Self Development
Hang On …
Well we have all had the feeling of “needing to hang on.” Maybe not in the way this baby is holding on, but in many other ways. That includes waiting for phone calls to be returned or people getting back to us. It may be waiting for a delivery! Or for people to pay their bills.
A Few Random, but Worthwhile Thoughts!
As a classic achiever, I want things done ASAP. Therefore, I navigate to people who are also achievers. They want quality, a good track record, and to accomplish things in a timely manner. Usually they are perfectionists who are constantly learning. They keep building, developing, and taking things to the next level.
Designs, goals, and appointments don’t always play out as we would like them to play out. We can set things up and move ahead to have our plans blocked by the inaction of someone else. We may find that term “soon” to one person means within a month to another.
As a result of these miscommunications, people get upset and feel a disconnect. Words are only one way of exchanging information. We have the written word and pictures to express ourselves. There are terms in each industry that may not be carried over into the other persons business.
Another form of communication is the email. When someone does not respond to me my email, I wait and try once more. Recently I sent out a couple of emails to the same person. They did not respond to me; I assumed they did not have the skills I needed. As a result, I took my business to another person. I was glad I acted to remedy this for the answer was simple and problem resolved within a few hours. It was worth paying them!
I have found that if I don’t have the answer for a client or the skills to help a patient, I know it. I will be the first to acknowledge that something may be out of my range. I gladly refer to them someone who does have the skill set needed.
A really reliable business person I know went out of her way for a client. She found that she had undercharged for all her work, but delivered timely and well. Lessons like that happen to all of us–or at least they have happened to me. In trying to be generous, we are often “used”. Expertise must be compensated appropriately. 
By the time we are adults or in the business world, we come to prepare ourselves. We build in backup plans. We may not have everything figured out, but we try.
We try to equip ourselves with the ongoing learning tools for our industry. This may include CEU’s for Professional Licenses. We make lists and use programs like Evernote to help us remember facts.
Hopefully, we master the calendar! Or we have managers and people around us who do what we don’t do well. We connect with many different people and they often help hold us up by teaching or showing us skills. We connect through Networking Groups and Social media to stay on top of the curve.
As the economy fluctuates, we try to adjust internally with our expenses and marketing strategies. So keep hanging on to the skills, people, and knowledge base you have. It is all worthwhile and supportive.
Hope your day is filled with success! See you tomorrow, Delight in Living!
Mini Miracles Welcomes Jim Haisler
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Hello Friends! Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments. Today our Guest is Jim Haisler, a local Businessman and CEO of Heartland Realtors Organization in Crystal Lake. Jim shares a time of transition in his life and the wonderful outcome it turned out to be for him and our community!
Linda also brings up the topic of the upcoming and annual Community Harvest in the conversation with Jim. Delight in Living and look for your Mini Miracles raining down upon you!
Jim Haisler
How Are You?
These words “How are you?” have lost their meaning. At one time, if someone asked you that question, they were asking you a genuine way. Now-a-days that question is used in place of “hello”. I am one of those people who ask it and mean it. I stand there until I get an answer. Most of the time it is obvious people do not want you to really answer them when they use it, so beware and prudent of who you share things with when asked.
But today I ask you, “And how are you?” Are things going well? Are you having issues with relationships? Is work going well for you, or would you like to change jobs? What is happening with your health? Do you have any aspirations? How are you family members?
Self development is an ongoing topic. The better one knows who they are and how they think, it is easier to enjoy life. Try to learn your own preferences and know how you react to circumstances and other people. Often coaching and/or therapy which depends on the needs can be enriching. The reality is that one can be very happy in spite of the difficulties around them.
I know a few people who do not share their feelings well. They bottle them out until they explode. That isn’t the best approach. Better to talk about things.
I grabbed a shot of this dog at a store one day. Animals often look so furious and have a really great disposition or just the opposite. Our Boxer Lord looked mighty mean and he was protective, but he would have been an excellent therapy dog. He was in fact very gentle and engaged well with people. He was the gentle giant that for all of us. When it came to my ailing parents, he would walk slowly beside them. My mother used to lean on him for support.
Do you know how you appear? Does you face communicate one thing and you feel another way? Often as people age, they look more serious. Think about that when you meet someone new. What does your non smiling face tell others? Are you sending a message that you don’t want to convey?
Have a great day! “Delight in Living” and look around you for the “Mini Miracles” that might just shine some good reflections back to you!
