Well, I am down 7.5 pounds and am feeling pretty good about myself. I did give myself a chocolate reward this week, but since I didn't go overboard with ir, I'm okay with that too. I also figured out which exercises at karate bother my knee (jumping lunges and thrusting squats) and have modified them to better suit me. I also am not taking two classes in a row, which really didn't help.
My nephew managed to break my husband's keyboard tray and I have already fixed it, and brought the tools I was using to fix it back downstairs where they belong. Today I am going to get my tax stuff done so I can send it out before my deadline of Thursday, [ut all my stuff in the checkbook on the computer and sew.
How are all of you doing?
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Courage
Courage isn't not being afraid, courage is doing it even though you are afraid. Last night in class we did standing forward rolls. These are not particularly fun for me. After four or five of these, I get dizzy and the walls started moving. Mr. Karate once told me I was done with forward rolls because they were "deteriorating". Next week's technique is called Leap From Danger. Someone pushes you from behind and you do a forward roll, gain your feet, turn around and face them. That's going to be pretty interesting for me. Usually when I am done the forward roll I grab the ground so it doesn't move on me. Then I get up (slowly) and do another.
Am I a glutton for punishment, or courageous? Who knows.
:)
Oh yeah, got my husband's W2 in the mail. That means I have to mail the tax stuff to the accountant by next Thursday. Don't be shy about asking me if it's done yet.
Am I a glutton for punishment, or courageous? Who knows.
:)
Oh yeah, got my husband's W2 in the mail. That means I have to mail the tax stuff to the accountant by next Thursday. Don't be shy about asking me if it's done yet.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
It's Over
Yes, Wednesday is over. Had a late dinner and THREE, count them, THREE Lindt chocolates. Tomorrow is another, better day.
:)
Update: And I lost 2 pounds! You know what that means? Chocolate is GOOD for you when you are on a "diet".
:)
Update: And I lost 2 pounds! You know what that means? Chocolate is GOOD for you when you are on a "diet".
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sweets
Marie I was craving sweets lately and just gave in and had a small chocolate extreme blizzard from DQ. I had it at about 2 today and haven't been hungry since. So much fat and sugar, must have filled me up.
I want to weigh myself so bad but am not going to. I know my body needs more time to adjust and change. I've been doing this for a month tomorrow and it's just too soon. I will get discouraged and it's not been that long.
I will say going to step aerobic does give me quite a workout. I'm wiped out that day and sore but it's that good sore. It's also very humbling. Most of the girls in there are very thin. I try to get a step so I can't see myself. The girls are nice but I feel like they are inside laughing at me. Granted there is no indication that anyone is making fun of me. I keep going to step aerobic even though it's not fun to see myself in the mirror at times. I am proud of myself for going and I know it's better for me to go and feel that way than not go at all. It's still frustrating.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Perseverence
What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.And a big fat ki-ay goes after that saying!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Another Week
It's another week, and supposed to be a real wet one here. I have been doing well with my karate technique notes. I diligently write out the technique immediately after learning it which helps my learning process. I am also doing much better with learning the new sections of the form as well as making sure I have the detailed notes to go with it.
I balanced my checkbook within 10 days of receiving the statement. A far cry from when it was a month or two or four. My goal is that once I get my husband's W2 all the tax paperwork will go to the accountant within one week That should bring my refund to me a lot faster. Gotta like that.
I put up my nephew's chin up bar that has been "sitting around" and "oh, we really should put that up". I also scrubbed the tile behind the stove and planning to have a yard sale in the spring with my mother and sister, so all the books and tapes I don't want are going into the "yard sale" section. Now I feel better about cleaning out more stuff. Knowing I am not just going to "throw it away" makes me more inclined to keep "spring cleaning." (I just hate throwing stuff away if it is usable, it makes me feel like I am wasting it.) I really don't care how much I get for the stuff, just that someone can use it makes me happy. Any money I will consider found or lucky money, put away for a rainy day.
So that's it for me. How's everyone doing?
I balanced my checkbook within 10 days of receiving the statement. A far cry from when it was a month or two or four. My goal is that once I get my husband's W2 all the tax paperwork will go to the accountant within one week That should bring my refund to me a lot faster. Gotta like that.
I put up my nephew's chin up bar that has been "sitting around" and "oh, we really should put that up". I also scrubbed the tile behind the stove and planning to have a yard sale in the spring with my mother and sister, so all the books and tapes I don't want are going into the "yard sale" section. Now I feel better about cleaning out more stuff. Knowing I am not just going to "throw it away" makes me more inclined to keep "spring cleaning." (I just hate throwing stuff away if it is usable, it makes me feel like I am wasting it.) I really don't care how much I get for the stuff, just that someone can use it makes me happy. Any money I will consider found or lucky money, put away for a rainy day.
So that's it for me. How's everyone doing?
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The Road Of Life
The road of life we each travel isn't one endless stretch of flat, paved expressway, but rather, is filled with curves, valleys, detours, potholes and bumps. Life is very unpredictable and that is what makes it so interesting and alluring. It's that unpredictability that makes for some real gut-tightening questions and fears as well.
Ever feel like quitting? "Are you kidding?" you ask, "A better question would be, 'How many times TODAY have I felt like quitting?' " Sure. We've all felt like "throwing in the towel" at one time or another. If you haven't, I suggest that you check your pulse quickly. And here's a real shocker for you: the notion that "winners never quit" is a crock! Everyone - even "winners"- has not only felt like it, but has even quit at one time or another.
We just have to see what's around the next curve. Having said that, I do feel that we, too often, give up on our dreams too easily and quickly - perhaps, just one small step short of success. So what do you do when the going gets tough and you feel like quitting? Here are ten strategies that you can employ when you hit those apparent "roadblocks" on your road of life:
1. Remember the reason(s) you started in the first place. What was the "spark" that caused you to begin the journey? Revisiting that may help rekindle the flame that helps you go on.
2. Ask yourself, "What would I rather be doing?" If nothing compelling comes to mind, then determine the next step you need to take to move you closer to your original destination. If something more compelling does come to mind, maybe you need to quit.
3. List 10 reasons why you CAN keep going. What strengths and resources do you possess that will help you achieve your desired outcome? Just the very act of doing this shifts your focus from the problem to the solution.
4. Give yourself permission to quit. Sounds crazy, but it works. When you set up an internal law that says, "I can't quit." Or "I shouldn't quit", it makes the desire to quit even stronger.
5. Give yourself a need to continue. Rather than focus on why you feel you need to quit, focus on why you need to continue. What's the payoff, the reward waiting for you if you persevere?
6. Stop focusing on the struggle and start focusing on the solution. Whatever you focus on expands. If your focus is on the struggle you are experiencing, that becomes the biggest (and maybe even the ONLY) thing on your "horizon" It blocks out many, if not all, of the creative opportunities and solutions that may be trying to present themselves to you.
7. Take a hard look at your methodology. Tired of getting poor or less than optimum results from your efforts? Then why keep doing things the same way an expecting something different to happen? That's the classic definition of insanity! Ask yourself, "What's the most radical or unorthodox action I could take right now?" Try it.
8. Make a contract with yourself. Write out what you intend to accomplish and how you intend to accomplish it and then give yourself, say, six months to achieve your goal. Sign and date it and keep it where you can see it. You might even impose some kind of "penalty" for breaking the contract - no chocolate for a month, maybe.
9. Get real. Were you enticed by the "illusion" that success is easy? Maybe you were enamored by the "fluff" that if you just want something badly enough, it will find its way to your doorstep. Success is WORK. Pure and simple. It is the result of a certain mindset as well as a set of deliberate actions. If you want to quit something, then quit fooling yourself by thinking it's going to be a "piece of cake".
10. Walk away. Sometimes looking at something too hard or long obscures the solutions. It's the "can't see the forest for the trees" phenomenon. By simply walking away or taking a break from the struggle to solve, you often free your mind to see new options and opportunities.
Ever feel like quitting? "Are you kidding?" you ask, "A better question would be, 'How many times TODAY have I felt like quitting?' " Sure. We've all felt like "throwing in the towel" at one time or another. If you haven't, I suggest that you check your pulse quickly. And here's a real shocker for you: the notion that "winners never quit" is a crock! Everyone - even "winners"- has not only felt like it, but has even quit at one time or another.
We just have to see what's around the next curve. Having said that, I do feel that we, too often, give up on our dreams too easily and quickly - perhaps, just one small step short of success. So what do you do when the going gets tough and you feel like quitting? Here are ten strategies that you can employ when you hit those apparent "roadblocks" on your road of life:
1. Remember the reason(s) you started in the first place. What was the "spark" that caused you to begin the journey? Revisiting that may help rekindle the flame that helps you go on.
