s lives. Every reader has probably had the same impact on someone’s life.   

ACTION:  This week, take time to start thinking about what your 2023 goals are and how you want to impact lives. Start writing down goals and think about how the goals could impact one person’s life.

Resources                                                                     

·       https://www.slugger.com/en-us/explore/our-history

·       https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/culture-magazines/louisville-slugger#:~:text=The%20roots%20of%20the%20Louisville%20Slugger%20date%20to,their%20own%20bats%20and%20often%20owned%20only%20one

·        https://dd.darrenhardy.com/this-is-your-opportunity-to-help-millions?_hsmi=237120252&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_3fRVneA5D8ICP6oJDk7ZmrSLs-QPUYtqfy1ccesCFkBO1lLRXUY3UjTkKPHgvFwswiIVYqlRD2uah8EGSJh5uSRvlvw

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - December 13, 2022

 We can accomplish more together than we can alone. - Max De Pree

Other people have qualities that may be better than your own. Let them express them. - Nelson Mandela

 

On November 12, 2022, the author ran the Naval Air Station/Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth 5-miler.  Through her church, a group of runners registered and ran together.  The author has run for years to relax, process problems and stay in shape. Usually, she runs alone and maintains the same pace.  However, running this 5-miler was different.  The group the author ran with was a few men and we were told this was the flattest course any runner would ever run.  The author would disagree with that as there were “minor” hills when we started.   As we progressed, the author kept up with the other men she was running with through the first 2.25 miles.  After that, she had to slow down to a different pace. 

The author completed the 5-miler running her personal best and took a picture as she crossed the finish line.

What made the difference for the author in this run?  She maintained a pace with better runners that helped her improve.  As the author is a very independent person, she learned that we all need community and that we get better with others.      

ACTION: When have you done something alone and realized later that you could have done better if you had a team/community/friends assisting?  How will you change this in 2023?

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - December 6, 2022

Be here.  Be Present.  Wherever you are, be there. – Willie Nelson

You must be present to win. – Alex Rodriguez

 

Has the reader ever been brushed off, ignored or felt like someone they were talking to did not consider them important? 

According to the Mary Kay Foundation, many years ago Mary Kay Ash experienced this.  She stood in line for 2 hours to meet a man she highly regarded.  When she made it to the front of the line, the man shook her hand while looking over her shoulder to view the length of the crowd still to meet.  In that moment, Ash was distraught, hurt and betrayed.  Ash decided at that moment that every person she met would have her full attention and she would make that person feel special.    

December is full of hustle and bustle.  Do not forget the reason for the season and to focus on the individuals in front of the reader.    

This lesson should be remembered all year long as we should always remember to focus on the present and the people in front of the reader at the moment.

ACTION:  Think about how you can be present during this holiday season. 

Resources
http://blog.marykayfoundation.org/corporate/archive/2017/05/01/how-to-make-someone-feel-important.aspx

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - November 22, 2022

 

Worry is a waste of energy.  It can’t change the past.  It can’t control the future.  It only makes today miserable. - Rick Warren

Never let an impossible situation intimidate you. Let it motivate you - to pray more, trust more, expect more. - Rick Warren

In early September, the author challenged readers to take on a new task/project/activity to finish the year strong.  As we are less than 32 days from the end of the year, how is the reader doing on completing or implementing this project? 

The author has to tell on herself.  Work has been extremely busy and she has been focused with a few other things meaning her new project has not been her top priority.  Focusing on the project the week of Thanksgiving, she ran into issues with people being on vacation and not available to answer her questions.  Stressing over the situation over the long weekend, the author lost sleep because she did not know how she would handle the situation. 

During this time, the author read a couple devotionals by Rick Warren that challenged her to not worry because it would be a waste of her energy.  One specific devotion said that sometimes the best thing to do is get a good night sleep because the situation would look different the next way.  Looking back over previous blog posts, the author herself wrote to relax like Carl Lewis when he competed because he ran faster when he was relaxed. 

As the weekend came to an end, the author came up with a plan and was able to implement.  Almost immediately after implementing, she had peace.

ACTION:  What actions can you take this week to move closer to accomplishing your task/activity/project?  Remember to relax to go faster as we move closer to the end of 2022.