"Someday" is not a day of the week . . . .

Hi friends! How was your weekend? I had a very productive one and can't even begin to tell you what a difference it has already made for the start to my week. First, please allow me to tell you what has inspired me to get a move on. We have put our house on the market, so if and when it sells, we will be building a smaller place that is less than half the square footage, and THAT is my inspiration! The thought of having to move all my "stuff" has inspired me to get it together. I've begun to ask myself a few questions as I sort through my things.... "Do I really want to have to find a spot for it in a smaller place?", and "Do I love it?" I've decided that if I'm not using it, it's gone.  This is one job that I cannot procrastinate about. If I got an offer tomorrow, and did nothing in advance, I'd be in big twouble. I don't want to face that kind of pressure. So I know that the best way to get it done is to begin. It would truly be self-sabotaging to not get started, and I know it. Honestly, when you dread a task, it uses up more time and energy than just doing it. It literally exhausts me to think about doing it later. Do you find yourself procrastinating? Do you realize how soon not now becomes never? We make it harder on ourselves when we put things off. I love Mark Twains thoughts....."The secret to getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into smaller manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one." Thank you Mr. Twain. 

If you're facing an overwhelming task, and find that you're having a hard time getting started, take Mr. Twain's advice. Break it down into small manageable tasks, and just start with the first one.  

Do it now, brother. 

Do it now.

-Author Unknown

Put forth your best . . . .

Happy Monday! It's a new work week, and for the most part, you probably have somewhat of a clear idea as to what is expected of you this week. How are you approaching it? Are you dreading it already? Are you scheming about ways to skirt your duties, or are you heading into your work week with determination, challenging yourself to put forth your best? I can tell you this.....if you're sporting a negative attitude already, you can count on it being more difficult than it needs to be, and I guarantee you, you're only hurting yourself. When you give your best,  people notice. When you don't, people notice. If you're showing up early, staying late, and doing it with enthusiasm, you make yourself irreplaceable. Competition is tough! But when you put forth the best of yourself, show a willingness to do what it takes, and work one more hour, 90% of your competition will drop out. Roll up your sleeves, and show 'em what you've got! Do it for YOU!

"When we do more than we are paid to do, 

eventually we will be paid more for what we do."

-Zig Ziglar

Happy Friday, my friends!

Have a wonderful weekend!

What is it about New Year's resolutions that cause people to discard them so quickly? Is it because they feel it's just another promise they make to themselves that they know will be broken by the time March rolls around? It's so self-defeating to think of them that way! I came across a quote recently that said, "A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other." Oh my goodness, that is SO true for SO many. I've already noticed that the gym isn't quite as busy as it was on January 2nd! But it doesn't have to be that way! I have a sign that I keep in my sight that says, "Do something today that your future self will thank you for." I love that! That is such a huge motivator for me because I KNOW that "that future" will be here before I know it! You have to at least BEGIN to do something differently if you want change in your life. How can your life be better a year from now if you don't even get started? Doing nothing is the easy route. Do you come home tired every night and end up on the sofa? Don't do that! Starting today, don't do that! As someone who exercises a minimum of 5 days a week, I too am often tired when I begin my workout, but I promise, it doesn't take long before I am feeling so much better, completely energized, and mentally stimulated. Require more of yourself! This much I know.......nobody's going to do it for you. Be accountable for the decisions you make every day. Dr. Phil McGraw says....."Starting now, begin each and every day of your life with the question: 'What can I do today to make my life better?' Ask it, answer it, and then do it, every day."

If you continue to do what you've always done,

you will continue to have what you've always had.

If you do different,

you will have different.

Happy Friday!

Have an awesome weekend! 

Photo of Norah Jones via Pinterest

Let's be realistic here. You won't drop 

two jean sizes in one day. You won't lose 

fifty pounds in one month. You're going

to binge every now and then. You will

go a day or two without working out.

Your weight is going to fluctuate here

and there. You're going to try new 

techniques, and they're not going to

work. You're a human being. You're 

going to fail. But nothing great is ever

accomplished without a few obstacles.

Go there! . . . .