2. Ask yourself, "What would I rather be doing?" If nothing compelling comes to mind, then determine the next step you need to take to move you closer to your original destination. If something more compelling does come to mind, maybe you need to quit.
3. List 10 reasons why you CAN keep going. What strengths and resources do you possess that will help you achieve your desired outcome? Just the very act of doing this shifts your focus from the problem to the solution.
4. Give yourself permission to quit. Sounds crazy, but it works. When you set up an internal law that says, "I can't quit." Or "I shouldn't quit", it makes the desire to quit even stronger.
5. Give yourself a need to continue. Rather than focus on why you feel you need to quit, focus on why you need to continue. What's the payoff, the reward waiting for you if you persevere?
6. Stop focusing on the struggle and start focusing on the solution. Whatever you focus on expands. If your focus is on the struggle you are experiencing, that becomes the biggest (and maybe even the ONLY) thing on your "horizon" It blocks out many, if not all, of the creative opportunities and solutions that may be trying to present themselves to you.
7. Take a hard look at your methodology. Tired of getting poor or less than optimum results from your efforts? Then why keep doing things the same way an expecting something different to happen? That's the classic definition of insanity! Ask yourself, "What's the most radical or unorthodox action I could take right now?" Try it.
8. Make a contract with yourself. Write out what you intend to accomplish and how you intend to accomplish it and then give yourself, say, six months to achieve your goal. Sign and date it and keep it where you can see it. You might even impose some kind of "penalty" for breaking the contract - no chocolate for a month, maybe.
9. Get real. Were you enticed by the "illusion" that success is easy? Maybe you were enamored by the "fluff" that if you just want something badly enough, it will find its way to your doorstep. Success is WORK. Pure and simple. It is the result of a certain mindset as well as a set of deliberate actions. If you want to quit something, then quit fooling yourself by thinking it's going to be a "piece of cake".
10. Walk away. Sometimes looking at something too hard or long obscures the solutions. It's the "can't see the forest for the trees" phenomenon. By simply walking away or taking a break from the struggle to solve, you often free your mind to see new options and opportunities.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Strengthening The Legs
I have to work on strengthening my thighs and legs. We've been doing a lot of fun ground fighting in the 2nd degree class and leg strength is very important. I think that I will slowly start some box work (from The Firm) and see how my knee handles it. If the knee doesn't hurt, I may step it up a bit (no pun intended).
The good thing is that there are always options in kenpo. I couldn't do the take down on one technique because it involved pivoting on my right (gimpy) knee. So I adjusted, squatted on my partner's leg, pulled it up and put him in a leg lock. My partner is a 16 year old who outweighs me and is taller than me. According to my nephew (Mr. Karate) the look on his face was totally disgusted that I managed to take him down, despite his best efforts to the contrary. TWO POINTS FOR ME!
So, remember everyone, the RIGHT way is not always the BEST way for you. There may be another RIGHT way that fits more into what you are attempting.
:)
The good thing is that there are always options in kenpo. I couldn't do the take down on one technique because it involved pivoting on my right (gimpy) knee. So I adjusted, squatted on my partner's leg, pulled it up and put him in a leg lock. My partner is a 16 year old who outweighs me and is taller than me. According to my nephew (Mr. Karate) the look on his face was totally disgusted that I managed to take him down, despite his best efforts to the contrary. TWO POINTS FOR ME!
So, remember everyone, the RIGHT way is not always the BEST way for you. There may be another RIGHT way that fits more into what you are attempting.
:)
Friday, January 22, 2010
Doing Well
There was LEMON TRUFFLE at work this week. Waaaaaa. I had a small bit on Tuesday but that was it. I didn't go near the peanut butter brownies. (It would have been a different story if they were the cream cheese brownies. Thank goodness those weren't there.) I am down 6.5 pounds and am determined to continue to do well. My coworker was having a blast teasing me about the truffle, but even she had to admit I was doing well on my "diet" and that's what counts. She said she just wasn't as focused on losing weight, even though she wanted to. I know from experience that you have to TOTALLY commit to your goal to achieve it. It has certainly made all the difference in the world for me. So remember, 100% total commitment. :)
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Goals We Set – Are Goals We Get!
New Years 2010 is here and most people have hopes and dreams to see it be their best year ever. We encourage you to take the time to put all your wishes and dreams down on paper. Called a WISHLIST or VISION for 2010, because that’s exactly what it is, a list of wishes, hopes and dreams.
If you had a magic wand in your hand and could create a perfect year for yourself in the next 12 months…what would it look like?
What kind of shape would you be in?
What would your business and career life be like? How about your income and financial success? How much money would you have in savings?
Writing down your wishes and dreams is a great exercise. It’s also a lot of fun and it helps you to start thinking about creating the goals that will move you in the direction of your dreams.
Once you’ve created your WISHLIST or VISION for 2010, the next step is to create a 90 Day Massive Action Plan.
These are the actions you are going to take to make your dreams and goals become a reality. Your M.A.P.}>Massive Action Plan.
Experts agree the moment you take action on your dreams, you have begun the process of Goal Achievement. The first action should always be to write them your goals down on paper. Better known as Think it…Ink it!
Never leave the sight of a goal without taking action. Goal Setting is such an essential and powerful tool for success in life.
Our Black Belt Success System is a great example of Goal Setting in action. Becoming a Black Belt Champions takes an average of 3-5 years for those that set their sights on it early. This would be considered a long range goal.
The best way to achieve a long range goal is to break it down into bite sized portions. Do this by creating short and mid-range goals that lead you toward your ultimate long range objective.
If you had a magic wand in your hand and could create a perfect year for yourself in the next 12 months…what would it look like?
What kind of shape would you be in?
What would your business and career life be like? How about your income and financial success? How much money would you have in savings?
Writing down your wishes and dreams is a great exercise. It’s also a lot of fun and it helps you to start thinking about creating the goals that will move you in the direction of your dreams.
Once you’ve created your WISHLIST or VISION for 2010, the next step is to create a 90 Day Massive Action Plan.
These are the actions you are going to take to make your dreams and goals become a reality. Your M.A.P.}>Massive Action Plan.
Experts agree the moment you take action on your dreams, you have begun the process of Goal Achievement. The first action should always be to write them your goals down on paper. Better known as Think it…Ink it!
Never leave the sight of a goal without taking action. Goal Setting is such an essential and powerful tool for success in life.
Our Black Belt Success System is a great example of Goal Setting in action. Becoming a Black Belt Champions takes an average of 3-5 years for those that set their sights on it early. This would be considered a long range goal.
The best way to achieve a long range goal is to break it down into bite sized portions. Do this by creating short and mid-range goals that lead you toward your ultimate long range objective.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Better Late than Never?
Wow, guys!! I have hardly had time to realize that it's 2010 and you are all KICKING BUTT with your goals!!! So awesome! Sorry I'm late getting in on this, but I figure better late than never, right?
Well, to be honest, I don't have a lot of goals for 2010, but I thought I'd wrap up my 2009 and see how I did. So here are my goals from my very first Dreams with Deadlines post over a year ago . . .
1. I have GOT to lose weight. I have gained 20 pounds since I got married just over a year and a half ago. This year I resolve to lose at least 10 of the 20 pounds I've gained (trying to be realistic and not disappoint myself. 15-20 would be awesome, but I would be proud of myself at 10).I plan on doing this by cooking more conscienciously, exercising at least 3 times a week, and eating vegetarian at least one night a week.
Yay!! I succeeded here. I actually had lost about 15 pounds, but I gained back 5 of them at the end of the year. So overall, I did drop 10 pounds. And I did trick my husband in to eating vegetarian much more than we had been. My husband joined my gym with me, which got me going a lot more, and a friend convinced me to do a 5K with her in December, which I did in 36 minutes!!! I was also the team captain for our team, which was the third highest fundraising team in the race (we were racing for Juvenile arthritis). It was awesome, and I loved it, and it's really gotten me in to the whole running thing.
2. I want to get Winston CGC certified.
Well, total fail here. The only thing I did was call a dog training center at the beginning of the year and then never followed up on it. I ended up going back to grad school this past year, and unfortunately, that took priority over training the dogs. As I'm still in grad school now, I don't really see this happening in the next year either.
3. My third and final 'big' goal is to find a way to work from home or to be able to set my own schedule. My primary thought here is to potentially get my real estate license for North Carolina to become my parents independent real estate agent for the construction company they own.