DON’T HIDE
I’d like to think we are all secure in the way we live our lives. The reality is that the way we internalize and perceive things makes us unique. It is easy to misinterpret interactions with other people. It begins when we are small children. Something makes us afraid and it stays with our subconscious mind. We may get lost and can’t find our way home. Simple things that are easily resolved seem alarming.
WHAT IS YOUR MASK?
I am going to use my dog as an example here. Our names are important. They identify us. The first thing we did was to change her name to a girls name. My husband though she was so gentle, but strong so he wanted the name Rose after the flower. It fits her perfectly. Since then we waver between Rose and Rosy.
When Rosy first came to us, she was afraid of cars, terrified of loud sounds, and loved children. I came to understand early on that it is the way we encounter our pets that helps recondition and teach them to trust. In many ways she is a different dog. She now loves to go for car rides and waits for me to put her rug in the car and adjust the seat. She promptly jumps on up and excitedly away we go. Sometimes I wish we had more places to visit. She no longer runs to her crate (without a door) to hide when someone raises their voice. Of course, it helps that we are pretty quiet people who don’t yell or get excited. Instead she takes in the commotion and will usually stick with me. The exception is firecrackers! Rosy still loves children and people. She has less of a regard for other dogs and likes being the Diva in our house.
My point in sharing this is that we can all relearn. We can come to appreciate ourselves and use our experiences to grow and feel confident. The patterns we create for ourselves are known as habits and they can be changed. Or course, the work must be done to insure that and want to make the changes. We need people around to reflection qualities back to us. Thank goodness for healthy mentors.
Education is another great way to find ourselves. I am not a big fan of online courses for everything. There is a lot to be said for sitting in a class with other people. We gain confidence and insight from those around us. We see the faces and frustration of learning others experience. We learn empathy and social skills that the internet does not teach. We in a sense become a team in a classroom.
Now there is a different “face” for online learning. People are not put out of their comfort zone. They stay anonymous and do not have to be put out of their way. This is another place where people hide behind a mask. They can present a hidden profile which is dangerous for themselves and others. Now online learning is the rage. For me, it has taught me many skills. However having said that, I also have 3 degrees and countless continuing education units that I have done in the classroom.
Don’t hide, mingle. Become a person with a soul, a face, and an open heart. Listen and thrive in a world of people who can be of help to you. Dress up, put on a smile, and join in the bigger world.
Delight in Living and see the many Mini Miracles that rain down on you! Small things are cumulative and add up. Small steps lead us to happiness and ongoing success. Step by step, we move forward.Listen to our Podcast Mini Miracles every Friday for small, but powerful insights! If just one little thing touches you, take it and claim it. Thanks and have a super day!
Critical Thinkers Are Needed
Critical thinking, where have you gone? I just read an article in The Wall Street Journal on Line. It was 8/30/16 issue in the Management & Careers section written by Kate Davidson. If I was a professor again, I would definitely be helping students learn more than textbook knowledge. As a matter of fact, I would love to go back and teach business skills.
Traveling and learning about other cultures helps us to be more culturally aware and sensitive to the needs of other people.
It has been apparent to me for some time now that there is a generation in need of soft skills. Skills that are often learned experiencially; often too late. Even today as I sat eating breakfast the girl who was a Hostess, did not know how to be conversational. Conversation calls for people to be well read, be comfortable with themselves, and listen well. I think she was able to listen, but didn’t know how to converse. She had one word answers and waited for others to ignite the communication. I saw her fumble for words. Whoever hired her for the position of hostess did not train her well.
Working for an organization means you are part of a team. You are able to sell them and in the process sell yourself. I haven’t seen much of that for a while now. Having watching the Cubs accept their kudos from their fans this week, I saw that quality. The players were excited, they worked as a team, and they sold each other as great coaches, bosses, management, and colleagues. Perfect.
So this article went on to say the larger firms are spending top dollars on “recruiting.” Companies are turning more to psychological testing. They want people who can communicate with ease. People who will sell the organization and be part of a bigger team. They want critical thinking, social savvy, and adaptability.
The need to be a creative thinker is also important. Sports, art, and being involved in volunteer situations teach these skill forms. They teach us to be entrepreneurs and self thinkers. They are skills developed by traveling and learning about other cultures, as well.
So I want to salute the larger families out there whose children are taught to share and to be flexible. If you are a smaller family, I encourage you to stay involved in church and community programs. Provide volunteering opportunities for your family to do together; it is so valuable.