Let's just say that you were given the chance to go anywhere in the world, money is not an issue, and you're leaving tomorrow ......... where would you go? If you could throw caution to the wind, would you  jet set to the South of France, Tahiti or Morocco? New York City, Hawaii or Greece? If you're a foodie, maybe it's Rome where you can indulge in fresh-made pasta & sauces, or enjoy amazing pizza. 

Please don't think that these types of vacations only happen to others. Living the life of your dreams is for YOU just as much as it is for the next person! But first you have to stop the negative thoughts such as "It'll never happen." Listen....you can't reach a goal that you don't have! Decide that you can make your dream vacation a reality, and start today. Set the goal and work towards it. I promise, IT CAN HAPPEN FOR YOU! 

• Start by deciding where it is that you'd like to go. Stop by your local bookstore and pick up a travel magazine.
• Cut out pictures of your dream destination.
• Hang this visual image somewhere where you can see it regularly. The simple act of converting your dream to a visual image has a way of stimulating creative thoughts, and that's what will bring you closer to it becoming a reality.
• Share your dream with someone that you know will support & encourage you, not someone who will discredit your thoughts.
• Take action. If it means you have to make small changes in your life to reach your goal, then do it! But think of the process of fulfilling your dream as an adventure, not a chore.
• Be persistent. There are lots of options as to how you might achieve your goal.....if one doesn't work, go to the next one.
• Be patient. Dreams don't just happen overnight. Never give up. 

"Let's go out and let stories happen to us. Let's work them, water them....till they bloom"

-Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Photo by Greg Bajor via flickr

Hello Monday!! . . . .

Dear Monday,

Thank you for coming around the corner 

when I need you most!

You always show up at the perfect time! My  weekend was great, but I always need you to get me back on track. You inspire me!! You always give me the boost I need to get it together. 

I love and appreciate you, 

Kisses, Connie

I've got a busy start to my week, then will hop a plane to Miami for a meeting and a little R & R. My friends, I hope you find the determination, clarity, willpower, creativity , and strength that you need to make it through another week.

Here's to a beautiful week!

No worries!

What you do today 

can improve all your tomorrows!

YOU CAN DO IT!

I'm rooting for you!

xo

Start with I . . . .

What does it take to fully inhabit your life? It takes realizing how important the I, is. That means you. Let me explain.......

This is not about other people, it's not about changing the world in big ways, it's not even about doing great things---rather, it is about doing small things that give you life, bring you joy, help you inhabit the stories of your days---and, by extension, help change the world and the lives of others around you. To fully live, you must be present in the biggest way possible. 

It is so tempting to start with They instead. If only They would let me. If only They would see my value. If only They would stop expecting so much (or so little) of me.

Stop.

Great change does not come when we present our case to the king and believe he will all of of a sudden "get it," or when we leave it to His Majesty to give us what we want or need. It won't happen. Permission, change---whatever you want to call it---it doesn't come to us when we sit and wait for it, or when we ask for official sanction. If Rosa Parks had waited to pull together a National Bipartisan Task Force on Bus Seating, she'd still be standing at the bus stop, and so would a lot of other people. Great change doesn't come with official endorsement. It just never has. Change occurs at the edges, without permission.

Why do we give up our power to the very people who took it away in the first place? Why am I waiting for permission? Why am I letting other people measure my worth? What stories do They tell about me that I've started believing?

Stop saying They.

There's no doubt work needs to be done on the systems---the organizations that measure appreciation in cubicle sizes, and there's no doubt we sometimes don't have the power to make those changes ourselves. But many times we can't wait for the systems that created the mess to fix themselves. We can't wait for the conditions to be right for change. It will take too long. We cannot give our power away to the people who took it from us in the first place. Put your arms around your own life. Find the change you can make and make it. 

Start with I.

From the book 

Life is a Verb

37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful, and Live Intentionally.

by Patti Digh

Cover me. I'm going in! . . . .