Well, I didn't end up getting my real estate license, but I did end up going back to school to get my graduate certificate in Professional Writing, with a focus on writing web content. This is something I am VERY interested in, and also something I feel will benefit me more in the long run. I already have an undergraduate degree in English, and this certificate is really going to help me find a job in the content and copywriting field I'm interested in. I'm currently in my last semester at school and should have my certificate by May once I complete the last lecture course I'm enrolled in and my internship that I'm doing.
OK, now for 2010......
This year is going to be kind of strange. I'll be finishing grad school and a really awesome internship and so I'm hoping to have some kind of job leads once I'm finished with all that. At the same time, my husband is getting his PE in the fall (Professional Engineering License - he is a civil engineer), and once he gets that, jobs in his field are way easier to get. He already work at a civil engineering firm, but he'll have more options once he has his PE.
Basically, we may both be in the job market at some point during this upcoming year, which means we may also be in the moving/selling a house/buying a new house market. There aren't really jobs in my field here in southeastern Virginia, so we may start looking in other areas. This possibility makes it really difficult for me to make many other goals.
I guess my biggest goal is to have a job IN MY FIELD by the end of 2010. I've been working in my office going on five years now, doing a job that, praise God, I don't HATE, but is in no way related to what I have degrees in.
I'm ready to use my writing abilities and education towards something I might really love, instead of something I can just bear.
And let's be honest - I'd love to lose another 10 pounds.
Oh, and one big financial goal - I PROMISE that in 2010, I will have my husband's car paid off. I had tried to do this in 2009, but it just didn't happen. This year, we will be car-payment free if it's the last thing I do!!
So to re-cap:
1. Find a job, in my field, that I love (wow, not hard at all, right??)
2. Continue to work on losing a bit more weight
3. Pay off the Accord!!
I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone else accomplishes! I'm blown away by what you've all done so far, and having done this with you all for the past year, I have the utmost confidence in your success!
Here's to a fantastic 2010!
Well, to be honest, I don't have a lot of goals for 2010, but I thought I'd wrap up my 2009 and see how I did. So here are my goals from my very first Dreams with Deadlines post over a year ago . . .
1. I have GOT to lose weight. I have gained 20 pounds since I got married just over a year and a half ago. This year I resolve to lose at least 10 of the 20 pounds I've gained (trying to be realistic and not disappoint myself. 15-20 would be awesome, but I would be proud of myself at 10).I plan on doing this by cooking more conscienciously, exercising at least 3 times a week, and eating vegetarian at least one night a week.
Yay!! I succeeded here. I actually had lost about 15 pounds, but I gained back 5 of them at the end of the year. So overall, I did drop 10 pounds. And I did trick my husband in to eating vegetarian much more than we had been. My husband joined my gym with me, which got me going a lot more, and a friend convinced me to do a 5K with her in December, which I did in 36 minutes!!! I was also the team captain for our team, which was the third highest fundraising team in the race (we were racing for Juvenile arthritis). It was awesome, and I loved it, and it's really gotten me in to the whole running thing.
2. I want to get Winston CGC certified.
Well, total fail here. The only thing I did was call a dog training center at the beginning of the year and then never followed up on it. I ended up going back to grad school this past year, and unfortunately, that took priority over training the dogs. As I'm still in grad school now, I don't really see this happening in the next year either.
3. My third and final 'big' goal is to find a way to work from home or to be able to set my own schedule. My primary thought here is to potentially get my real estate license for North Carolina to become my parents independent real estate agent for the construction company they own.
Well, I didn't end up getting my real estate license, but I did end up going back to school to get my graduate certificate in Professional Writing, with a focus on writing web content. This is something I am VERY interested in, and also something I feel will benefit me more in the long run. I already have an undergraduate degree in English, and this certificate is really going to help me find a job in the content and copywriting field I'm interested in. I'm currently in my last semester at school and should have my certificate by May once I complete the last lecture course I'm enrolled in and my internship that I'm doing.
OK, now for 2010......
This year is going to be kind of strange. I'll be finishing grad school and a really awesome internship and so I'm hoping to have some kind of job leads once I'm finished with all that. At the same time, my husband is getting his PE in the fall (Professional Engineering License - he is a civil engineer), and once he gets that, jobs in his field are way easier to get. He already work at a civil engineering firm, but he'll have more options once he has his PE.
Basically, we may both be in the job market at some point during this upcoming year, which means we may also be in the moving/selling a house/buying a new house market. There aren't really jobs in my field here in southeastern Virginia, so we may start looking in other areas. This possibility makes it really difficult for me to make many other goals.
I guess my biggest goal is to have a job IN MY FIELD by the end of 2010. I've been working in my office going on five years now, doing a job that, praise God, I don't HATE, but is in no way related to what I have degrees in.
I'm ready to use my writing abilities and education towards something I might really love, instead of something I can just bear.
And let's be honest - I'd love to lose another 10 pounds.
Oh, and one big financial goal - I PROMISE that in 2010, I will have my husband's car paid off. I had tried to do this in 2009, but it just didn't happen. This year, we will be car-payment free if it's the last thing I do!!
So to re-cap:
1. Find a job, in my field, that I love (wow, not hard at all, right??)
2. Continue to work on losing a bit more weight
3. Pay off the Accord!!
I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone else accomplishes! I'm blown away by what you've all done so far, and having done this with you all for the past year, I have the utmost confidence in your success!
Here's to a fantastic 2010!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
One bite at a time
Loved your post Marie. One pound at a time. I am afraid to weigh myself. I am afraid that I will not have lost any weight and will get discouraged. So for now, I am not going to weigh myself.
I did step aerobics today. I'm getting better at it and can work harder and keep up better. Each time I do it I get better. Every day I do something either treadmill for 45-50 mins or the elliptical and also upper body weights.
As far as food I am doing good. No binges. Still eating fruits and vegetables and good carbs.
Anyone watching the biggest loser? It's pretty good this season.
Happy Wed everyone!
I did step aerobics today. I'm getting better at it and can work harder and keep up better. Each time I do it I get better. Every day I do something either treadmill for 45-50 mins or the elliptical and also upper body weights.
As far as food I am doing good. No binges. Still eating fruits and vegetables and good carbs.
Anyone watching the biggest loser? It's pretty good this season.
Happy Wed everyone!
Week Two Is Done
Well, I am down 5.5 pounds, which makes me very happy. I write in my food journal every day and I am really doing a good job of not going "chow hound happy" on the weekends. The chips that I once headed for as soon as I got home are becoming a distant memory. That in itself is a battle won and I am very pleased with myself for really focusing on my goal and not allowing anything to distract me from it.
I didn't do the checkbook last night, but after 1-1/2 hours snow blowing, I figure I can take a break. I know that all the goal setting masters tell you to get one goal under your belt before taking on another, so I am not too worried about this. I am WAY better than I was, and that in itself is also another battle I am on the way to winning.
I have cleaned out a number of old cassettes (of which I had the CD's, so why keep them?) and a whole bunch of books. My mother is putting things aside to have a yard sale in the spring, so I think that I will do the same. It really feels good to get rid of excess stuff, even if I am doing that slowly.
Anyway, that's what I am up to, how about you?
I didn't do the checkbook last night, but after 1-1/2 hours snow blowing, I figure I can take a break. I know that all the goal setting masters tell you to get one goal under your belt before taking on another, so I am not too worried about this. I am WAY better than I was, and that in itself is also another battle I am on the way to winning.
I have cleaned out a number of old cassettes (of which I had the CD's, so why keep them?) and a whole bunch of books. My mother is putting things aside to have a yard sale in the spring, so I think that I will do the same. It really feels good to get rid of excess stuff, even if I am doing that slowly.
Anyway, that's what I am up to, how about you?
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Weathering the Stress of Change
By Chip Lutz
Change is good! We know it and accept it as a premise but this phrase becomes empty and tiresome when all we know is change. In today's world, change comes at us like a "F-5" Tornado - hurtling objects at us so fiercely that we have to hide in the basement for protection and wait for the winds to subside. When leaders don't make the proper preparations, we find ourselves (and our team) blown more towards "stressed and apathetic" rather than "happy and enthusiastic”! To shelter your team from the stress and negativity that can emerge from the winds of change (even with the best plan), take refuge in these simple actions for creating a positive environment.
Respect
Just as Aretha Franklin sings, you have to show a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T and find out "what it means to me." The fears and negativity that your team face when dealing with change can be calmed when you address them head on. Finding out what the change means to them will help you adapt, overcome and build rapport. Respect on the individual basis is proactive (rather than reactive). Although team members may at first grumble, it will be short lived. Why?! Because they know that you are a leader that listens and acts rather than one who is easily tossed by elements. Seek first to understand and then to be understood.
