Quotes

Courage faces fear and thereby masters it.  – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Quotes

People tend to make rules for others and exceptions for themselves.

thought...

I had a conversation with a friend this week...she told me that life is more complicated than it needs to be...been thinking about this the last few days. It is so true!

What are you doing to make it Simple? Uncomplicated? Peaceful?

Quotes

You can't manage time....everyone gets the same amount and it never changes no matter what you do! Time is like a suitcase, some people just know what to pack and others don't ever have enough room. Some people try to pack other peoples suitcase for them.....not good.  Have the vision and knowledge to pack wisely!  - Jonathon Smith

thought...

I am so ready for new events...new changes...new things to look forward to...new drama...forgot, that only comes with the new heaven & new earth!

Quotes

We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.  - Jim Rohn, Motivational Coach

thought...

His plan is perfect, and mine is not. His plan has all the answers, mine does not. I must have faith...I must trust...I must rest so that I can have peace.

verse to reflect on...

You will never exhaust God with your worries. You will never reach the end of his ability to hear or handle your fears. You will never disappoint him with the amount of times you cast your anxiety on him.  Why?  Because he cares for you, he cares for me, he cares for us! 

I Peter 5:7  Putting all your troubles on Him, for he takes care of you.   [BBE]
I Peter 5:7  Casting all your anxiety upon Him, for he careth for you.  [ASV]

Quotes

If you work hard at your job, you can make a living; but if you work hard on yourself, you can make a fortune. 
–Anonymous

verse to reflect on...

But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. - Psalm 3:3

Reminds me that I am a Princess of the King!

Quotes

We must look for the opportunity in every difficulty instead of being paralyzed at the thought of the difficulty in every opportunity.
- Walter E. Cole, Korean War Hero

FREE Credit Report

Do you check your credit report?  Do you know that you can get a report for free from all 3 credit reporting agencies?  Yah, I know there are sources out there that say they are free, but you have to pay this monthly surcharge, this is not one of those.  They are 100% FREE.  Promise!  I will mention, you do have to pay to learn your credit score, but that is optional.  I have done that once, but typically do not do that unless I am interested in learning the figure for some important reason (like to help me with a purchase), but currently, I am not looking to purchase anything on credit (such as a house or car) so its of no value to me! 

So...before you forget, go get your report at www.annualcreditreport.com.  Click one or all three reporting agencies and view your report.  Mark your calendar to do this again next year. 

TXTng & DRVng...IT CAN WAIT

If you are like me, you like to text.  You can send a quick message without interrupting someone on the phone.  They can respond when they have time.  Or do they?  Do they feel they need to send you a reply ASAP?  I do.  So if you are like me, you have developed a bad habit of texting and driving at the same time, you multitask and get as many things done at the same time.  Last year an awful video clip went around about a girl who text messaged while driving and was killed.  It was graphic as to her face, the bleeding, the screams of her friends in the car, etc.  I won't put that video clip in this post because it is a tough one. 

In March 2010, AT&T created a docmentary for the "Don't Text & Drive" Campaign.  Watch it here.  What are your thoughts now after watching that? 

I personally have done much better at texting & driving since I saw that graphic video last year, but it helps me to be reminded of my commitment and desire to support AT&T (yes, even though I am a Verizon customer) in their "Don't Text & Drive" Campaign.

If you are a texter, may I ask you to pledge never to text and drive?

YearInReview for 2010

I subscribe to Seth Godin's blog and he has a lot of great thoughts, many many times.  This post was one of those and has intrigued me to reflect on my year for 2010.  He states:  "This might be a useful exercise. Doesn't matter whether it was a hit or not, it just matters that you shipped it."  I plan to do this post both on my personal and business blogs.


Here's a basic list from the 2010 year with some of the highlights in my personal life:

• met my 6 months emergency fund goal this year for both general bills and medical bills
• hired someone to create a fake red brick wall in my living room, something I have always wanted in my house!
• lost my job in August 2010, which in turn taught me I can live on the basics and be very happy
• had my brother here in Texas for one full year and spent time reconnecting with him after 10 years & helping him try to work thru issues
• started the Allergy Shot program after testing last November 2009 to improve immune system
• took a random day off work and spent it being lazy with one of my girlfriends
• had two big garage sales that created enough income to make my house payment
• went and saw The Sound of Music singalong movie
• did the zip line at Beaumont Ranch with a girlfriend
• gave 10% of my gross income to Charity
• read/listened to 2 books a month
• learning there are a lot of things in life you can't fix or change, Let Go

Here's a basic list from the 2010 year with some of the highlights in my business life:

• logo was finalized and stationary produced
• website was launched March 2010
• created a business blog with weekly articles
• started attending Networking events in August, have met some really great business people to refer to and coordinate business with
• was offered and accepted a Board Member position with Cowtown Netweavers
• was offered and accepted Treasurer position with Network for Enterprising Woman
• obtained 3 additional Clients, all which utilize my business services PRN
• business revenue down 15%, with net profits just the same as last year even with increased marketing expenses
• gave a speech 10.22.2010 @Networking for Enterprising Woman on my life
• gave a speech 11.03.2010 @Cowtown Netweavers on What Is Success?
• gave Dave Ramsey's book Financial Peace Revisited to every attendee at the networking meeting on 12.01.2010 @Cowtown Netweavers with the goal to inspire each person to be Debt Free
• gave Dave Ramsey's book Financial Peace Revisited to every Client & Client's staff as a year end gift with the goal to inspire each person to be Debt Free

Seth's suggestion: 
"You'll probably be surprised at how much you accomplished last year. Go ahead and share with your friends, colleagues or the web... don't be shy."  So I challenge you to do the same!


If that is not for you...try this:
The Simple Dollar, another blog that I follow, suggests:  
Think of the five best things that happened in 2010. What were the best things that happened in your life this year? What new relationships did you build? What ones did you reaffirm? What goals did you achieve? What changes occurred in your life that put you in a better place?


I would love to hear your thoughts...please share with me as I have done with you!

2011 Goals & Resolutions

Each Year, I create my list of Goals & Resolutions for both personal and business goals, but the last 2 years I started publishing them on my blog also.  In 2009 I also did quarterly updates on my blog as to what type of progress I had made towards this goal.  In 2010, I only did 2nd quarter & 4th quarter updates.  If you wish to review 2009 Goals & Resolutions or 2010 Goals & Resolutions, click on the links, you can search for the quarterly updates too.  I had 5 goals in 2009 and 10 for both personal and business in 2010. This year, I am creating only 5 as I felt I had better results with less.

personal goals

#1 create and implement Balance in all areas of the wheel of life (spiritual, physical, intellectual, family, social, career, and financial - each of these have goals within them listed below):

spiritual
begin each day in prayer that God direct me in my path & integrity of my heart; read a chapter or some of favorite verses; remember Sunday is renew your spirit day, no business work stuff

physical
commit to a workout schedule 3-4 times weekly; log into sparkpeople.com daily; resume diet with no wheat, sugar or trans fats - eating lots of raw vegetables; take all vitamins & supplements daily; get 8hrs or more of sleep which means I have a set schedule when I go to bed & when I get up each day

intellectual
read 2 and/or listen to 2 audio books a month, at minimum; blog about each with a book review highlighting my nuggets and take-aways

family
spend an evening every two weeks at the home of someone I consider my family (since I don't have family in Texas)

social
email a few of my friends weekly; call a few of my friends once a month; write my friend in prison once a month; entertain company once a month on Saturday night or Sunday afternoon; schedule a lunch date weekly with a girlfriend

career
focus on building the business with 1-3 new clients in 2011 (more on this section below)

financial
pay off 2nd mortgage by the end of 2011; keep budget simple at basics; try to implement the $3 a day/$1 a meal food budget; will resume scheduled savings when more clients or other work is obtained (savings was cut to a minimum with the loss of my job in August 2010)


#2 motto for the casa: A Place for Everything & Everything in its Place (borrowing a quote from the Pottery Barn catalogue a few years ago)
which means organize, cull, condense, minimize, sell or use up things in & around the casa - attack a section of a room for 15-20minutes a day; weekly list items on eBay & Craigs List.


#3 lead a quiet life, one that creates peace; remove anything that doesn't contribute to this


#4 Think on Good Things...don't be negative


#5 Schedule one weekend a month off - just for me, creating me time or fun plans



business goals

#1 obtain 3 new Clients this year with the goal of one a quarter


#2 complete design of business marketing materials: postcard & brochure by February 1st, 2010


#3 Home Office remodel will be completed by mid-January 2011


#4 enroll in accounting courses to further education -spring 2011; take a course in Microsoft Office to learn more about graphs and pivots


#5 review EntreLeadership materials quarterly for refreshment & encouragement (rehearse, execute, review); check in with EntreLeadership friends to motivate, encourage, gather ideas, share and cheer each other on success;  review & define motivation, delegation, responsibility, accountability, and authority in my position so that I have a clear picture in view to stay focused on what I expect of me & my team

its a new year...

This is a great week to give thanks for things, people, and events in your life. Recognize the wealth you have in relationships, health, beautiful surroundings, and spiritual hope. And no matter what is happening in your job/life right now - approach the New Year as a new beginning. Maybe now is your time to simply give thanks for a new opportunity.