Have a great day and of course, “Delight in Living!”
Simplicity – Less is More
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Hello Friends! Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments. This is your host Linda Gullo. Today it’s November 3rd, Thursday. It’s late in the day for me to be recording this. I have had a busy week and wanted to get this recorded. This week I was able to vote and follow through with a few personal appointments.
After thinking more was better for years, I have been learning to think in a different way. I now treasure the small things in life. So many of us are rushed and don’t get to enjoy the the people in our lives or the details in what we do. I see how many of us are all over indulgent with eating, playing, or work. For me it is the first and last. I don’t play enough. Let’s all think for a few minutes here about simplicity.
The daily encounters with people and the wisdom we can share with each other may seem so small, but it brings enormous joy when we let it happen naturally. Today I had the man who washes the office windows stop in the office. His wife was helping him with the front doors. It is a warm and beautiful fall day here in Illinois. The trees are bright yellows and orange. As they worked and talked with me, the time passed so quickly. I really learned more about them and the many wonderful things as they are preparing to have another child next year. What a great joy for them.
I enjoyed another conversation earlier with a delivery man. He volunteers working with an organization that reaches out to families and children. Embracing things that bring us comfort is always wonderful.
I enjoy hearing about the traditions people bring to holiday time. We hear of family recipes, or practices when it comes to sharing the good old times. As we go into the coming months, the weather will call more of us into indoor activities. It is time to celebrate fun and inexpensive gatherings.
Even the struggles we encounter may end up bringing us blessings and insight. The plan in these Podcasts is to help you like yourself and love life by enjoying and embracing daily events. In the coming months I will be interviewing and talking with other people here. I hope you’ll continues to join me and share with others.
Well, today there are so many happy smiling faces. I see the Cubbie Blue on the hats, teeshirts and sweatshirts around town. I want to embrace the next few months with all this excitement. Firecrackers were going off in the middle of the night after they played yesterday. Yes we Chicago raised kids are so happy to see the Cubs win the World Series. All of us are tired, because the game was long—-but oh so worthwhile!
Many of us have had past generations who missed out on the joy an excitement of this sports season, but we have been thinking about them a lot. It made me think about my mother-in-law who ironed in front of the television game after game. And my father, who rallied around the radio for each game. WGN sports was always on the radio when I grew up. Our Chicago teams were part of our lives.
When my parents grew up, the ball games were inexpensive and brought families together. It was a big deal. People would take public transportation to the games, get exercise in the process, and enjoyed the times together. Simple practices kept them in good shape and made life fun.
Which takes me to the next simple idea. Stringing popcorn or noodles for garland, tying ribbons around the pinecones, and recycling Christmas Cards for tags are good family activities. This year I want to make things easier and less stressful. Don’t you?
I have purposely scheduled in time with my friends to meet for breakfast or a light lunch. I began doing this in the last few weeks. Fall is an excellent time to plan reconnecting with people who I missed seeing over the summertime. Time to be like a sponge and just absorb friends and waste time on smaller projects.
I plan to add in walks with friends. A walk in the early morning or late evening can be refreshing and healthy. Every two weeks I am scheduling in cultural events, a movie, a museum, or a play. That I started in the Springtime and just look so forward to having the experience.
When I was a small child, our grade school had movies on Saturday mornings. The one thing I loved was a special on manufacturing. I recall seeing how packaging was created and how the trees on the West Coast were cut down and used for timber. I loved seeing how large industries and country farms worked. The printing presses showed how newspapers were made. Now I realize so many of these things are on television, but our children miss having the time together. We visited the Hostess factory as children and received fresh bread. Oh my goodness we were all full as we ate it on the way back on the bus. What a funny memory that is for me.
So I would love to have your stories shared with me. Where did you go as a child on a excursion with your school? What would you like your children or grandchildren to see or learn about? How can we connect on more regular schedule? Would any of you like to join me on a Podcast in the future months?
Until next week, stay true to yourself. Thank you for listening and for the feedback I have received. Know you can reach me at www.lindagullo.com. Feel free to sign up for the upcoming PDF’s on various topics, and handouts that will be coming regularly after the 1st of the year. Recognize the good people around you, the small joys that carry you forward and the laughable moments. Look for those Mini Miracles the help you to Delight in Living. Bye for now and have a great week.