Kindness
"Play nice." This was something I heard time and time again from my mother while I was growing up and it still applies in my adult life. A kind word, a good deed, sharing, a simple smile - little things that help people connect, collaborate, and cooperate grow increasingly paramount when facing strong winds. Agitated leaders who grow impatient and pushy rarely get the desired result. If they do, the wake of the storm leaves little substance for reconstruction. Kindness enables the team to stay calm during calamity, build morale, and helps keep a steady rudder.
Positive Mental Attitude (PMA)
Any fight is won or lost in our heads long before the battle begins. Predisposing ourselves to a negative outcome usually results in a self-fulfilling prophecy - failure. As leaders, we need weather each storm with PMA and predispose ourselves to making it through - unscathed and unharmed (and maybe a little bit wiser from the wear). PMA is more than just good thoughts - it's positive action. It's putting the walk to the talk. Leaders that model PMA will see no decline in momentum when the storm gets rough. On the contrary, when the high winds come, they will experience the willingness of each team member to collaborate and stay focused on getting through it together. Keep the PMA - it spreads like wildfire!
Authenticity
Each of us, as leaders, should be like a willow tree. Strong in our core, firmly rooted in our values, and able to flex up top to keep from snapping as the storm wanes. Being rooted but flexible allows us to keep decisions in alignment with our values but also meet the needs of the organization and team without hypocrisy. Change is stressful and, usually, generates more change. If we "flip flop" and are "loosey goosey" in decision making, it only generates more stress. Consistency of effort and living in alignment with values demonstrates that there are no hidden agendas, conflicts or contradictions. Stress and uncertainty call for a leader to be calm and certain. Stay firmly rooted - you may lose a few leaves but, in the end, you will weather the storm. Be the "real deal!"
We live in a fast-paced, continually changing world and there is no quick "antidote" for dealing with the stress that accompanies it. Weathering the storm and preparing for the next round requires a continual effort of thought and action. Yes, sure and steady wins the race - every time! These suggestions are YOUR starting place to decrease team anxiety, build rapport, and ensure that everyone gets through it together. This isn't a dress rehearsal, it's the only life you have - take the risk and step up!
Chip is a retired Navy officer with 22 years’ leadership experience. He served as Commanding Officer of two separate Navy facilities and was the Director of Security for Naval District Washington, DC, during September 11, 2001. Additionally, he is adjunct faculty for two colleges where he teaches classes in leadership, teamwork, and organizational behavior.
Change is good! We know it and accept it as a premise but this phrase becomes empty and tiresome when all we know is change. In today's world, change comes at us like a "F-5" Tornado - hurtling objects at us so fiercely that we have to hide in the basement for protection and wait for the winds to subside. When leaders don't make the proper preparations, we find ourselves (and our team) blown more towards "stressed and apathetic" rather than "happy and enthusiastic”! To shelter your team from the stress and negativity that can emerge from the winds of change (even with the best plan), take refuge in these simple actions for creating a positive environment.
Respect
Just as Aretha Franklin sings, you have to show a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T and find out "what it means to me." The fears and negativity that your team face when dealing with change can be calmed when you address them head on. Finding out what the change means to them will help you adapt, overcome and build rapport. Respect on the individual basis is proactive (rather than reactive). Although team members may at first grumble, it will be short lived. Why?! Because they know that you are a leader that listens and acts rather than one who is easily tossed by elements. Seek first to understand and then to be understood.
Kindness
"Play nice." This was something I heard time and time again from my mother while I was growing up and it still applies in my adult life. A kind word, a good deed, sharing, a simple smile - little things that help people connect, collaborate, and cooperate grow increasingly paramount when facing strong winds. Agitated leaders who grow impatient and pushy rarely get the desired result. If they do, the wake of the storm leaves little substance for reconstruction. Kindness enables the team to stay calm during calamity, build morale, and helps keep a steady rudder.
Positive Mental Attitude (PMA)
Any fight is won or lost in our heads long before the battle begins. Predisposing ourselves to a negative outcome usually results in a self-fulfilling prophecy - failure. As leaders, we need weather each storm with PMA and predispose ourselves to making it through - unscathed and unharmed (and maybe a little bit wiser from the wear). PMA is more than just good thoughts - it's positive action. It's putting the walk to the talk. Leaders that model PMA will see no decline in momentum when the storm gets rough. On the contrary, when the high winds come, they will experience the willingness of each team member to collaborate and stay focused on getting through it together. Keep the PMA - it spreads like wildfire!
Authenticity
Each of us, as leaders, should be like a willow tree. Strong in our core, firmly rooted in our values, and able to flex up top to keep from snapping as the storm wanes. Being rooted but flexible allows us to keep decisions in alignment with our values but also meet the needs of the organization and team without hypocrisy. Change is stressful and, usually, generates more change. If we "flip flop" and are "loosey goosey" in decision making, it only generates more stress. Consistency of effort and living in alignment with values demonstrates that there are no hidden agendas, conflicts or contradictions. Stress and uncertainty call for a leader to be calm and certain. Stay firmly rooted - you may lose a few leaves but, in the end, you will weather the storm. Be the "real deal!"
We live in a fast-paced, continually changing world and there is no quick "antidote" for dealing with the stress that accompanies it. Weathering the storm and preparing for the next round requires a continual effort of thought and action. Yes, sure and steady wins the race - every time! These suggestions are YOUR starting place to decrease team anxiety, build rapport, and ensure that everyone gets through it together. This isn't a dress rehearsal, it's the only life you have - take the risk and step up!
Chip is a retired Navy officer with 22 years’ leadership experience. He served as Commanding Officer of two separate Navy facilities and was the Director of Security for Naval District Washington, DC, during September 11, 2001. Additionally, he is adjunct faculty for two colleges where he teaches classes in leadership, teamwork, and organizational behavior.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Being A Better Black Belt
As a 2nd degree Black Belt, I now get to learn the Weapon Form, otherwise known as Form Six. Learning new forms has never been easy for me, so this time around I am determined to be better at it. One reason it is not easy for me is because now we are learning the OTHER side of all our normal techniques. So if we right inside parry and left outside parry, now we will be left inside parrying and right outside parrying. Imagine that you now need to learn how to drive with all the pedals switched and the shift on your left, instead of your right. You are also now on the other side of the road, as well. It's a little daunting. And it's amazing how your body wants to return to what you have previously learned, what it considers "normal".
To help me with the form, I typed out all the techniques in the form, then rewrote them for the "other" side. I also practice that before I learn the new section, so I am not trying to learn the "opposite" movements AND the transitions at the same time. I'm also making sure that I repeat the transitions out loud so I don't forget them before I walk off the mat. I then run to the notebook and add my notes, so I can practice it all together later. I've had two classes on Form Six and feel pretty good about it. It may not seem like much, but to me,it's a big deal. And it makes me happy. And happy is good. Happy is feeling like I accomplished something. Another accomplishment gives me confidence that I can achieve anything I want.
To help me with the form, I typed out all the techniques in the form, then rewrote them for the "other" side. I also practice that before I learn the new section, so I am not trying to learn the "opposite" movements AND the transitions at the same time. I'm also making sure that I repeat the transitions out loud so I don't forget them before I walk off the mat. I then run to the notebook and add my notes, so I can practice it all together later. I've had two classes on Form Six and feel pretty good about it. It may not seem like much, but to me,it's a big deal. And it makes me happy. And happy is good. Happy is feeling like I accomplished something. Another accomplishment gives me confidence that I can achieve anything I want.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Weekly goals
Hi all!
I am a little behind setting big goals for the year. I've been reading what everyone is posting, specially Marie's daily little achievements. Like I've told her before, I see her as a person who works hard to reach her goals but reading little everyday accomplishments just make everything very real and possible. So that's what I want to do for now, focus on little things that I need to do, maybe on a weekly basis? Let's see how it works.
This week I started changing some things. I am trying to stay awake a little later to take more advantage of the day (or the time I have at home, basically). It was hard because I get very tired in the afternoons and I also had a bad cold. For now, I will focus on spending this "extra" time with my mom, who will leave in a few weeks. When she leaves, I have some plans to reorganize the house, and I want to do it little by little during weekdays.
I also started changing my eating habits. I don't have much appettite lately and I started eating really bad. I am trying to add - once again - more vegetables and fruits, even if I don't feel like eating those. I still need to increase the amount of water I drink everyday. I am halfway what the doctor recommended!
I am also walking my dog again. I didn't go out at all with him while I was sick. I really need to go on LONGER walks!!
