How Do We Do It All? Not Forego Ourselves and Our Health? And... Not Feel Guilty?

Good Morning!

WOW! That title is a mouthful if I say so myself! I think this post might be for me a lot more than it might be for some of you who really have it together! You see, when I train and present to other educators, I have to immediately give them this disclaimer if you will.... I share with them that my mind whirls in thousands of directions which might sound appetizing to you; however, it's not at times I assure you! So, having an educational background, and more specifically knowing I am a right brain by heart and also knowing "I'm a squiggle..." (more on that because you have to figure out what shape personality you are too...) okay, so knowing these different things and then here comes the kicker... I am so ADHD wired for 220 voltage most all of the time. I know those of you who know me are laughing right now because you are saying, "Well, that explains it... I can see that for sure LOL." Nevertheless, of course, it gives me creative energy; however, it can also make me so frustrated and it's number one cousin is that word called, PROCRASTINATION! Ugh! I hate that word -- don't you? Well, I found a couple of tools this morning that may help us with this "bad to the bone" word and I am hoping that some of you may have some tools as well! One thing that I think that may help if this is a "bad word" to you too is to become more self-aware of yourself -- meaning -- know if you are functioning more with your (1) right brain hemisphere or your left brain hemisphere (see earlier post -- I included a link for you to be able to determine this!); and (2) determine your "shape personality."  You will love doing this and don't cheat! Here is what you need to do. Look at the shapes that I have included below and without knowing any other instructions, pick the shape that you think best resembles your personality! GO! Don't cheat! Here are the shapes:

Here is your link! Again, don't click on this link UNTIL YOU DECIDE! Also, some will refer to the last shape as a zigzag and some will refer to it as a squiggle! http://www.learning-mind.com/geometric-shapes-simple-and-unusual-personality-test/

I told you! It's fun! I use it all the time when working with different groups of adults in training sessions! So, now let's move on to some steps that might be helpful to us (me namely for sure) that might help us beat "PROCRASTINATION!" Here we go...

(Step 1:) Stop in the name of love and recognize that in fact you are in procrastination mode! So, I have a link here for you as well to help you better define procrastination -- of course, if your like me, I know when I am there i just don't like to admit it LOL but here's the link: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_99.htm Try it and see if it confirms what you were thinking. Okay, yes I scored a 29 and confirmed what I have stated to you thus far -- now what??

(Step 2:)  Reflect and try to figure out what's the deal? Just why in the world are you procrastinating? Is the task unpleasant? Are you disorganized (that's a whole other story for me...)? Are  you honestly overwhelmed by the task itself and can't figure out where to start? Decide where you stand!

(Step 3:) Adopt a set of strategies that you can put into motion that will help you tame or beat procrastination... your thinking... "yea, I would have already done that if I knew what they might be..." Okay, what might these strategies be: (1) Reward yourself ever so slightly for getting started on the task and/or completing the task; (2) Have someone be your accountability partner-- someone who knows that you might fuss when they ask you, "How's it coming?" Someone whom you know you don't have to have your guard up -- they will truly help you! (3) Identify why this task is unpleasant; make a list and look at this list! (4) Think about your "cost of time" to your employer... shame shame; (5) Promise yourself on a daily basis to eat the elephant first meaning tackle the big things first thing in the morning; (6) Use Einstein's Urgent/Important Principle (you have seen this in a previous blog post); (7) Make an old-fashioned "To-Do" list; (8) Get you a planner that allows you to look at a month at a time and then a day at a time -- work on mapping projects out that allow you ample time to have success; (8) Set goals in your planner and then put these aforementioned strategies into place to make them happen girlfriend!

I have included an image of the Einstein's Urgent/Important Principle to jog your memory! I will create you a printable of one of these quadrants for you to use as your "To-Do" list!

Einstein's Urgent/Important Principle
Time Management Quadrants

So, calling all Superwomen, here's your homework: (1) Right brain/left brain? (2) Shape personality? (3) Procrastinator? (4) Strategies that you find beneficial -- PUT THEM IN PLACE!

Stay tuned for a *FREE PRINTABLE* for your time management quadrants for a "To-Do" List!

Have a great Monday and be your best Superwom@n!

Terri

Source of Information: www.mindtools.com

Whew! Superwomen, It Has Been Busy!

I trust everyone is having a great Monday morning! I know that it has been a few days since we last discussed all those wonderful things things help us to be superwomen, and I apologize for that; however, mercy me, it's been a little exciting at my house! On Friday morning, I realized that I really needed to take "Belle Bullies Queen Rhea" back to the vet for a check-up because I knew that she was getting "ginormous" to say the least. So, off we went! I had to help her up in the car so I knew she was getting to the miserable point. I have been anxiously awaiting this time since I got "Herbert 'Jax' King Rhea" and "Belle Bullies Queen Rhea." Babies... babies... babies... English Bulldog babies... so I wondered if today (Friday) might be the day! Well, after examining and weighing her, it was discovered that she had gained 15 lbs. in one week exactly! Whew! Poor Gal! So, it was time for the c-section and time to get to see those babies! Well, mom did well with the section and you won't believe this but she had 11, yes, 11 big babies of all different color schemes... oh me oh my... I don't know how much you all might know about English Bulldogs but they must have a lot of help with their babies. Their mouths aren't designed to pick them up and move them around for nursing, etc. As well, if you have ever had a dog that had a c-section, they don't automatically bond with their babies for obvious reasons.... they are groggy and their bodies have to figure out what has happened since it didn't happen naturally. Henceforth, I know that I took care of three small baby boys at one time and that there were many sleepless nights with bottle feedings, etc.; however, I was anywhere from 21-24 years old! Have mercy on my soul! I'm 47, and this is some work folks! Now, I understand why "Bullies" cost a lot of money! Tons of "sweat equity" for these babies! We get  up every two hours, I set my stopwatch for 15 minutes and I let one group nurse. Then, when the timer goes off, I put that group back to bed and let the other group nurse, and then guess what, we do it all over again in two hours LOL. I'm exhausted and I am not the momma! Here are a few pics of our babies! We are so excited!

Belle says, "what have I gotten myself into?"

"I will just nap a little bit... just for a few minutes!"

Here's a close-up of all of the babies!

So, now you all see what I have been doing for the last three days with several more days to go! This brings me back to a topic that we have already investigated superwomen... that of how we manage our time -- that old monster and topic "time management." But, I want us to look at it from a bit of a different perspective this morning. Look at this quote and I think you will see where I am going with this:

Is this not profound? WOW! What gears are you not using adequately?

I would like you to think about that today in your hurried up pace! What gears are you not using that you have been "gifted with from God?" It is imperative that we use all of our gears to be all that we can be!

So, take a look at these two organizers as a start! Categorize all of your "to-dos" in these four quadrants and see if you can't take a stab at better managing your time and finding yourself able to "kick it into another gear... a gear that you haven't used in awhile!"

Use either of these and get on that bike and ride like you have never ridden before!

Have a great Monday and stay dry if you can! I will be here at home doing what... you guessed it being a nanny to 11 English Bulldog puppies!

Terri