I had the pleasure of sitting on the beach yesterday with one of my favorite people, my sister-in-law. We were talking about getting things done and why it is harder for some more than others. First of all, let me tell you, she rocks. She has 3 children, 10 & under, and is pregnant with her 4th. She's extremely busy, but this is one woman who can get stuff done. I know when my kids were home, I too was able to juggle more than my share of daily tasks. So why is it, now that I have all the time in the world, that it seems to be harder to organize my time? I'm pretty sure I know the answer to that.....I tell myself that if I don't get it done today, I will have the time tomorrow. But this task is wearing on me. William James once said, "Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task." And this is one task that I want behind me. It's time to purge my closets! No big deal, right? Get in and get it done. But I find myself walking in, and walking out. Several weeks ago I wrote a post about owning it, and this is one project I need to own. No one's going to do it for me, and I can already feel the exhilaration of having it behind me. That is, by far, the biggest reward.  Do you have a project looming over you that you've been procrastinating about? Remind yourself of the wonderful feeling of having it complete, and just do it. So cover me......I'm going in!!

"Procrastination is, hands down, 

our favorite form of self-sabotage."

-Alyce P. Cornyn-Selby

It's a brand new week . . . .

Have a little too much fun this past weekend? 

Eat too much? Drink too much? Play a little too hard? I've said this many times.....it's a new day! Don't beat yourself up.... just make sure you get back on track immediately. Albert Einstein once said, "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." You and I know better. If we want change, we can't expect it if we're repeating old habits. You now have in front of you a brand new week! No excuses.  Slip right back into those healthy habits that leave you feeling strong & satisfied. I promise, you'll be so glad you did.  

"Motivation is what gets you started.

Habit is what keeps you going."

-Jim Rohn

Photo by Nicole Hill Gerulat

Getting things done . . . .

Happy Monday to you! I am happy to be home, and even happier to be slipping back into my daily routine.  I have a "to-do" list that may take me a few days to get through, and it reminds me of my friend who gets so much joy from the actual "checking off" of the list. As a matter of fact, we often laugh about it because we both realize that it seems silly to get so much satisfaction from doing that, but we know that it's all about the fulfillment of a completed task. To us it feels more like a "ta-da" list! Getting things done, and moving on...yep, always feels so good. A few tips.....be sure to prioritize and keep it short,  otherwise you will begin to feel overwhelmed and you may end up walking away from the entire list. Make it doable, and tackle one thing at a time. You can always add to your list once you've completed a few things. By the end of the week........ you get to enjoy the satisfaction of having it behind you, and the Ta-da!

Have a wonderful day! 

We Teach People How to Treat Us . . . .

You either teach people to treat you with dignity and respect, or you don't. This means you are partly responsible for the mistreatment that you get at the hands of someone else. You shape others' behavior when you teach them what they can get away with and what they cannot.

If people in your life treat you in an undesirable way, figure out what you are doing to reinforce, elicit or allow that treatment. Identify the payoffs you may be giving someone in response to any negative behavior. For example, when people are aggressive, bossy or controlling --- and then get their way --- you have rewarded them for unacceptable behavior.

Because you are accountable, you can declare the relationship "reopened for negotiation" at any time you choose, and for as long as you choose. Even a pattern of relating that is 30 years old can be redefined. Before you reopen the negotiation, you must commit to do so from a position of strength and power, not fear and self-doubt. The resolve to be treated with dignity and respect must be uncompromising.

The worst thing you could do is make a lot of noise about changing things, only to revert to the old, familiar, destructive patterns. To talk about change and not take action to do it is to teach that person to treat your statements and declarations lightly. You will teach him or her to be patient, confident that you will soon give in. Where your relationship standards are concerned, commit to yourself that, although it may be difficult to effect change, you must not compromise. To compromise in this area is to sell out your most precious commodity: YOU.

We teach people how to treat us. Own, rather than complain about, how people treat you. Learn to renegotiate your relationships to have what you want.

From the book Life Strategies

Ride on . . . .

Via Notes from The Universe

Photo via Google Images

Bring it on . . . .

If I had to select one quality, one personal characteristic that I regard as being most highly correlated with success, whatever the field, I would pick the trait of persistence. Determination. The will to endure to the end, to get knocked down seventy times and get up off the floor saying, "Here comes number seventy-one!"

-Richard M. Devos


Photo via Stylist REBECCA VAN REHN