One of the goals I really want to achieve is to take some time to blog again. I have been so lazy lately that I don't touch the computer for weeks sometimes. I really miss blogging, but I just don't feel motivated enough to do it (or do anything else, really).
The last goal for now, will be the hardest one. I need to be more pacient and comprehensive in regards to my husband's family. There are a lot of things going on there, and the least I want is to add more stress for him right now. I can't let go of the past and it gets too hard to control myself and not be hurtful/resentful/jealous/etc. but he needs my support, and that's what matters now.
Lets see how this week goes!
I am a little behind setting big goals for the year. I've been reading what everyone is posting, specially Marie's daily little achievements. Like I've told her before, I see her as a person who works hard to reach her goals but reading little everyday accomplishments just make everything very real and possible. So that's what I want to do for now, focus on little things that I need to do, maybe on a weekly basis? Let's see how it works.
This week I started changing some things. I am trying to stay awake a little later to take more advantage of the day (or the time I have at home, basically). It was hard because I get very tired in the afternoons and I also had a bad cold. For now, I will focus on spending this "extra" time with my mom, who will leave in a few weeks. When she leaves, I have some plans to reorganize the house, and I want to do it little by little during weekdays.
I also started changing my eating habits. I don't have much appettite lately and I started eating really bad. I am trying to add - once again - more vegetables and fruits, even if I don't feel like eating those. I still need to increase the amount of water I drink everyday. I am halfway what the doctor recommended!
I am also walking my dog again. I didn't go out at all with him while I was sick. I really need to go on LONGER walks!!
One of the goals I really want to achieve is to take some time to blog again. I have been so lazy lately that I don't touch the computer for weeks sometimes. I really miss blogging, but I just don't feel motivated enough to do it (or do anything else, really).
The last goal for now, will be the hardest one. I need to be more pacient and comprehensive in regards to my husband's family. There are a lot of things going on there, and the least I want is to add more stress for him right now. I can't let go of the past and it gets too hard to control myself and not be hurtful/resentful/jealous/etc. but he needs my support, and that's what matters now.
Lets see how this week goes!
Using Stumbling Blocks as Stepping Stones
Everyone makes mistakes and the busier you are, the more mistakes you will make. The only question is "How well and how effectively do you deal with the inevitable ups and downs of life?"
You need to learn the difference between a positive and negative worldview. You learn how to benefit from your mistakes and how to remain positive in the face of adversity.
Let the Light Shine In
This is achieved through the simple exercise of self-disclosure. For you to truly understand yourself, or to stop being troubled by things that may have happened in your past, you must be able to disclose yourself to at least one person. You have to be able to get those things off your chest. You must rid yourself of those thoughts and feelings by revealing them to someone who won't make you feel guilty or ashamed for what has happened.
Using Stumbling Blocks as Stepping Stones
There are two ways to look at the world: the benevolent way or the malevolent way. People with a malevolent or negative worldview take a victim stance, seeing life as a continuous succession of problems and a process of unfairness and oppression. They don't expect a lot and they don't get much. When things go wrong, they shrug their shoulders and passively accept that this is the way life is and there isn't anything they can do to make it better.
On the other hand, people with a benevolent or positive worldview see the world around them as filled with opportunities and possibilities. They believe that everything happens as part of a great process designed to make them successful and happy. They approach their lives, their work, and their relationships with optimism, cheerfulness, and a general attitude of positive expectations. They expect a lot and they are seldom disappointed.
Flex Your Mental Muscles
When you develop the skill of learning from your mistakes, you become the kind of person who welcomes obstacles and setbacks as opportunities to flex your mental muscles and move ahead. You look at problems as rungs on the ladder of success that you grab onto as you pull your way higher.
Two of the most common ways to deal with mistakes are invariably fatal to high achievement. The first common but misguided way to handle a mistake is the failure to accept it when it occurs. According to statistics, 70 percent of all decisions we make will be wrong. That's an average. This means that some people will fail more than 70 percent of the time, and some people will fail less. It is hard to believe that most of the decisions we make could turn out to be wrong in some way. In fact, if this is the case, how can our society continue to function at all?
Cut Your Losses
The fact is that our society, our families, our companies, and our relationships continue to survive and thrive because intelligent people tend to cut their losses and minimize their mistakes. It is only when people refuse to accept that they have made a bad choice or decision- and prolong the consequences by sticking to that bad choice or decision- that mistakes become extremely expensive and hurtful.
Learn From Your Mistakes
The second common approach that people take with regard to their mistakes, one that hurts innumerable lives and careers, is the failure to use your mistakes to better yourself and to improve the quality of your mind and your thinking.
Learning from your mistakes is an essential skill that enables you to develop the resilience to be a master of change rather than a victim of change. The person who recognizes that he has made a mistake and changes direction the fastest is the one who will win in an age of increasing information, technology and competition.
By remaining fast on your feet, you will be able to out-play and out-position your competition. You will become a creator of circumstances rather than a creature of circumstances.
Action Exercises
Now, here are three steps you can take immediately to put these ideas into action.
First, imagine that your biggest problem or challenge in life has been sent to you at this moment to help you, to teach you something valuable. What could it be?
Second, be willing to cut your losses and walk away if you have made a mistake or a bad choice. Accept that you are not perfect, you can't be right all the time, and then get on with your life.
Third, learn from every mistake you make. Write down every lesson it contains. Use your mistakes in the present as stepping stones to great success in the future.
You need to learn the difference between a positive and negative worldview. You learn how to benefit from your mistakes and how to remain positive in the face of adversity.
Let the Light Shine In
This is achieved through the simple exercise of self-disclosure. For you to truly understand yourself, or to stop being troubled by things that may have happened in your past, you must be able to disclose yourself to at least one person. You have to be able to get those things off your chest. You must rid yourself of those thoughts and feelings by revealing them to someone who won't make you feel guilty or ashamed for what has happened.
Using Stumbling Blocks as Stepping Stones
There are two ways to look at the world: the benevolent way or the malevolent way. People with a malevolent or negative worldview take a victim stance, seeing life as a continuous succession of problems and a process of unfairness and oppression. They don't expect a lot and they don't get much. When things go wrong, they shrug their shoulders and passively accept that this is the way life is and there isn't anything they can do to make it better.
On the other hand, people with a benevolent or positive worldview see the world around them as filled with opportunities and possibilities. They believe that everything happens as part of a great process designed to make them successful and happy. They approach their lives, their work, and their relationships with optimism, cheerfulness, and a general attitude of positive expectations. They expect a lot and they are seldom disappointed.
Flex Your Mental Muscles
When you develop the skill of learning from your mistakes, you become the kind of person who welcomes obstacles and setbacks as opportunities to flex your mental muscles and move ahead. You look at problems as rungs on the ladder of success that you grab onto as you pull your way higher.
Two of the most common ways to deal with mistakes are invariably fatal to high achievement. The first common but misguided way to handle a mistake is the failure to accept it when it occurs. According to statistics, 70 percent of all decisions we make will be wrong. That's an average. This means that some people will fail more than 70 percent of the time, and some people will fail less. It is hard to believe that most of the decisions we make could turn out to be wrong in some way. In fact, if this is the case, how can our society continue to function at all?
Cut Your Losses
The fact is that our society, our families, our companies, and our relationships continue to survive and thrive because intelligent people tend to cut their losses and minimize their mistakes. It is only when people refuse to accept that they have made a bad choice or decision- and prolong the consequences by sticking to that bad choice or decision- that mistakes become extremely expensive and hurtful.
Learn From Your Mistakes
The second common approach that people take with regard to their mistakes, one that hurts innumerable lives and careers, is the failure to use your mistakes to better yourself and to improve the quality of your mind and your thinking.
Learning from your mistakes is an essential skill that enables you to develop the resilience to be a master of change rather than a victim of change. The person who recognizes that he has made a mistake and changes direction the fastest is the one who will win in an age of increasing information, technology and competition.
By remaining fast on your feet, you will be able to out-play and out-position your competition. You will become a creator of circumstances rather than a creature of circumstances.
Action Exercises
Now, here are three steps you can take immediately to put these ideas into action.
First, imagine that your biggest problem or challenge in life has been sent to you at this moment to help you, to teach you something valuable. What could it be?
Second, be willing to cut your losses and walk away if you have made a mistake or a bad choice. Accept that you are not perfect, you can't be right all the time, and then get on with your life.
Third, learn from every mistake you make. Write down every lesson it contains. Use your mistakes in the present as stepping stones to great success in the future.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
How Do You Eat An Apple?