This is not an exact translation, but pretty close for those who don’t listen to the actual podcast.
Influenced by Who or What?
There have been many people who had influence over us. Some set high standards for us to follow and a few have been negative. We all have a teacher or two that made us feel special. When our son was in 5th grade, he had a teacher with a special lamp sort of like the one in “I Dream of Genie.” It was located up high on a shelf. I couldn’t help but think how it elevated the imaginations of the children.
He also had an old glass display case that turned around. It was probably from a Hallmark or jewelry store. Inside he featured the science projects of the month that the kids were studying. These novel ways of show casing history and science made the learning more fun. Our son loved to go into school early. He began to read National Geographic and loved all the faraway places. I guess I relived part of my grammar school days with him.
In addition to teachers, there are family members that influenced us. I had an Uncle who always took time to chat with us. He just seemed to care. There was an old timer who lived nearby named Rudy. He was interesting to chat with on my evening walks. He always talked about history and living through the rough times. I miss our conversations.
Then there continue to be traffic signs, books, and traveling moments that influence how we think and or behave. There effect on us is subtle. As a child, I was intimidated by the written rules. They made me feel obligated to follow them even when no one was around to enforce them. Our generation was passive as children, but seemed to erupt as we aged.
I don’t always agree with signs, but some are intended for our safety. Signs are on buildings, on the corners of our cities, and inside institutions. They warn us of falling debris, broken streets or walkways, and electrical hazards. They direct us on how to get from one place to another. They can be demanding as well threatening us with fines or camera reinforcements.
I want to suggest an exercise for my readers. Make a list of the teachers you recall, the adults in your life, and the people who stand out in your life. Next to each name, write down what they taught you and whether it was good or bad. I did it and it was revealing. How it lends insight for you, too.
Next think of the places you have visited. Why did you go the
re? Was it on a vacation or business. Who was with you? How would the experience have been different if you were with others? What did you learn at each place?
Finally, how about all those toys that were either given to you as hand-me-downs? The bicycles, scooters, or pogo sticks that helped you find your coordination? Did you learn or where you influenced by any toys? I know I was. I had a bicycle that small and well used. Its chain would fall off often. It had no chain guard and I ruined lots of slacks that got caught in the black greasy chain. I had lots of fun on it, but learned that the simple joys could also be frustrating. I learned to be aware of safety guards on future mechanical items. No doubt, I learned to change into play clothes so I won’t wreck my good clothes!
Howdy Doody was a Ventriloquist doll given to me by a cousin. He was a “good boy” and kindhearted. I enjoyed his theme song and the stories from Buffalo Bob. Howdy Doody sparked my imagination. Just what would he say or do? He was one of the many puppets that kept us busy putting on shows. Puppets were able to say what they wanted without getting in trouble.
Life is good when we are with healthy minded people and doing things for the right reasons. It takes a turn for the worse when we are forced to do something or be with negative people. As adults we have to be aware of what or who manipulates us and our thinking. There are the politicians, the media, advertisements, and even the pharmaceutical companies. They derail us from thinking clearly. We get distorted ideas from incomplete or misleading information.
Today is All Soul’s Days, when Christians think of those who have influenced us and died. We pray for their souls. Hopefully we will have learned good things from those who walked ahead of us. “Delight in Living!”
Who Am I?
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Hello Friends! Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments. This is your host Linda Gullo. I treasure the small things in life the encounters with people, and even the struggles that often bring us insight. Each week I bring you a theme and thought provoking stories for these 10 to 15 minute episodes. The are based on simple ideas with upbeat and hopefully encouraging tidbits for you to take along. My plan is to help you like yourself and love life.
We all need to feel that we contribute to our world. That could be to your family, your community or to your business. What are your gifts? How do you contribute to the world around you?
On my wall in the office I have the saying. “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” What does that mean? 
We all dance to a different tune and that is the neatest thing we can do. Sometimes we are called us to dance in the rain or through less enjoyable moments. Life does have a way of moving us through good and bad times.
God made us all so unique and different from one another and we all have our roadmap to follow. I try to learn from those around me who accept things well. I guess that is the number one reason I enjoy people so much.
We are called down such different pathways and need one another to succeed.
In yesterday’s blog, I wrote about just being yourself. Well that is often hard, because we are mixture of so many things.
Who are you? Where are you going? What influences you the most? Do you think for yourself or are you easily persuaded to take on the opinions of other people? We try to fit in to the norms and culture early on. We often listen to and become Mini versions of our parents, siblings or cousins without even knowing it.
When things are congruent for us it is usually when we are comfortable in our own skin. We have foods we like and those we don’t. We have a style of learning and either enjoy reading or we don’t! Maybe we find a profession we love, and it makes it simple to stay on task for us.
Years ago I volunteered at a Resale Shop for over ten years. It was an awesome experience. I met so many other volunteers there. About 55 different people of various ages. Each had their reason for contributing to this Hospital owned enterprise.
It was an old tire factory. It had rooms for furniture, shelving for household stuff, and plenty of hanger space for clothes. The prices were reasonable, it was clean, and the brightness of the location made it fun.
Parking was ample for those who drove and the location was easy within walking distance of apartments and homes. I wondered for a long time why I was called there. Perhaps I will never know the real reason, but I have concluded that it helped me define who I am. Material things took on a new place for me. New and used merchandise flowed in and out quickly. Some of the older things took me back to my past and the new things gave me vision.
Vision is always been important to me. Vision to see the future and to plan on all the opportunities yet to be experienced is great fun. I understand however, that for others vision is a frightening place. They are comfortable with things as they are now.
It is when they have to perform to a new standard that the question of who am I trips in? Does one dress differently to fit into the standard of that profession? Does a company paying the salary want me to put my ethical standards aside? How far would you be willing to go to compromise your values?
With the current political races going on it may be harder than you think to be yourself. Do you know who will vote for during this election? Are those around you clearer in their thinking? Time like this call me to my knees in prayer that I make a decision and act in a way that will be right for me–congruent with who I am on a daily basis.
When we are trying to follow what the advertisements sell to us or fit into the values of our society it may be hard. It is not simply deciding on the color of a new car or the decision to bring a child into the world. We know how we stand on those measures. It is using our internal wisdom and insight to make a clear long term decision.
I happen to enjoy sports some of the time. Raised by a dad who loved the Chicago teams, I learned to recognize the value of being a sports fan. There are always things to talk about and it is a connection to other people.
I always loved basketball. In Junior High it was my favorite thing to do. I learned the rules and enjoyed the pace. In high school, I attended the Saturday night games with a passion and jumped up and down in the stands with friends. My dad was always willing to drop us off and pick us up. Thanks Dad!
While at DePaul University, I was a big fan of the Blue Demons. I’d talk to Coach Ray Meyer in the hallways of Alumni Hall. He was a great man who was a coach and basketball analyst for the school. I would attend the weekend games there and even after my graduation I continued until his retirement to follow along. He lived to be 92 and when he died, I felt great sadness. I felt so sorry for him after he retired, because his wife died within that first year.
Other than that, I was just too busy studying and trying to learn a profession to stay involved in watching sports. While working I found myself on a bowling league and loved being able to connect with those bowling on my team. It was a sport that I could embrace by doing it.
This year with the Cubs in the race for the world series I have been listening and paying attention again. A flame for the good old times has been lite again.
If one stands in the aisle of a drugstore in front of the cosmetics, you are bound to hear people sighing. Especially from one of those buying lipstick or toiletries, that they have discontinued a favorite item. It has happened to me on several occasions. The lipstick color I loved is no longer available. I was forced to do without or compromise to another one.
Changes happen and probably the best approach is to become involved. Follow the news, read often, listen to friends and commercials, but in the process stay true to who you are as a person. Design yourself in a way of being the best version you know how to be.
So this whole podcast has been about the past, the present, and the future. As this podcast takes on personality and influence of its own, I am in the process of getting a co-anchor and guests to join me on a regular basis. It will be a nice step forward in taking it to a new level.
Until next week, stay true to yourself. Thank you for listening and for the kind feedback I have received. Know you can reach me at www.lindagullo.com. Feel free to sign up for the upcoming PDF’s on various topics, and handouts that will be coming regularly after the 1st of the year. Recognize the good people around you, the small joys that carry you forward and the laughable moments. Look for those Mini Miracles the help you to Delight in Living®. Bye for now and have a great week.
What is in an Identity?
With the use of cell phones, selfies, and cameras so available, never was there a time when people had so many pictures of themselves. I must say there are few pictures of me or my family taken over the years. So many people I know also have that lack of photographs.