I am an assistant Kenpo karate instructor. I have been teaching white belts for several years now. They all want to be able to do everything NOW. RIGHT NOW. So what they started two days ago, or two minutes ago. They want it now. So I ask them "How do you eat an apple?" They all look at me like I am crazy, until I tell them "One bite at a time."
You cannot learn to run unless you have learned to walk. You cannot learn Long Form #2 unless you have learned Long Form #1. You cannot lose 10 pounds without first having lost 1 or 2.
So often people are like "well, I've only lost three pounds..." Hey, go get three pounds of butter and put it in the counter in front of you. Take a good hard look at it. That used to be on you!
You cannot just jump into the big goal and expect instant results. That's why it's good to have little, easily accomplished goals that you can achieve, make you feel better about yourself, and leave you wanting to achieve more. The more little goals you achieve, the more confidence you have and the better the chances of your achieving your bigger goal. That's why I am posting all the little things I've done, so I feel good about myself and feel like I can tackle that big goal. It can be the same for you. Try it and see. But remember, you eat an apple ONE BITE AT A TIME.
:)
You cannot learn to run unless you have learned to walk. You cannot learn Long Form #2 unless you have learned Long Form #1. You cannot lose 10 pounds without first having lost 1 or 2.
So often people are like "well, I've only lost three pounds..." Hey, go get three pounds of butter and put it in the counter in front of you. Take a good hard look at it. That used to be on you!
You cannot just jump into the big goal and expect instant results. That's why it's good to have little, easily accomplished goals that you can achieve, make you feel better about yourself, and leave you wanting to achieve more. The more little goals you achieve, the more confidence you have and the better the chances of your achieving your bigger goal. That's why I am posting all the little things I've done, so I feel good about myself and feel like I can tackle that big goal. It can be the same for you. Try it and see. But remember, you eat an apple ONE BITE AT A TIME.
:)
Monday, January 11, 2010
Weekly Update
Well, I am down 2.5 pounds. I also feel like I have more energy. Both of those are good things.
I haven't done a whole lot on the writing. I'm having a hard time getting back into the swing. We ended up getting a new car last week which seemed to take a lot of time and energy. That surprised me. However I was good and brought along food that I could eat and didn't break my diet at all.
It's amazing the thought process. For weight loss, I can cheat. However for my health I know my cells will know everything I do. I realize I could still rationalize cheating but I don't.
I have had a few ideas of what I want to clean up about my work life. I am also going to a Weston A Price Chapter meeting this week which should be good on both the diet front and also the work front!
One Week
Well, my food journal is REALLY helping me keep track of what I eat but also stopping me from emotional eating. We went to Longhorn's Saturday night. I didn't eat any of the really yummy bread, smothered with butter. I ate maybe eight of the really yummy new fried potato chips. I had a Caesar salad and a rack of ribs. Of course, my son ate 1/3 of the ribs as well as his chicken tender dinner. Hubby had a couple as well. I drank water, and I stopped eating when I started to feel full. I had been very good all day so I only gained back 1/2 pound. Since it is the first week, some of what I lost is water weight, but I am feeling really energized by my start and am looking forward to Week Two and how well I am going to do.
Only twenty something more pounds to go and 14 more days to make my habit.
How is everyone doing?
Only twenty something more pounds to go and 14 more days to make my habit.
How is everyone doing?
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Sharing
I walked up to my karate instructor yesterday and told him I needed to share. He got a little worried until I told him that I was feeling really "gimpy" the past few days. I am having trouble with my right knee and recently received an injection of Sinvisc. It hasn't quite kicked in yet and my knee still hurts. Add to that the recent cold weather (it was 8 degrees before wind chill last night) and the fact that the cold makes my knees hurt and you get where I am going with this.
Also, when my knees hurt, it is a little more difficult to do some things in karate. I work around it, but then I get upset with myself, stressed out, do poorly on things because I am stressing and then get MORE stressed out and do even more poorly.... etc.
I told him I had a plan to deal with it. Lighten up on myself, relax, give myself a break, because I was only making it worse. He listened very well, as he always does, and I felt a lot better for sharing it with him. It was like once spoken, then I could lay my problem to rest. Of course, I had to recognize it and deal with it, which is not always easy. But once I did, class was a lot of fun and a lot better.
Sometimes we are so hard on ourselves, we make it so we can't succeed. We are often our own worst enemy. I've been doing well with my food journal, and my bookkeeping. Now I've addressed this problem. Instead of thinking what you haven't achieved, remember what you have accomplished. Instead of telling yourself that you got 2 out of 10 wrong, remind yourself of the 8 you got correct. We all do somethings very well. Take a moment and pat yourself on the back for those things. You are, after all, the reason they were done well.
:)
Also, when my knees hurt, it is a little more difficult to do some things in karate. I work around it, but then I get upset with myself, stressed out, do poorly on things because I am stressing and then get MORE stressed out and do even more poorly.... etc.
I told him I had a plan to deal with it. Lighten up on myself, relax, give myself a break, because I was only making it worse. He listened very well, as he always does, and I felt a lot better for sharing it with him. It was like once spoken, then I could lay my problem to rest. Of course, I had to recognize it and deal with it, which is not always easy. But once I did, class was a lot of fun and a lot better.
Sometimes we are so hard on ourselves, we make it so we can't succeed. We are often our own worst enemy. I've been doing well with my food journal, and my bookkeeping. Now I've addressed this problem. Instead of thinking what you haven't achieved, remember what you have accomplished. Instead of telling yourself that you got 2 out of 10 wrong, remind yourself of the 8 you got correct. We all do somethings very well. Take a moment and pat yourself on the back for those things. You are, after all, the reason they were done well.
:)
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Magnify the Positives – Shrink the Negatives!
Everyday we are all likely to experience positive things and people, as well as negative things and people. What we focus on, is a choice we all get to make.
You can choose to magnify the negatives and allow yourself to get stressed out by your problems and challenges. When you choose this route, you will attract more negatives.
It will seem as if you have a black cloud over your head.
Whenever you magnify the negatives in your life, you also shrink the positives.
You become blind to the good stuff, simply because you are focusing on all the crap!
Or, you can choose the opposite...to magnify the positives and feed your spirit with great optimism and an energy force that will attract more of the good stuff into your life.
It’s a choice we all get to make every moment of everyday.
Have you ever noticed how lucky some people seem to be?
”The harder you work, the luckier you will become!”
Experience tells me there is a lot of truth to that statement.
People that work hard at achieving pre-determined worthwhile goals and objectives,
Tend to focus on what they want in their lives. And are generally happier because of
their excitement toward their goals.
They soon begin to attract the people, situations and opportunities that bring the luck
they need to become successful achievers.
A good exercise for you to improve on this area, for the next seven days, is to focus only
on the positives in your life. Positive people, events, activities, language and positive actions.
You can choose to magnify the negatives and allow yourself to get stressed out by your problems and challenges. When you choose this route, you will attract more negatives.
It will seem as if you have a black cloud over your head.
Whenever you magnify the negatives in your life, you also shrink the positives.
You become blind to the good stuff, simply because you are focusing on all the crap!
Or, you can choose the opposite...to magnify the positives and feed your spirit with great optimism and an energy force that will attract more of the good stuff into your life.
It’s a choice we all get to make every moment of everyday.
Have you ever noticed how lucky some people seem to be?
”The harder you work, the luckier you will become!”
Experience tells me there is a lot of truth to that statement.
People that work hard at achieving pre-determined worthwhile goals and objectives,
Tend to focus on what they want in their lives. And are generally happier because of
their excitement toward their goals.
They soon begin to attract the people, situations and opportunities that bring the luck
they need to become successful achievers.
A good exercise for you to improve on this area, for the next seven days, is to focus only
on the positives in your life. Positive people, events, activities, language and positive actions.
Friday, January 8, 2010
1500
Congrats to DMK on your goals!
Marie doesn't it feel so good to get things organized? Clean things out.
Did I read correctly Sandy, you are pregnant? Congratulations! Coco will make an excellent big brother.
So here are my goals I made with my dietitian when I last met with her.
Stick to food plan (she gave me a 1500 cal a day food plan)
Exercise 3-4 times a week
measure out portion sizes
On all 3 of these I've done well. I haven't worked out since last week because of my trip to Boston but plan on going to the gym tomorrow again. I am getting use to portion sizes. I am excited about being able to eat bread and potatoes. I find since I can have those it makes eating veggies and other things more enjoyable.
Keep it up everyone!
Stacy
I just wanted to check in and say Hi.
Marie doesn't it feel so good to get things organized? Clean things out.
Did I read correctly Sandy, you are pregnant? Congratulations! Coco will make an excellent big brother.
So here are my goals I made with my dietitian when I last met with her.