We have all lived through many times that we would have liked to record. I attended so many dances and college events, but have no record of these times. How I would have liked pictures of my sorority and fraternity moments. If there were photos taken, I have no idea of where they are now. Likewise, there are plenty of times when I am glad the camera was not around. Times when there was sadness and despair.
Here I have a photo of 4 different individuals. They are getting ready for plays, dances, and sports. Their physical identities change by the day and with each event, but their internal vision of who they are becoming is another thing. The reflection they get back from the people they admire the most is often what guides them. 
We all want to see different sides of who we can become. As the Cubs enter the World Series for the first time in 71 years, we too enter into another generation with every baby born. We see our youth transform from the time of birth until they are fully grown. If we are lucky enough, we go through their aches, pains, and growth spurts with them.
We are commissioned to help one another in the 2nd commandment. Love one another! Be kind and encouraging. It is hard to accepts ourselves, but I am always trying to help people like themselves.
In my generation, compliments were not tossed around much. We just knew certain things had to be done and we did them. There were few times when we were congratulated. Graduations were even low key. We were highly embarrassed not to succeed. We learned to pay our way through things we wanted to embark upon. I don’t think that was a bad thing. Earning one’s way is a good thing; it develops character and fortitude.
So start embracing who you are today. Seek to work on a better you every day. Chose friends wisely. Dump those times from your memory that aren’t so healthy. Keep building on the pillars of strength within. Make new friends and build relationships with people of character and a sense of humor.
Let those Mini Miracles start appearing more and more.
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Distractions
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Hi Folks, Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments. This is your host Linda Gullo with a podcast meant to empower you. I treasure the small things in life that fuel us the most. It is the encounters with people that brighten my day. I recognize that even the struggles we experience can bring us the best insight.
So each week I bring you a theme and a few stories for these 10 to 15 minute episodes. The are based on simple ideas with upbeat and hopefully encouraging tidbits for you to take along. My plan is to help you like yourself and to recognize the gifts you have been given. Check out lindagullo.com where you can get the show notes. I also share journaling aids, refer you to good books and offer daily insights. I’d like you to join me by leaving you email, so I can send you free and fun updates.
Well today I have been thinking of so many things. Like you, I am involved in daily life routines that seem to keep me moving at a fast pace. So this whole podcast is to discuss DISTRACTIONS because it is easy to get distracted from our action plans. That has happened to me in the areas of fitness, writing, and just being with friends.
Our distractions seem to multiply if we let them. The first step, as I see it, is to be aware of the obstacles that keep us from succeeding. I am currently trying to focus on my health and catching up on personal appointments. I usually tackle these things during Lent, but I have been on a different schedule this year. Now is a good time to begin checking them off my “to do” list, one at a time.
This week, I called to schedule having my eyes checked. As it turned out there was an opening the next day; no excuses now! So I went in, took care of things, and ordered new glasses. Why had I put it off? Fear of having something wrong was number one. Having it on my agenda was number two. And the expense, well sooner or later I needed to address it! But it’s over and I felt good having completed one thing.
3 months ago I started using Fitbit and have successfully tracked my steps every day; aiming for constant improvement. Now I will go up to the next level I scheduled for myself. I signed up for a membership at Planet Fitness and plan to start next week.
It may not sound like an excuse, but I usually care for everyone else and put myself last. Caring for others is a big distraction from self care. I do so much that I run out of time for me. And I bet that is true for you too.
My thinking gets distorted. Sometimes I think it will take too much time. Or it will cost too much to do what I want. A few years ago I decided I needed a vacation. AS SOON AS, I made the decision, things slipped into place. I began making phone calls, found a traveling partner, and got someone in place to cover the business. A granddaughter stepped up to plate to stay with my husband. My daughter in law and a friend would be checking on them as well. Next I ordered the plane tickets and got the tour planned. Suddenly we were on our way out of the Portugal to enjoy sites and meet new people. The trip was fun as we ended up with a Rotary group that had been in Spain and decided to add on time. Nothing was going to distract me from getting away once I made up my mind. I became fully focused.
Then there are my beloved Blogs which seem to address many ideas that can help us think things through and help us prioritize. Well, as I have been writing more this past week, I have also decided to reconnect with those people that I really enjoy. (Writing helps us find clarity). I have been scheduling in time for my friends for lunch or breakfasts. It means I have to be more accountable with the clock, but now my schedule is filling up with fun things to do. I need to stay engaged with people. I have been in the virtual world lately and crave one on one time with good friends.
At times even music can keep us from focusing and it has probably happened to you too. We begin to sing the lyrics or think of the message its sharing. It’s the power of suggestion that alters our thinking for that moment. Like an aroma from the kitchen that calls us to eat the fresh cookies, we are taken away from the current task at hand.
I have noticed that even when I am trying to be productive, I find distractions seem to pop up! These distractions are all around. The mail comes and there are literally 8 to 10 catalogues trying to sell me things that I don’t need. Yet it so easy to start reading them and poof suddenly 40 minutes of time is wasted. Another pile of paper is created to carry offer to recycling. At least it will benefit others if I take it to our church for bins. They recycle tons of paper for cash to help those in need with their expenses. See how easy it is to get distracted?
The daily newspaper, which I recently reordered was meant to keep on top of the community events. When it comes– and I scan the major topics, eliminate the advertisements, read the obituaries and say a quick prayer for those who have died. I find since I renewed it, I then get caught up again with the Sudoku and puzzles. That is also time that I could have used for something else.
Yesterday I sat down at the computer to write a blog. I like to do that early, but I became distracted when the phone began ringing. The first call was a google sales call and it totally removed my train of thought. To refocus was difficult.
Doing billing, filling out insurance forms, and returning phone calls is also essential so I tackle those things immediately. I am always attempting to keep focused. I eventually did get back to the blogging site.
In trying to prioritize, I actually folded up my sewing machine earlier this week. I have decided that this old hobby is not enjoyable when I have to rush doing projects. I will have to return to it after the Holidays, unless something essential needs mending—because for now I have to work on my blogsite and podcasting episodes.
You are perhaps in a similar spot. Working to create a good income, trying to put family first, and staying healthy. Distractions seem to creep in here too. All it takes is one cancelled appointment or flaw in the schedule and things get lost causing us to regroup and strategize.
Tranquility
I have and continue to schedule time in each day for prayer. For time to meditate and filter things out. When I get off of that routine, I really seem to lose it all. I get irritable and feel overwhelmed. It is during this time I find encouragement, guidance, and direction. This quiet time allows me to hear the roar of the Holy Spirit.
At home distractions are even worse. The doorbell rings with some silly sales interruption. The dog needs to go out, as soon as, I have settled in to read a book. I look at the clock and realize my stomach and the clock are telling me it is time to eat. Then there is clean up time, brushing my teeth, before getting back to the project at hand.
I am trying to escalate my on line presence in order to connect with people more on a regular basis and coach more people. I want to help you recognize your strengths and step ahead too. But I am sharing this because we are all the same in so many ways.
We want to be productive, happy and enjoy life.
SO here are a few tips that might help:
1- Don’t become a slave to your phone, emails, or distractions. One of my coaches suggested to stop looking at emails until I get to the office. This has helped me and I hope it helps you. We don’t have to be a slave to those communications on an hourly basis.
2- DO WHAT YOU HAVE PLANNED!
Next I take care of what is scheduled and then go to emails. I rather be in control of those on my time line. I discard all the advertisements and unfollow or delete them. If they are spam–well it is GOODBYE!!
I schedule post office runs into my routine so all my mail gets out. Billing is done daily for insurance billing and any bills due are processed before I leave the office.
3- USE A TEMPLATE
I have been learning that those who do the most and are the most efficient, use templates. So I have started creating my own templates to get things done well.
Every night I go to my template for the next day and fill it out. If you are interested in a copy, please feel free to email for it and I will send it to you. It is so very helpful. It’s short and to the point.
I print out a dz at a time and have them readily available. At night I fold it in half and carry it around before I go to bed, to add on things as they come to mind. They have become an efficient lifesaver.
4- SCHEDULE IN LEARNING TIME. I am a webinar learner in addition to CEU classes. I have learned that I allow 2-3 Webinars a week at the most or I lose too much time. Schedule in time to read, to watch TV, to learn, & phone time with family members. I have to eat so I am scheduling in visits with my friends during those times.
So here is a toast to fewer distractions for you.
Until next week, stay true to yourself. Thank you for listening and for the kind feedback I have received. Know you can reach me at www.lindagullo.com. Feel free to sign up for the upcoming PDF’s on various topics, and handouts that will be coming regularly after the 1st of the year. Recognize the good people around you, the small joys that carry you forward and the laughable moments. Look for those Mini Miracles the help you to “Delight in Living®.” Bye for now and have a great week.