Stick to food plan (she gave me a 1500 cal a day food plan)
Exercise 3-4 times a week
measure out portion sizes
On all 3 of these I've done well. I haven't worked out since last week because of my trip to Boston but plan on going to the gym tomorrow again. I am getting use to portion sizes. I am excited about being able to eat bread and potatoes. I find since I can have those it makes eating veggies and other things more enjoyable.
Keep it up everyone!
Stacy
I just wanted to check in and say Hi.
Day Five
My food journal is working out well. I feel really happy and confident that I can keep this going to lose the weight I need. The article in the Huffington Post was very interesting. It said you basically have to be totally committed to achieve your goal. Right now, today, I am totally committed to shedding some weight. For myself, my knee and my future.
I also notice that I am on a more even keel at work (it has been a totally nutty week) while everyone around me is frazzled and grouchy.
Bring on Day Six! I'm ready for it!
I also notice that I am on a more even keel at work (it has been a totally nutty week) while everyone around me is frazzled and grouchy.
Bring on Day Six! I'm ready for it!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Why Don't We Stick with our Goals?
Here's a nice post by Debbie Ford over on Huffington Post about some reasons for failing to keep our New Year's Resolutions.
DKM's Jan Goals
- Focus on walking 6.5 miles w/o stopping (part of my training for the 9 mile)
- Walk 170 miles
- Hike Point Reyes
- Bento 4 times a week
Wrappin' up 2009 & headin' into 2010
I was kinda feeling like a blog hog there - so I'm really happy that everyone is posting again. It was a hard year for me. I've been working horrible hours at work trying to keep employed. All of those hours have really prevented me from doing anything but work, eat, walk/swim and sleep. I have missed blogging, crocheting and cooking.
But on a happy note - Here's where we ended up last year:
But on a happy note - Here's where we ended up last year:
- I have no limp and walk 90 min at 3.3 miles an hour
- I’ve dropped over 50 pounds
- I can swim two miles
- Wearing clothing that I’ve not worn in 20 years
- Hiking 5-10 miles on the weekends
- Walked across the Carquinez & Benicia Bridges
- Walked a 5K
- Donated a squillion pieces of clothing & linens to the women’s shelter
- Donated a squillion books and CD to my grandmother’s assisted living facility & the library
- Gutted and cleaned two rooms of my house
- Got all the kitchen cupboards cleaned up and organized (I don't need to shop for legumes, grains or baking supplies for 10 years!)
So... 2010. I do have some larger goals this year in addition to my smaller monthly goals. I've happily gotten a new position at the bank and have my life back - so I think I'll have a better year and really be able to focus on some of my challenges again.
- I've signed up for a 9 mile walk in Big Sur at the end of April. My goal is to walk the 9 miles in three hours. I've been training for 3 months so far... so we'll see.
- I'm walking 3 5K's this year. One in Phoenix, one in Napa and the boob walk again in SF.
- I'd like to drop some more weight
- Because of the crazy hours - I've not been focusing on my eating. So this is back on my radar - Posting my bento photos on Facebook has been helping.
Thanks for the motivation all!
Day Three
Days Two and Three always seem to be harder than Day One. I think that's because your body figures it's a one day thing and can last for one day, but when you continue to reduce the amount of food you eat your body says "Hey, wait a minute. There's something wrong with this picture."
I think the food journal is a big help. Writing down everything (including the two french fries I had Tuesday) really does make you stop and think about what you want to cram in your mouth. Are you really hungry? Or is it just a habit? Well as we all know, it takes twenty one days to make a habit. I only have eighteen to go!
I have been very good about putting any atm's or checks in the computer checkbook. I can actually see my desk, which is a big improvement. Used to be I worked around the huge pile of everything on it. I am working hard to make this a new habit as well.
I continue to do some small organization whenever I can. I was in the cellar with my son (he was on the treadmill) so I went into my workshop and started sorting through my screws and nails and tools and returned them to their rightful place. Not much, but it is a start and it makes me feel like I am accomplishing something. And that makes me really happy.
Hope everyone is doing well. (And staying warm!)
I think the food journal is a big help. Writing down everything (including the two french fries I had Tuesday) really does make you stop and think about what you want to cram in your mouth. Are you really hungry? Or is it just a habit? Well as we all know, it takes twenty one days to make a habit. I only have eighteen to go!
I have been very good about putting any atm's or checks in the computer checkbook. I can actually see my desk, which is a big improvement. Used to be I worked around the huge pile of everything on it. I am working hard to make this a new habit as well.
I continue to do some small organization whenever I can. I was in the cellar with my son (he was on the treadmill) so I went into my workshop and started sorting through my screws and nails and tools and returned them to their rightful place. Not much, but it is a start and it makes me feel like I am accomplishing something. And that makes me really happy.
Hope everyone is doing well. (And staying warm!)
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Habit of No Excuses
HABIT of NO EXCUSES!
When it comes to our next habit of excellence, there are two types
of people. Those who do what they say and make NO EXCUSES and those
who have become experts at making EXCUSES.
NO EXCUSES is really about accepting 100% responsibility for your
commitments and making no excuses about what you do or don’t do in
your pursuit of excellence.
One way to guarantee acceleration of your success is to accept 100%
responsibility for your life and your attitude, behavior and character.
"There are thousands of excuses for every failure, but never a
good reason." -- Mark Twain
When it comes to our next habit of excellence, there are two types
of people. Those who do what they say and make NO EXCUSES and those
who have become experts at making EXCUSES.
NO EXCUSES is really about accepting 100% responsibility for your
commitments and making no excuses about what you do or don’t do in
your pursuit of excellence.
One way to guarantee acceleration of your success is to accept 100%
responsibility for your life and your attitude, behavior and character.
"There are thousands of excuses for every failure, but never a
good reason." -- Mark Twain
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
A New Day
Well, it was back to work yesterday. That in itself was an achievement, but not a real one. I did start my food journal and I did avoid the chocolate cake in the lunch room. Getting home from work and munching is a habit I need to break but I did well today. Only need 20 more days like that and I will have a new habit.
I have also been putting all my atms and checks in the computer within a day. That makes me feel good. All in all I feel pretty good about how I am working on my goals. I hope everyone else is doing well on theirs.
I have also been putting all my atms and checks in the computer within a day. That makes me feel good. All in all I feel pretty good about how I am working on my goals. I hope everyone else is doing well on theirs.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Amazing What You Find When You Organize!
I have been looking for this disc and these photos for two years, ever since I received my Black Belt. Well, lo and behold, what should I find when I was cleaning out more of the stuff that has been cluttering up the house and bothering me for I don't know how long.
That is my nephew and me. I think that smile says it all, don't you? I am so happy I found these. I put the photos on the computer and labeled the disc and put it with the other "labeled" discs.
I also started a food diary of everything I eat and I started in on the playroom with my son. Half of it is now clean. We will be working on the other half in the coming days. I also cleaned out his drawings and homework folders, another huge pile of papers dealt with.
I am feeling pretty good about myself. How about you?
That is my nephew and me. I think that smile says it all, don't you? I am so happy I found these. I put the photos on the computer and labeled the disc and put it with the other "labeled" discs.I also started a food diary of everything I eat and I started in on the playroom with my son. Half of it is now clean. We will be working on the other half in the coming days. I also cleaned out his drawings and homework folders, another huge pile of papers dealt with.
I am feeling pretty good about myself. How about you?
Sunday, January 3, 2010
What I did last year
Hi all!
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. This is my second year setting goals for the year to come. My goals for last year were:
- Take care of myself. I did try to work on this, but I always find myself looking for comfortable options rather than ones that may make me look better (i.e. my clothes, shoes, hair...) so for now what I am doing is trying to look a lot better, wearing nicer comfortable clothes and shoes, specially for work. Whatever I have that is comfy but looks worn out, goes away.
- Eat healthier. I am pregnant now and I am making better choices about the food I eat but sometimes I just can't find what I really want to eat... I don't have much appettite lately! My husband insists that I need to eat meat but that I just can't do right now, I don't know why because I have never been a vegetarian. The doctor asked me to drink at least 10 glasses of water per day... not too easy when you have to go to the bathroom SO OFTEN!!!
- Exercise. I am only walking for now. I still need to do it for longer distances.
- Hobbies. I did finish some sewing projects, and then I prepared and mailed out 30 hand-made Christmas cards... That was a big project for me, with a deadline and I was very proud to be able to make it! I am excited about new projects for this new year. My husband has also started a hobby: he has a coral reef fish tank that takes a lot of time and effort and now that we both have our "indoor" activities it is easier to work on them knowing that the other one is not spending the afternoon bored or alone.
- Guest room: I had the guest room organized and ready for my family's visit this holiday, but no one slept in there! They all stayed downstairs in the living room. It's still a nice usable area now, and I did clean a lot more giving my sister all the nice clothes that I was keeping but wont fit for quite some time now.
I haven't thought of the new goals yet, but I hope to be able to define them by the end of this week. Until then!
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. This is my second year setting goals for the year to come. My goals for last year were:
- Take care of myself. I did try to work on this, but I always find myself looking for comfortable options rather than ones that may make me look better (i.e. my clothes, shoes, hair...) so for now what I am doing is trying to look a lot better, wearing nicer comfortable clothes and shoes, specially for work. Whatever I have that is comfy but looks worn out, goes away.
- Eat healthier. I am pregnant now and I am making better choices about the food I eat but sometimes I just can't find what I really want to eat... I don't have much appettite lately! My husband insists that I need to eat meat but that I just can't do right now, I don't know why because I have never been a vegetarian. The doctor asked me to drink at least 10 glasses of water per day... not too easy when you have to go to the bathroom SO OFTEN!!!
- Exercise. I am only walking for now. I still need to do it for longer distances.
- Hobbies. I did finish some sewing projects, and then I prepared and mailed out 30 hand-made Christmas cards... That was a big project for me, with a deadline and I was very proud to be able to make it! I am excited about new projects for this new year. My husband has also started a hobby: he has a coral reef fish tank that takes a lot of time and effort and now that we both have our "indoor" activities it is easier to work on them knowing that the other one is not spending the afternoon bored or alone.
- Guest room: I had the guest room organized and ready for my family's visit this holiday, but no one slept in there! They all stayed downstairs in the living room. It's still a nice usable area now, and I did clean a lot more giving my sister all the nice clothes that I was keeping but wont fit for quite some time now.
I haven't thought of the new goals yet, but I hope to be able to define them by the end of this week. Until then!
Some More Minor Things
Well, today wasn't quite as accomplished as yesterday, but I did pull all the financials out of the drawer and have them ready to be filed away. After I get all the tax stuff done. I did spend a while trying to see if I sent in all the medical receipts I could. That was fun. NOT.
I also put the new karate technique into the computer today, the day I got it. That's a first. And since I hadn't put last cycle's techniques into the computer, I did that as well. I was feeling rather good about that.
In regards to diet, I am going to write everything I eat down, therefore making me chose whether or not I want to eat it. I think that will help a lot. I did the Weight Watcher's Points System, but gave all the paperwork to my sister-in-law. I know what I need to do. I know what my weaknesses are. I just have to do it. Like the ad, just do it.
Hope everyone is doing well, in starting their planning, setting up their goals or just plain doing it.
I also put the new karate technique into the computer today, the day I got it. That's a first. And since I hadn't put last cycle's techniques into the computer, I did that as well. I was feeling rather good about that.
In regards to diet, I am going to write everything I eat down, therefore making me chose whether or not I want to eat it. I think that will help a lot. I did the Weight Watcher's Points System, but gave all the paperwork to my sister-in-law. I know what I need to do. I know what my weaknesses are. I just have to do it. Like the ad, just do it.
Hope everyone is doing well, in starting their planning, setting up their goals or just plain doing it.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Some Minor Things
Well, I know it's not really a big deal, but I completely vacuumed all around the computer desks, cleaned books I no longer want out of the bookcase, put the photo albums in the bookcase (and off the floor) and labeled negatives that have been sitting around for a long time (I will take them to the photo shop in the next week) and entered all the atm/checks for the month of December.
I am ready to put all of 2009 financials in the folders (to make space for 2010) and both checkbooks have been balanced and the statements done. (I was five months behind.) I got my son to clean up his room (somewhat) and I have found more Nerf gun bullets than you can imagine.
I went through old DVD's of photos and put them on the computerand then stored the discs. I also cleaned the shelves above the computer and moved the box of CD cases that keeps falling on the floor to its proper spot. I put my son's Black Belt Certificate in a frame (with glass) and up by mine. I am dealing with a lot of small, piddly stuff that I just need to DO! So I am.
I did my shoulder exercises this morning and I am going to do my quad exercises before bed.
You really do have to organize around yourself to get yourself organized.
I am ready to put all of 2009 financials in the folders (to make space for 2010) and both checkbooks have been balanced and the statements done. (I was five months behind.) I got my son to clean up his room (somewhat) and I have found more Nerf gun bullets than you can imagine.
I went through old DVD's of photos and put them on the computerand then stored the discs. I also cleaned the shelves above the computer and moved the box of CD cases that keeps falling on the floor to its proper spot. I put my son's Black Belt Certificate in a frame (with glass) and up by mine. I am dealing with a lot of small, piddly stuff that I just need to DO! So I am.
I did my shoulder exercises this morning and I am going to do my quad exercises before bed.
You really do have to organize around yourself to get yourself organized.
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010 Goals
Some of my 2010 goals are similar to 2009 goals. I got places with my goals but not to the level that I wanted.
I lost 10 pounds last year. Of course, I wanted to loose 50. However, I stopped dieting about October and managed to keep off half the weight I lost (yes I only succeeded at loosing 20 pounds).
This year my goal is to loose about 30 pounds for the year. However, the main part of the goal is feeling good and eating healthy. To that end I have started the Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet Intro (gapsguide.com for those who are interested). This is a diet primarily geared towards healing the intestinal tract, which will help with the metabolism and over all feeling good and being able to stick to goals.
The second part of my goal is to promote my healing blog and work on the book based on this blog. I have about 10 readers each day that I post and I want to increase that to about 30 to 50 readers at each post. Right now I only get that when I manage to get a link into one of the weekly food related blogs. I want to participate in the Carnival of Healing (starting in Feb as it's too late for January) and we'll see what other Carnivals and ways of promoting this blog will work.
I have three drafts done on the book, but it's still shorter than I want. I need to do some more research and work on making sure I make all the points in the book I want to make. I need to be sure it's readable. I would love to have a readable, potentially sellable draft by the end of the year.
Those are my three big goals. We'll see how they work out!
New Year - New Goals!
There are thousands of excuses for every failure, but never a good reason." -- Mark Twain
Okay, folks, it's that time of year again. Where we proudly state our intent and plan to stick to, to see it through, to achieve that which we desire.
I have achieved two of my goals for last year. I achieved the rank of Second Degree Black Belt and I passed in my Intermediate Teaching Certification. I hit some bumps in the road (don't we all?) however. I have chondromalacia in my right knee. It is "anterior knee pain due to irritation of the cartilage on the undersurface of the kneecap." That made running hard and not something I would do more than necessary. I lost control of my weight and I need to lose a good 25 pounds. I also want to be a better black belt, more organized with my time, and do my checkbook every week. So those are my goals. I want to hear about YOUR goals.
But first, I want to give a great SHOUT OUT to DKM for awesome taking the bull by the horns and really achieving some SERIOUS goals.
Okay, folks, it's that time of year again. Where we proudly state our intent and plan to stick to, to see it through, to achieve that which we desire.
I have achieved two of my goals for last year. I achieved the rank of Second Degree Black Belt and I passed in my Intermediate Teaching Certification. I hit some bumps in the road (don't we all?) however. I have chondromalacia in my right knee. It is "anterior knee pain due to irritation of the cartilage on the undersurface of the kneecap." That made running hard and not something I would do more than necessary. I lost control of my weight and I need to lose a good 25 pounds. I also want to be a better black belt, more organized with my time, and do my checkbook every week. So those are my goals. I want to hear about YOUR goals.
But first, I want to give a great SHOUT OUT to DKM for awesome taking the bull by the horns and really achieving some SERIOUS goals.
- When I started in January I had a prominent limp and could walk on the treadmill for 10 min at 1.4 miles per hour. Now, I have no limp and walk 60 min at 3.5 miles an hour
- I’ve dropped over 40 pounds (that’s the 20 I gained after injuring my knee and more)
- Cut my food spending bill by not eating out as much - I'm hoping to cut it in half by the end of the year
- I can swim a mile
- I’m now drinking at least a liter of water a day
- Wearing clothing that I’ve not worn in 12 years
- Went for a hike for the first time in 15+ years
- I signed up to walk a 5K (and she succeeded in doing it!)
- Donated over 150 pieces of clothing & linens to the women’s shelter
- Donated 200 books and CD to my grandmother’s assisted living facility
- Gutted and cleaned two rooms of my house from top to bottom getting rid of everything and anything that I’ve not used in the past year. It was a lot of shit – and now it’s helping others. I love freecycle.com
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